What is the difference between the flu, a cold and COVID-19?

Influenza are a group of viruses that are responsible for the disease we commonly call the ‘flu’.

It is a disease that is spread from person to person during coughing or sneezing or by direct contact with respiratory secretions (e.g. saliva, nasal discharge). It can cause a wide range of disease, from mild to more severe disease that affects many body systems and can result in hospitalisation, other infections (e.g. pneumonia) and even death.

The common cold is also caused by a virus, and also affects the airways, but generally tends to be milder than the flu. Colds do not usually cause serious complications or require hospitalisation.

COVID-19 comes from a large family of viruses called coronaviruses. It is transmitted in the same way as the flu, with similar symptoms, but severe disease appears to be higher for COVID-19.

So is it the flu, a cold or COVID-19? Often testing is required to know for sure, but here are some general ways you can distinguish some of the symptoms:

Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ) and Australian Government, Department of Health.