Can You Tell If It’s the Flu or COVID-19?

Many people nowadays wonder, "Do I have COVID-19?" with every sneeze, cough, or
tickle in the throat. The forthcoming flu season will be considerably more complicated with the
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and for the millions of allergy sufferers across the country, the
question becomes a little more complicated – COVID-19 or potentially a flu?
Viruses that infect the respiratory tract cause all of these illnesses. All of them are
contagious and can easily spread from person to person. Because they share similar symptoms,
it's impossible to discern the difference between flu and COVID-19 solely by looking at the
symptoms. As a result, distinguishing them can be difficult. But through closer comparison, they
can affect people differently. This article will guide you in telling the difference and receiving
the appropriate care.

How are COVID-19 and the flu similar?

How COVID-19 and flu spread
COVID-19 and flu viruses both spread in the same way. They can both spread among
persons who are in close proximity to one another (within 6 feet, or 2 meters). Talking, sneezing,
and coughing produce respiratory droplets or aerosols, which spread the infections. These
droplets can fall into someone's mouth or nose, or they can be inhaled. If a person contacts a
surface that has one of the viruses on it and then touches his or her mouth, nose, or eyes, the
virus can spread

COVID-19 and flu symptoms

COVID-19 and the flu share numerous signs and symptoms, including:
 Fever
 Cough
 Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
 Tiredness
 Sore throat
 Stuffy or runny nose
 Muscle pain
 Headache
 Vomiting or nausea, but this is more common in children than in adults.
Both diseases have a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms, from none to mild to severe.
Because COVID-19 and the flu have similar symptoms, determining which ailment you have
based purely on your symptoms might be challenging. You may be tested to see if you have
COVID-19 or if you have the flu. You can also have both diseases at the same time.

COVID-19 and flu complications

 COVID-19 and the flu can both cause serious consequences, including:
 Pneumonia
 Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
 Failure of one or more organs
 Heart attacks
 Inflammation of the heart or the brain
 Stroke
 Death
With rest and hydration, many patients with the flu or moderate COVID-19 symptoms
can recover at home. However, some people become very ill from the flu or COVID-19 and
require hospitalization.

What's the difference between COVID-19 and the flu?

There are numerous variations between COVID-19 and the flu, including differing
symptoms, causes and treatments. COVID-19 and the flu transmit in distinct ways, have different
severity levels and symptoms, and require different immunizations to prevent.

COVID-19 and flu causes

The viruses that cause COVID-19 and the flu are not the same. COVID-19 is caused by
the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, whereas influenza is caused by influenza A and B viruses.

COVID-19 and flu symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms appear at different times and differ in some ways. Symptoms of
COVID-19 usually appear two to fourteen days after exposure. The flu usually manifests itself 1-
4 days after being exposed.

COVID-19 and flu spread and severity

COVID-19 appears to be more contagious than the flu virus and spreads at a faster rate. If
you take COVID-19, you may lose your sense of taste or smell. COVID-19 causes more serious
illness, such as lung injury, than influenza. COVID-19 has a higher mortality rate than flu.

COVID-19 and flu treatments

Another distinction is that antiviral drugs can be used to treat the flu. For the treatment of
COVID-19, only one antiviral medication, remdesivir, is currently authorized. Researchers are
testing a variety of medicines and treatments for COVID-19. COVID-19 can be made less severe
with the use of certain drugs.

COVID-19 and flu prevention

To help minimize your risk of getting the flu, you can obtain a flu vaccine once a year.
The flu vaccine can also help to lessen the severity of the illness and the risk of catastrophic
complications. Each year's flu vaccine protects against the three or four influenza viruses that are
most likely to be prevalent during that year's flu season. A shot (injection) or a nasal spray can be
used to administer the vaccine.

COVID-19 can be contracted even if you have had the flu vaccine. According to certain
studies, having a flu vaccine may reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. Research also shows
that getting the flu vaccine does not make you more likely to get COVID-19 or other respiratory
infections.

Some COVID-19 vaccines have been awarded emergency use authorisation by the US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and one vaccination has been approved. A vaccine can
help you avoid contracting the COVID-19 virus or keep you from becoming extremely ill if you
do contract it. Obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine will also enable you to resume several activities
that you may have been unable to accomplish because to the pandemic.