Coronavirus: When should you take a COVID test if you have cold symptoms?

The SARs-CoV-2 virus has evolved a lot during the course of the pandemic. With emerging variants, not only have we seen a decline in the rate of severity, but the symptoms have also taken a milder turn. Classic cold symptoms like sore throat, mild fever, cough, headache and runny nose have come to become more prevalent in COVID-19 patients, leading to confusion between coronavirus illness and common cold. Amid such uncertainty, COVID tests have become an effective tool to differentiate between the infections.

Also read: Elon Musk says “felt like dying after the second COVID shot”

COVID-19 and common cold are respiratory illnesses that may differ in their degree of severity, but are transmitted in the same way. Both viruses can spread from one person to another through respiratory droplets released when someone breathes, coughs, sneezes, talks or sings. However, both these illnesses are different.

According to the Mayo Clinic, COVID-19 symptoms usually start 2 to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. But symptoms of a common cold usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to a cold-causing virus.

"Unlike COVID-19, a cold is usually harmless. Most people recover from a common cold in 3 to 10 days. But some colds may last as long as two or three weeks," the health body adds.

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

Some of the most common COVID symptoms that can also coincide with common cold include:

- Sore throat

- Cough

- Muscle aches

- Tiredness

- Sneezing

- Runny or stuffy nose

- Fever

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you have symptoms, you must test immediately.

In case you were exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, the health body recommends waiting at least 5 full days after your exposure before testing. If you test too early, you may end up getting an inaccurate COVID test result.

If you develop symptoms, experts advise taking all the necessary precautions to curb the spread of the infection. This includes self-isolation and maintaining distance from those who are most vulnerable in the society.

Get yourself tested and avoid contact with people until you receive a negative test result. However, even if you test negative, pay heed to any development of symptoms for the next 10 days. If you develop symptoms, isolate yourself right away, and get tested again.

Even though COVID-19 symptoms are milder and more manageable, it is important to follow a COVID-appropriate behavior. This is specially to protect those who are vulnerable and at an increased risk of severe coronavirus infection. Older adults, immunocompromised people and those with pre-existing chronic conditions are still at risk of hospitalization and death.

COVID testing can help confirm your diagnosis, giving you a clearer picture of how you should proceed further.