How do symptoms of Covid-19 breakthrough infections compare with flu, colds and other illnesses?

Symptoms of Covid-19 infections in vaccinated people are typically milder and shorter in duration than in people who are unvaccinated. The reduced severity can make symptoms feel more similar to flu or a cold. Breakthrough symptoms can include a runny nose, fatigue and cough.

One symptom that is usually specific to Covid-19 is a loss of taste or smell. “The clinical symptoms and signs of influenza and Covid-19 are virtually identical minus the difference in loss of smell and taste,” says Daniel Uslan, co-chief infection prevention officer at UCLA Health in Los Angeles.

However, Covid-19 infections don’t always trigger a loss of taste or smell. So people shouldn’t assume they are Covid-free if they still have those senses. It’s important to get tested according to your physician’s guidance to determine the cause of your symptoms, doctors say.