First Aid

COVID-19, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are together driving a wave of respiratory illnesses.

But all three have very similar symptoms that overlap.

Wait, what's RSV again?

It stands for respiratory syncytial virus, which causes respiratory infections.

RSV is one of about 200 viruses that can cause a cold — which is very common.

Most cases of illness caused by RSV are mild.

But it can lead to serious illness for young children, the elderly and people with immunosuppressive conditions.

Contracting the virus can lead to chest infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

It can also cause ear infections and the coughing associated with the illness can worsen asthma symptoms.

Usually, the first symptoms are:

Typically, most cases go away after about two weeks.

All three have very similar symptoms that overlap.

COVID, influenza and RSV are all respiratory diseases.

They have differences in the characteristics of the illnesses they cause, how they are transmitted and their impact.

COVID poses the biggest risk to those who are older
RSV poses the biggest threat to young children
Inflluenza poses the biggest threat to young children, older adults and pregnant women.

These are the symptoms for each.

Signs and symptoms	COVID-19	RSV	Flu

Fever	Sometimes	Sometimes	Common
Cough	Common	Common	Common
Sore throat	Common	Sometimes	Sometimes
Shortness of breath	Sometimes	Sometimes	Rarely
Fatigue	Common	Sometimes	Common
Loss of taste and/or smell	Sometimes	Rarely	Sometimes
Body aches/pain	Sometimes	Rarely	Common
Headache	Common	Sometimes	Common
Stuffy/runny nose	Common	Common	Sometimes
Diarrhoea	Rarely	Rarely	Sometimes (in children)
Sneezing	Common	Sometimes	No
Vomiting	Sometimes	Rarely	Rare in adults/common in children

Source: healthdirect/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention