As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s natural to wonder how this outbreak compares to previous ones. In particular, many people are curious about the differences between the symptoms associated with different diseases.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most significant differences between COVID-19 and previous outbreaks, including influenza, SARS, and MERS. By understanding what sets COVID-19 apart from other diseases, we can develop a better understanding of how this outbreak is likely to evolve and how we can protect ourselves and our communities.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and has since spread across the world, causing a global pandemic.

The symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe, and some infected individuals may not experience any symptoms at all.

Symptoms of COVID-19

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu. However, there are some differences that can help doctors distinguish between COVID-19 and other diseases.

Flu vs. COVID-19 Symptoms

The flu, or influenza, is a common respiratory illness that affects millions of people every year. Some of the most common symptoms of the flu include:.

Fever or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue
Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)

While the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of the flu, there are some key differences to be aware of:.

Loss of taste or smell, which is not a common symptom of the flu
Shortness of breath, which can be severe and life-threatening in some cases
Fever is a common symptom of both COVID-19 and the flu, but it tends to be higher and more persistent with COVID-19
Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure, while flu symptoms typically appear within 1-4 days after exposure

SARS vs. COVID-19 Symptoms

SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, is another disease caused by a coronavirus. Like COVID-19, SARS originated in China and spread around the world in 2002-2003.

While SARS was not as widespread as COVID-19, there are some similarities between the two diseases.

Some of the symptoms of SARS include:.

Fever
Dry cough
Shortness of breath
Headache
Muscle aches
Malaise (a general feeling of discomfort)

While many of the symptoms of SARS are similar to those of COVID-19, there are some key differences:.

SARS tends to cause more severe breathing difficulties than COVID-19
SARS is more likely to be accompanied by diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms
SARS symptoms tend to appear more suddenly than COVID-19 symptoms
SARS has a higher mortality rate than COVID-19, with a fatality rate of around 10%

MERS vs. COVID-19 Symptoms

MERS, or Middle East respiratory syndrome, is another coronavirus disease that was first identified in 2012. Like SARS and COVID-19, MERS is primarily a respiratory illness.

Some of the symptoms of MERS include:.

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat

While the symptoms of MERS are similar to those of COVID-19, there are some key differences:.

MERS causes more severe respiratory symptoms than COVID-19
MERS is less contagious than COVID-19 and is primarily spread through close contact with infected individuals
MERS has a higher mortality rate than COVID-19, with a fatality rate of around 35%