Coronavirus: COVID XBB.1.5 more 'cold-like'; how to know if you have COVID or common cold

With new emerging variants and the mass availability of COVID vaccines, the SARs-CoV-2 virus has not only evolved in terms of severity, but also changed with regard to its symptoms. Initially, besides battling symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue, and loss of sense of smell and taste, people had to also deal with serious complications including shortness of breath, chest pain, and low blood oxygen levels. However, a lot changed with the coming of the Omicron variant. The latest of its sub variants XBB.1.5 being tagged as the 'most transmissible strain' so far.


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The WHO’s COVID-19 technical lead, Maria Van Kerkhove said that XBB.1.5 is “the most transmissible sub-variant which has been detected yet".

However, the symptoms of the latest Omicron subvariant is more “cold-like than flu-like”.

According to Gavi, the vaccine alliance, this is particularly true among patients who have been vaccinated or have had the infection before.

Reports also suggest that symptoms of XBB.1.5 are somewhat similar to those of the previous Omicron strains.


Also read: How COVID is affecting heart health: Key points on complications, symptoms

Both common cold and COVID are respiratory infections that spread from person to person through droplets that come from the nose and mouth. But it is crucial that you know that both the infections are different.

Currently, symptoms like sore throat, runny nose, headache, body ache are said to be some of the most common symptoms of the XBB.1.5 variant, which are also akin to symptoms of common cold. However, while COVID is caused by the SARs-CoV-2 virus, common cold can occur due to four coronaviruses - rhinoviruses being the most common.

As compared to COVID, common cold has a shorter potential incubation period, causes specific symptoms and has a lower risk of complications and fatality.

If you have any of the symptoms resembling a cold or a COVID-19, the best way to tell them apart is by getting a COVID test. In case your symptoms persist for over 2-3 days, it is important that you take a COVID-19 diagnostic test for an accurate result. You can choose to get an RT-PCR test or a rapid antigen test.

Both COVID and common cold are transmissible. That said, regardless of whether you have COVID or not, if you have symptoms, isolation is key.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) updated COVID-19 guidelines, the isolation period has been reduced to 10 days from the date of symptom onset. Furthermore, if COVID-19 patients test negative on an antigen-based rapid test, they can be discharged prior to the isolation period.

In addition, for those who test positive for COVID-19 but do not have any signs or symptoms, an isolation period for 5 days is recommended (in the absence of testing).

Amid new emerging COVID variants, adhering to a COVID-appropriate behavior is extremely crucial.

Wearing masks, maintaining social distance and following proper hand hygiene are important steps towards curbing the spread of infections.

Experts also recommend receiving vaccines and booster shots against the virus. While breakthrough infections are still prevalent, the COVID jabs are said to protect against severe illness.