Cold vs COVID: 20 Key Differences Everyone Should Know

Lau Racciatti

15. Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss

sick female has bad cough, sitting on bed at home, drinking hot tea and working on laptop. Photo Credit: Envato @Albertshakirov

The common cold usually doesn’t significantly impact appetite, though some may experience a temporary loss of taste due to nasal congestion. However, COVID-19 often leads to a noticeable loss of appetite, even in those who don’t experience nausea or vomiting. Some patients report losing a significant amount of weight during their illness due to prolonged fatigue, nausea, and changes in taste perception.

16. Night Sweats and Chills

Pretty woman lying in the bed on orthopedic mattress hiding her face with one hand. Photo Credit: Envato @insidecreativehouse

One lesser-known but telling symptom of COVID-19 is night sweats—intense sweating that soaks your clothes or bed sheets, even in a cool room. While fever and chills can happen with both a cold and COVID-19, night sweats tend to be more common with COVID-19 and can persist for days, often appearing alongside a fever or extreme fatigue.

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15. Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss

16. Night Sweats and Chills

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