Coronavirus Watch: Cold vs. COVID

Not sure if you have the cold, COVID or the flu?

As mitigation measures from the pandemic stifled transmission of respiratory viruses, we're seeing an influx of cases of RSV, flu and COVID (plus a shortage of kids' over-the-counter pain medication). 

But the cold looks a little different. Symptoms can last for seven to 10 days and include: Runny or congested nose, cough, sore throat, mild headache and/or sneezing.

So how do you treat the cold, how long are you contagious and how do you even get sick? Read more from reporter Adrianna Rodriguez here. 

It's Tuesday, and this is the Coronavirus Watch from the Paste BN Network. Here's other news to know:

• Antiviral drug molnupiravir can help speed up recovery from COVID by four days, but the drug does not reduce deaths or hospitalizations, according to a study published in The Lancet.
• More Tamiflu: The federal government is supplying more doses of the the antiviral drug during this flu season. Read more about this winter's early rush of illness. 
• China is rushing to vaccinate people older than 60 after the country began lifting its strict zero-COVID policy and as cases surge. More here. 

As always, thanks for reading!

— Rachel Aretakis, health editor