Is it a cold or Covid?

CAMILLA FOSTER ASKS EXPERTS FOR ADVICE ABOUT WINTER BUGS

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WITH headlines buzzing about new Covid variants, it's becoming increasingly difficult to tell whether that scratchy throat or runny nose is a sign of Covid or just a typical seasonal cold.

To help clear up the confusion, we spoke to those in the know.

What causes a cold and what causes Covid?

"Colds are caused by a bunch of different viruses, but the most common culprit is the rhinovirus, a tiny troublemaker that loves to set up camp in your nose and throat," explains Dr Chun Tang, GP at Pall Mall Medical. "Covid, on the other hand, is caused by a single virus, SARS-CoV-2, a type of coronavirus.

"Both attack your respiratory system, but Covid tends to go deeper, sometimes affecting the lungs."

What is the new strain of Covid and how is it different?

Stratus (XFG) and Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) are some of the newest strains of Covid that have been dominating headlines recently.