How to Differentiate Between the Flu and Coronavirus

Опубликовал Admin
24-07-2021, 15:40
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Both COVID-19 and the flu are viruses that present similar symptoms, and it can be difficult to tell them apart. This can cause a lot of anxiety if you’re feeling sick and don’t know what to do. While the only certain way to tell the difference is to get tested, you can still review your symptoms and make a good assumption about what’s wrong. If you do get sick, it’s best to talk to your doctor and follow their instructions on what to do next.

Symptom Comparison

  1. What symptoms are common in both the flu and COVID-19? The two illnesses are quite similar: both are spread through viruses, usually via water droplets in the air from an infected person, and they share several symptoms. Both often involve:
    • Fever.
    • Chills.
    • Sore throat and cough.
    • Fatigue, headache, and body aches.
    • Nausea and diarrhea.
  2. Does the flu or COVID-19 cause a runny nose? While nasal congestion can occur with either virus, it’s much more common with the flu. Only a small number of COVID patients report having a runny nose. If you have a runny nose along with other flu-like symptoms like body aches, fever, and fatigue, then it’s a good bet that you have the flu.
    • If you do have congestion or phlegm, it will be green, yellow, or gray with the flu. If it’s clear, then you probably have allergies instead of a virus.
  3. Which virus causes a loss of taste or smell? This is a common, early sign of COVID-19. It usually occurs very suddenly, and probably before you’re feeling very sick. The flu does not cause this, so if you have this symptom, then you’re probably coming down with COVID-19.
    • Having a very stuffy nose from a cold or allergies could also affect your taste, but with COVID, this would happen without congestion.
  4. Are breathing issues more common in COVID-19? Yes, this is a typical symptom of COVID rather than the flu. A COVID-19 infection commonly involves shortness of breath and respiratory issues. Breathing problems usually have a slow, gradual onset. The flu is a respiratory infection too, but breathing issues are less common with this virus.
    • You might notice more difficulty breathing if you’re exerting yourself or walking up the stairs.
    • If you do have trouble breathing, call your doctor right away. This could be a serious symptom.
  5. Which virus takes longer to develop? COVID usually develops more slowly than the flu. While the flu usually causes an illness 1-4 days after infection, COVID could take up to 14 days. If you’ve been around a sick person and develop symptoms quickly, then the flu is more likely. If your symptoms take a week or more to develop, then it’s probably COVID.
    • This characteristic might not seem very useful if you didn’t realize you were around a sick person. But if you know a specific event where you were in contact with a sick person, then it can be a helpful guide.
  6. Do children get sick with COVID-19? As a general observation, COVID-19 usually doesn’t cause a severe illness in children, while the flu often does. If your child is under 10 and they're fatigued, coughing, feverish, and complaining of body aches, then the flu is a more likely culprit than COVID.
    • Note that this is just a general trend, not a scientific rule. While they usually get a less severe case, children can still contract and spread COVID-19.
  7. What else could cause symptoms similar to the flu or COVID? Colds and seasonal allergies could also be mistaken for a COVID-19 infection. Stress and panic attacks can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, headaches, and fatigue, which can also be mistaken for COVID-19. However, when you look at the other symptoms, you'll see that they're very different from COVID-19 or the flu.
    • Cold: A cold usually involves a runny nose, congestion, a sore throat, a mild or moderate cough, and/or chills. Colds rarely cause fevers.
    • Seasonal allergies: Allergies usually involve fatigue, coughing or sneezing, and a runny or stuffy nose. Your eyes and nose will probably be itchy, which is a telltale sign of allergies.
    • Anxiety attack: Chest pain, heart palpitations, nausea, feelings of panic or fear, sweating, numbness of hands and feet, dry mouth, irritability, and muscle tension are typically signs of anxiety or a panic attack. These are short-lived symptoms that last 5-20 minutes in most cases.

If You Get Sick

  1. Isolate yourself if you come down with flu-like symptoms. It can be very scary if you get sick and aren’t sure if you have COVID-19 or something else. Until you’re sure, it’s best to go into quarantine and keep yourself isolated from other people. This keeps other people safe until you have a firm answer.
    • Stay home and avoid public transit or crowded areas. If you can, take off from work and explain to your employer that you may have COVID.
    • If you live with other people, stay in one room or area of the home to stay isolated from everyone else.
  2. Get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible. Since the flu and COVID can be very similar, the only surefire way to tell them apart is with a test. Call your doctor or a local testing clinic and set up an appointment. Then go to your appointment, have your test, and stay isolated at home until your results come in.
    • Remember to wear a mask when you go to the doctor’s office.
    • If you do test positive, inform anyone you’ve been close to so they can get tested too.
  3. Stay home and rest whether you have COVID-19 or the flu. The main treatment for both of these illnesses is plenty of rest. Take off from work or school, avoid other people so you don’t spread the virus, and do your best to relax. In most cases, the flu and COVID-19 clear up within 1-2 weeks and you’ll be feeling better.
    • Drink plenty of fluids while you’re recovering. Dehydration can be very dangerous no matter which virus you have.
    • If you have body aches, a headache, or a sore throat, over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen can help.
    • In the US, the FDA has recently approved a drug called Remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 symptoms. It's not a cure, but it may help shorten the duration of the illness.
  4. Call for medical help if you have trouble breathing. Whether you have the flu or COVID-19, both infections can cause breathing trouble or even pneumonia. This is a serious symptom, so call your doctor right away if you have trouble breathing. If you feel like you can’t breathe, call emergency services like 911 to get medical help.
    • If you do have to call paramedics, inform them that you have COVID-19 so they can take steps to protect themselves.

Tips

  • While the flu commonly has a greater effect on the elderly, young children, and those who are immunocompromised, COVID-19 is more unpredictable and can affect anyone.
  • Nausea and diarrhea are less common symptoms for both COVID-19 and the flu. However, they can happen with either virus, so they aren't reliable for diagnosing yourself.

Warnings

  • Both the flu and COVID-19 present differently in different people. These symptoms are only guidelines. If you think you have COVID-19, it’s important to get a proper test as soon as possible.
  • Remember that the flu can still be a serious illness. You need rest and plenty of fluids to recover from this virus.
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