ARVI or COVID: How to Tell the Symptoms Apart and When to Get Tested

Author Olena Kravchenko Infectious Disease Physician, Pediatric Infectious Disease Physician

26 October 2026 5 min read

Reviewed by Natalia Yurievna Lelikova, Board-Certified Internist updated: 26 October 2026

A runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever — a set of symptoms behind which different infections may hide: an ordinary cold, influenza or COVID-19. It is hard to tell them apart “by eye,” but there are some guidelines. Let’s look at how to tell that you have ARVI, how it differs from COVID, and when a test is needed.

How to Tell ARVI, Influenza and COVID-19 Apart by the Combination of Symptoms

How do you know you have ARVI and not something more serious? ARVI is the general name for viral infections of the respiratory tract, and COVID formally belongs to them too. No single symptom makes it possible to determine the cause of the illness precisely. What matters is the combination of signs, the speed of onset and contacts with sick people. The guidelines are in the table.

Sign	ARVI	Influenza	COVID-19
Onset	Gradual	Sudden, within a few hours	Gradual or sudden
Temperature	Up to 38 °C, 2–3 days	38–40 °C, 3–5 days	From normal to high, may last longer
Runny nose, sneezing	Pronounced	Rare	Occur
Sore throat	Common	Moderate	Common
Cough	Mild, wet	Dry, agonizing	Dry or wet, may drag on
Body aches and weakness	Mild	Pronounced	From mild to severe
Loss of smell and taste	Rare	Rare	Possible

What Temperature Occurs with COVID and Whether It Always Rises

With coronavirus the temperature can be anything: from normal to 39–40 °C. In some people it does not rise at all, and the illness passes like a mild cold. If the temperature is high and lasts more than 3–5 days and your condition is getting worse, a consultation with a doctor is needed.

Runny Nose, Sneezing, Sore Throat and Cough with COVID-19: Which Symptoms Are Possible

How can you recognize ARVI and tell a cold from the virus that causes COVID? Modern variants of coronavirus often begin like an ordinary cold: nasal congestion, snot, sneezing, sore throat, dry cough. Headache, weakness, muscle pain and diarrhea may be added. A runny nose on its own does not rule out COVID, and loss of smell is not mandatory. So going by symptoms is not enough, and a test will help you find out the cause.

When to Take a Coronavirus Test with ARVI Symptoms

You should get tested if:

you have cold symptoms and have had contact with someone who has COVID;
you are planning to meet elderly people, pregnant women or people with chronic diseases;
you yourself belong to a risk group;
symptoms last longer than 5–7 days or are getting worse;
confirmation is required at work or school.

A rapid antigen test is best done in the first 3–5 days of the illness. If the result is negative but the symptoms remain, it is repeated after 24–48 hours or a PCR test is done.

Which Tests Help Clarify the Cause of the Illness at Helyos

The doctor relies on the examination, but if the symptoms are unclear, additional tests are ordered.

Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral and Bacterial Infections

Laboratory diagnostics at Helyos helps identify the pathogen: a PCR test for coronavirus, influenza and other respiratory viruses, a complete blood count, CRP and inflammation markers. These data make it possible to tell a viral infection from a bacterial one and avoid unnecessary antibiotics.

Consultation with a General Practitioner or Infectious Disease Specialist When Symptoms Are Unclear

If the picture is unclear, you should book an appointment with a general practitioner or a consultation with an infectious disease specialist in Dnipro. The doctor will assess the symptoms, determine whether tests and treatment are needed, and tell you how to protect those close to you. With influenza, antiviral drugs are most effective in the first 48 hours, so you should not put off a visit, especially if you belong to a risk group. Self-treatment with antibiotics does not help with a viral infection and only does harm.

When You Need a Consultation with a Helyos Pulmonologist After ARVI or COVID-19

See a pulmonologist if after the illness the cough does not go away for longer than 3–4 weeks, or you have shortness of breath on exertion, chest pain, quick fatigue, or reduced tolerance of physical exertion. The doctor will order tests and select treatment. Post-COVID rehabilitation will help you recover after a severe course.

Dangerous Symptoms with a Viral Infection: When Urgent Medical Help Is Needed

Call an ambulance if the following appear:

shortness of breath at rest, not getting enough air, being unable to speak in sentences;
chest pain or pressure;
bluish lips and face;
confusion, severe drowsiness;
a temperature above 39 °C that does not go down;
blood oxygen level below 94%;
being unable to drink, dehydration.

While you are ill, stay at home, drink more fluids, wear a mask around those close to you and ventilate the room more often. This reduces the risk of infecting others, regardless of which particular virus caused the illness.

Elderly people, pregnant women and patients with chronic heart and lung diseases need to be especially careful.

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What Is Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and What Does It Do?

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the function of the thyroid gland. It stimulates the production of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), hormones that affect nearly every organ and system in the body.

When thyroid hormone levels decrease, the pituitary gland produces more TSH to stimulate the thyroid. Conversely, when T3 and T4 levels are too high, TSH production decreases. This is why a TSH blood test is considered one of the most important methods for evaluating endocrine system function.

Normal TSH Levels in Women, Men, and Children

Reference ranges may vary slightly depending on the laboratory and the testing method used. In most cases, the normal TSH range for adults is approximately 0.4–4.0 mIU/L.

TSH levels can be influenced by:

age;
sex;
pregnancy;
certain medications;
underlying medical conditions.

During pregnancy, normal TSH values change, especially in the first trimester. Therefore, test results should always be interpreted by a healthcare professional.

In children, TSH levels also vary with age. Newborns typically have higher TSH levels, which gradually decrease and approach adult reference values as they grow.

When Should You Get a TSH Test?

A doctor may recommend a TSH test if you experience symptoms that may indicate thyroid dysfunction.

These symptoms include:

persistent fatigue;
drowsiness;
sudden weight changes;
dry skin;
hair loss;
irregular heartbeat;
excessive sweating;
insomnia;
irritability;
difficulty conceiving.

A TSH test is also commonly recommended during pregnancy, when planning pregnancy, to monitor thyroid disease treatment, and as part of routine preventive health check-ups.

Causes of High and Low TSH Levels

An elevated TSH level most commonly indicates an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). Possible causes include autoimmune diseases, iodine deficiency, the effects of thyroid surgery, or treatment with certain medications.

A low TSH level may occur in hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. Changes in TSH levels may also be associated with pituitary disorders, severe stress, or the use of certain medications.

TSH test results should always be interpreted together with T3 and T4 levels, clinical symptoms, and the findings of additional diagnostic tests.

How to Prepare for a TSH Blood Test

To obtain the most accurate results, it is recommended to:

have your blood drawn on an empty stomach;
avoid intense physical activity the day before the test;
avoid alcohol for 24 hours before the test;
inform your doctor about all medications you are taking;
whenever possible, have follow-up blood tests performed at the same time of day.

Following these recommendations helps ensure the most reliable laboratory results.

What Do Abnormal TSH Levels Mean and When Should You See an Endocrinologist?

An abnormal TSH level is not a disease itself but rather an indicator of a possible endocrine disorder. To determine the underlying cause, your doctor may recommend additional blood tests, a thyroid ultrasound, and other diagnostic procedures.

You should consult an endocrinologist if you experience symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, receive abnormal thyroid test results, or have a family history of endocrine disorders. Children with suspected thyroid problems should be evaluated by a pediatric endocrinologist.

Conclusion

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is one of the most important indicators of thyroid function. A timely TSH blood test can detect thyroid disorders before noticeable symptoms develop, allowing treatment to begin at an early stage. Regular preventive check-ups, consultations with an endocrinologist, and modern diagnostic methods help maintain endocrine health and reduce the risk of developing serious thyroid and hormonal disorders.

Pneumonia in Adults: Signs That Require an Ambulance

Pneumonia is called inflammation of the lungs, and it often starts as an ordinary cold. That is why many people treat it at home and lose precious time. Let’s look at which symptoms of pneumonia should alert you, when you must call an ambulance and how not to mistake pneumonia for a cold.