Your dad is sick. He’s feverish, coughing, and so very tired. How can you tell if he has the flu, a bad cold, or COVID-19? What if it’s something else? Check out the differences between them.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Each?
Determining if it’s the cold, the flu, or COVID-19 can be tricky as symptoms vary from one person to another. For many people, COVID-19 causes a loss of taste or smell. That can help you determine if your dad could have COVID.
While the flu and COVID can cause fevers, coughing, and lethargy, the flu is not likely to impact taste and smell. Your dad’s body may ache with the flu, especially the joints.
A cold is often less severe than the flu or COVID. A runny nose and cough are common symptoms. Depending on whether it’s a head cold or a chest cold, the congestion will be noticeable in different body areas. A head cold will have your sinuses congested and may cause a headache and sinus pain, while a chest cold may have more of a cough and congestion when you take a deep breath.
Your dad may have a virus that doctors don’t feel is any of them. He could be experiencing allergies to things in the air or in foods he’s eaten.
What Do You Do If You Suspect Your Dad is Seriously Ill?
What if your dad seems to be having difficulty eating and drinking enough? He’s struggling to stay awake. His fever is high, and it’s worrying you.
Call his doctor if you have any concerns. He may need to go to the office and get tested to determine if it’s the flu, COVID-19, or a cold. Some viruses don’t fit into any of those categories, and you’ll learn what to do to help your dad recover.
If your dad’s doctor recommends he goes to the hospital, ask about home care services. With a balance of caregivers and home health nurses, he may be able to avoid a stay in the hospital. It never hurts to ask and see what his doctor thinks.
When your dad is sick, make sure he’s supported with the care services he needs. With 24-hour home care services, your dad has someone awake and ready to help. If he wakes at 2 a.m. and needs a drink, his caregiver is there.
Make arrangements for 24-hour home care services today. Pick up the phone, call and talk to a specialist, and schedule the care he needs until he’s feeling better.
Your dad’s fine, but you’re not. If you’re sick, don’t spread your virus to him. Let caregivers provide 24-hour respite care services until you’re healthy again.