Is there a way to know the difference between a cold and covid without getting tested? my throat has been sore since yesterday and my nose was stuffy this morning/feels abnormal now. at times ears feel like there is stuff i cant get out. no fever?

Not conclusively. The overlap in symptoms of respiratory viruses make identification without testing a guessing game. With covid test positivity rates on an upswing at present it has become a good possibility. Many can be infected with no symptoms.

If you lose your sense of smell and taste you almost certainly have Covid infection. With just upper respiratory symptom it is not feasible to differentiate without testing.

Dr Ferranti agreed

COVID 19 may present in a variety of ways, but fever and flu like symptoms are common and more severe compared with a cold. Watch for sudden worsening, shortness of breath and loss of taste and smell. Without fever, COVID is less likely, but may occur.

Dr Ferranti and another doctor agreed

Key issue currently is presentation of Delta variant, which may cause sore throat, and nasal symptoms initially. Loss of sense of smell and taste may occur subsequently. You could not only have this infection, but might instead have strep infection. Both need to be excluded. Get proactive and have a doctor evaluate these possibilities, as potential complications abound.

COVIVD HAS MANY SYMPTOMS SO BE AWARE OF THEM. IF YOU HAVE A FEVER OVER 100.4 , CHILLS ,MUSCLE ACHE AND PAIN , RUNNING NOSE , LOSS OF SMELL AND TASTE AND MOST SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING. ANY COMBINATION OF THESE SIGNS THAN GET TESTED IMMEDIATELY.REMEMBER WHERE AND WHO YOU WERE WITH RECENTLY.