Symptom Overlap Makes Diagnosing COVID and Other Infections a Challenge: Doctors
Mumbai, 30th May 2025: With a steady rise in respiratory illness cases, doctors are facing increasing difficulty in diagnosing COVID-19 and other infectious diseases due to overlapping symptoms such as cold, cough, and fever. The similarity in clinical presentation has blurred the lines between COVID-19, influenza, dengue, malaria, and other infections, making accurate diagnosis more challenging.
Hospitals are seeing more patients with lung and heart-related issues, and mild COVID-19 cases are also on the rise. However, the common symptoms—fever, body aches, cough, and fatigue—are also shared by other seasonal illnesses, which can delay proper treatment.
A distinguishing feature during the early COVID-19 waves was the loss of smell and taste, but this symptom has become less common with the newer variants. Doctors now report that vaccinated individuals with COVID-19 may present with a broader range of non-respiratory symptoms including nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, persistent fatigue, headache, numbness in limbs, sleep disorders, and even neurological symptoms like seizures and facial paralysis.
“COVID now often affects other organs apart from the lungs,” say medical professionals, emphasizing that each case needs careful evaluation. They urge individuals not to self-diagnose but to consult doctors and rely on medical tests for confirmation.
In contrast, dengue is usually marked by a drop in platelet count, severe headaches, rashes, and muscle pain. Malaria typically causes recurring fever, chills, and body pain, especially in winter. Influenza presents with high fever, sore throat, muscle aches, and breathing difficulty.
Given the variety of symptoms and the similarity between diseases, doctors stress the importance of early consultation and diagnostic testing to determine the cause accurately and begin timely treatment.
The evolving nature of viruses and overlapping symptoms highlight the need for awareness, vigilance, and prompt medical guidance to manage the current health situation effectively.
