AIBU to think that those who say “covid is just a cold” would rather just have a cold than covid if given the choice?

Yeah, I got that it wasn't you thinking it. I just meant you brought it up. Perfectly reasonable to ask about it.

I caught Covid three weeks after finishing chemo, it was like a mild version of a cold.

Personally I would probably pick the covid room, I seem to catch every single cold going, so far I haven't had covid (that I am aware of, no longer testing) despite my daughter having it and being in close contact with her (she was 10 so interacted with the family as normal, only had mild 'sniffles'). I worked in care towards the end of the lockdown so regularly came into contact with people with all sorts of symptoms.

My DH died of Covid, in 2023, so it was certainly more than a cold to him. 🙄

Honestly, the vast majority of people wouldn't give this any head space 5 years in.
Unless you are someone who qualifies for free covid tests, you don't need to test.
If you have extremely vulnerable family members or friends, don't go near them when you're unwell- with any illness! It's simple really.

Same here - I get awful colds that always go to my chest but Covid was the mildest virus I ever had. I've got a nasty cold right now.

But we're all different and react to viruses in different ways.

I totally agree. They're very different. I would never say it but OP did.

Yes, that's the sort of thing you'd need to be doing in order to have any degree of certainty you weren't transmitting a cold virus. Obviously most humans don't live like this.

Not sure how reliable the data on transmission of the common cold is, since we test so infrequently. Covid is an unusual virus in that respect, because most of them don't have a bloc of people testing with no symptoms. Even with flu it's easier than colds because people test somewhat more often for that, albeit nothing like as much as covid. And there are some wildly varying figures out there for how much flu is asymptomatic.

It's also not really comparing like with like. We use a cold colloquially to mean a substantial range of viruses, whereas covid 19 is just the one. I'm not a fan of defining covid in relation to colds in general.

I’ve had covid and been really ill but I’ve also had covid been a little bit unwell, the same with colds. I really hate vomitting so I would probably opt for cold.

Well it's a good job I don't socialise, wear a mask and only do essential trips out when I have one then. I do the same precautions I would with COVID. But I still believe COVID has more potential to be dangerous than a common cold.

You could. It's possible for complications from a cold virus to be fatal. And as cold viruses can also be asymptomatic or very mild, it's possible to transmit them without knowing you have them.

Having had covid at lest 3 times possibly 4 (didn't have a test last time) I would much rather have a cold. Colds cam be mild and even when I've had a bad one non have triggered my migraines like covid has. Also the last time I had covid I had a chest infection for the first time in my life. I've had colds since and have never before or since had a chest infection.

For me having covid is like having flu or worse so it's definitely not comparable to a regular cold for me. I'm aware others can ha e it mildly and technically I'm not in an at risk group. But apparently those who have chronic migraine seem to get it quite badly. So give me a cold anyday and yes I had my vaccinations.

I don't know anyone testing.

Older family members are sometimes offered covid vaccine in their area like they are flu and have it - otherwise it would just be cold/flu varient.

There was a cold going round my family years before covid hit half the familiy it was a mild cold - other half where on steriod tablets, nebulisers and inhalers - with few then having long term asthma and other with a long period of general unwellness. It just hit us - family gentically related - very very differently.

I wouldn't think I could kill someone by having a cold. Though I keep my distance and don't socialise while I have one. And I wear a mask when out in public.

I don't test, and I don't know anyone who test anymore. Wouldn't have a clue if it's covid or "just a cold" anyway.

I don't believe most people even care if it's Covid or a cold.

Colds, flu and Covid can all be caused by different varieties of viruses from the Coronavirus group, so there are definite similarities.

All can hit different people with varying degrees of severity, varying from severe and needing hospital treatment to mild and asymptomatic, meaning that the person may not even realise they have it. And every shade in-between.

I've only had Covid once that I am aware of. To me it did seem like a very heavy cold which settled on my chest, leaving me with a chest infection that needed antibiotics to clear long after the Covid infection itself had subsided. So, I can't choose.

I can't say that I give the whole thing very much thought now apart from having my annual vaccination at the same time as the flu vaccine every year. If I am well then I go out and about as normal, if not then I stay at home until I am better. As ever really, and I haven't tested for years even though they are still available in the pharmacy and online. I'm not buying.

I wouldn't know if I had covid these days as im not paying for tests so if I feel unwell I'll stay in and if I feel OK I'll go about my business

I only had COVID once and the only symptom I had was hives that lasted about 2 days. I wouldn't have even tested except that my son had tested positive. I don't remember the last time I had a cold. But for me COVID was nothing more than a minor inconvenience so I guess I would choose that.

I’m with the others who think this just doesn’t really makes sense.

a cold isn’t definable- it’s a group of cold virus’ and with differing viral loads you can get all sorts of degrees or cold- from a sniffle to being unable to function normally.

covid now has many variants and also the severity depends on viral load and your own vulnerability.

I mean you realise you can have mild Covid and a severe cold virus don’t you? I had to spend a week in bed with a cold in January.

ive had Covid once to my knowledge and it wasn’t as bad as having the flu, which was truly hideous.

both of those were confirmed by test. If you don’t test how do you even know what you have? “Cold” just describes a group of virus symptoms, it isn’t a virus itself

A simple viral infection could present differently in a vulnerable person, who could die.

A simple viral infection could present differently in a vulnerable person, who could die.

I’ve had covid so many times and most have been horrible - weird symptoms as well as the usual.

But I asked the GP about the vaccine being available privately recently and they told me there’s evidence that it’s triggered auto immune responses and isn’t recommended anymore, except for the real “oldies”! She said Covid is “just a cold” now. And that flu is the big worry.

I don't know anyone who tests.

In my NHS Trust us medical staff are expected to still come into work if we have Covid. We can still see patients all day long just wear a mask. I don't think that many folk test anymore to be honest.