COVID-19 vs. Flu vs. RSV: How to tell the difference between respiratory infections

The flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are all highly contagious respiratory infections caused by viruses: The flu by influenza virus, COVID-19 by SARS-CoV-2 virus, and RSV by respiratory syncytial virus. It is possible for a person to be infected with multiple viruses at the same time. Suffering from flu RSV or COVID-19?
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[Midknight_Trucker]

I am slowly getting over RSV and I can tell you that I have never been so sick in my life. As someone who is immune compromised, this RSV has hurt me tremendously. Shortness of breath and wheezing have been a common element with RSV for me and the overall fatigue level is bad. I do not wish this on anyone

[ilovetotri]

I'm certain I had RSV, low grade fever for a week. Tons and tons of mucus. Started doing a nasal rinse. About 2 weeks later I was doing better but not 100%. One night I came home and I felt really sick within an hour. I spiked a fever of 105.7. My primary care doctor ordered a RSV/COVID/FLU test. It came back positive for influenza A. I immediately started Tamiflu. I was back to work in 5 days. My physical health is 100% again. My insurance hit me with a bill for $1000 for the test. Mental health suffering...

[stokeswait]

I got rsv, dude let me tell you, i have never felt this sick before, i didn't get a fever, i had it about 2 weeks, finally over it, still have a slight dry cough but im good. I was so weak i couldn't do anything, light headed, i was coughing up clear mucas for like a week straight, it was absolutely the most annoying sickness I've ever had, I took Mucinex extra strength and it definitely helped! But it was torture, took lot of vitamins etc it seems like 2 weeks is when the rsv virus dissipates, about that time line

[reneeleegreco]

I was born with respiratory issues & notice people have poor hygiene. People will go out shopping etc when they’re sick and /or drag their sick children out

[briangriffiths]

Very effective short explanatory video.

[Humandesignmagyarul]

Finally a video that actually explains this. Thank you

[crazydoxies]

I’m still dealing with RSV 7 days in. Misery. Fever, sore throat, chest pain and so much productive phlegm. The first 2 hours in the a.m. are a misery with coughing up gunk until I vomit. The coughing is miserable. Tested negative for influenza and covid.

[jim]

Excellent doctor Hanson thank you so much for posting this.

[SanaaStark]

Glad i found this video. Its the second time in 3 weeks that Im experiencing covid- flu 🤒

[sandylewis]

Not sure about the Covid 3-5 days incubation. I have had it 3x now, and each time I developed symptoms 1-2 days after exposure.

[lisam]

Me and my family all caught covid from the same source in Sept. ‘23, and for ALL of us, our symptoms were not as described in this video. We all came down with symptoms within 24-30 hrs of exposure, and started with mild sore throat that slowly worsened over the first 24 hrs to feel like we were swallowing glass w/gradually worsening throat congestion, fevers of 100-103F with extreme fatigue and aches. The dry cough is the only symptom that matches the description in this video. Just sharing in case it helps.

[mellocello]

It would be nice to have a white board u the entire time with symptoms listed for each. Not going to commit all this to memory. But thanks for the topic.

[thefpvlife]

So sad that science doesn’t want to fix it but creates medicine to deal with it. It’s always about the money

[valnsky]

This is super super Dr Mike you are the best

[Healthyhealings]

Hi Doc, I just had quad test at my doctors office and had RSV. Now I’m a 44 male and let me tell you I have NEVER felt sicker than I do now! This RSV IS NASTY! Fever, wheezing, cough and short of breath plus EXTREME body aches… why do you suspect it is this bad? ( I know that’s probably hard to answer)

[Carolmaizy]

I'm almost recovered from what the doctor said is a viral infection, that started on Nov. 16. I baby-sat my 3 year old great nephew (who started daycare in Sept) on a Monday. By Thursday I had a runny nose and eyes, sore throat and cough. On Friday I had vomiting and 102 fever, aches, chills, loss of appetite and fatigue. Head and chest congestion but mucus stayed clear throughout the entire three weeks, and no chest pain. At the doctor's on Monday I had no fever and tested negative for Covid, strep, and flu. Monday night my fever was 101.8 and I had laryngitis. I was in bed for 7 days and lost 12 lbs in two weeks. My recovery has been slow but I'm better, have gained back two pounds and can be more active now, although my energy is still low. I'm 66, and this is the worst cold virus I've ever had.
I had a flu shot and two Shingles shots this year. I'm getting the shots for Covid, RSV and pneumonia as soon as I'm healthy again- hopefully before it's too late.

[janjans]

Exactly the question i googled yesterday! Thanks Doc!

[MadHatterDJ-]

I have no idea when I was exposed to what I believe is a heavy cold. But at 3pm I was fine, at 4pm I felt like death 🥺 You forget how horrible the common cold feels until you catch it.

[Rose-ydbn]

Your are the best, thank you! Happy Holidays to you, God Bless you. 🙏💕🙏

[cathyurratio]

Was Covid (+) and had high fever for 4 days, forceful wet cough for 2 weeks so bad I pulled a muscle in my back. Sore throat never really went away. No body aches, but was so weak I could barely get out of bed and when I did move, it just triggered a coughing fit. no idea where / when I was exposed. First time getting Covid and I’m a normally healthy, fit 60 yr old. Horrible 2 weeks.