If you end up feeling below the climate with a fever, physique aches, and different signs, you could marvel what’s making you’re feeling so unhealthy. Is it seasonal influenza (generally referred to as the flu)? Or may you’ve COVID-19? Whereas the 2 sicknesses share many similarities, there are just a few variations.
Path to improved well being
COVID-19 and the flu are each attributable to viruses. However they’re attributable to totally different viruses. COVID-19 is attributable to the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses have been round for a very long time and coronaviruses may cause you to get the frequent chilly. Flu, then again, is attributable to the influenza virus. This can be a seasonal virus with two sorts: Influenza A and Influenza B.
You’ll be able to catch COVID-19 and the flu in related methods. When an individual talks, sneezes, or coughs, tiny, invisible particles depart their mouth and nostril and journey by way of the air. These particles are the place the virus can stay. If you happen to breathe in these particles, the virus is then inside your physique and might make you sick. Additionally, in case you get the particles in your palms after which contact your mouth, nostril, or eyes, you will get sick. Because of this it’s so necessary to scrub your palms regularly.
COVID-19 is way more contagious than the flu. Which means it passes extra rapidly and simply from one particular person to a different.
Folks most in danger
Whereas anybody can get COVID-19 and the flu, some teams of individuals are at a better danger of getting sick. For each COVID-19 and flu, adults over 65, people who find themselves pregnant, individuals with lung illness, coronary heart illness, or diabetes have a better danger. Learn extra about flu risks for people with chronic conditions.
Kids are additionally in danger for each COVID-19 and flu.
Signs
COVID-19 and the flu have most of the similar signs, together with:
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Bother respiratory.
- Excessive tiredness.
- Sore throat.
- Stuffy nostril.
- Physique aches, together with headache.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
You might also lose your sense of odor or style you probably have COVID-19.
COVID-19 and the flu may cause extreme sickness and issues that require hospitalization. If in case you have any of those signs, contact your physician straight away. They’ll diagnose which sickness you’ve and provide recommendation about what it’s best to do subsequent.
How lengthy are you sick?
It’s attainable to unfold COVID-19 and the flu to others earlier than you even know you’re sick. If in case you have COVID-19, you’ll be able to unfold the virus 2 days earlier than you’ve signs. After signs start, you’re doubtless contagious for 10 days. It’s necessary to steer clear of different individuals throughout this time to maintain them from getting sick. If you happen to’re round somebody who has COVID-19, it could take between 2 and 14 days so that you can develop signs.
With the flu, you’ll be able to unfold it 1 day earlier than your signs start. After you have signs, you’re contagious for as much as 7 days. This time will be longer for youths and seniors. If you happen to’re uncovered to somebody with the flu, it could take between 1 and 4 days so that you can develop signs.
Individuals are often sicker for an extended time frame with COVID-19 than with the flu.
Testing
There are different tests that can confirm if you have COVID-19. Some exams require a cotton swab to be put in your nostril. The top of the swab collects a pattern out of your nasal cavity as a result of that is the place the germs stay. The swab is then despatched to a laboratory for testing. The swab may additionally be used for a fast antigen take a look at, nevertheless, you could want to substantiate a constructive or damaging consequence with a laboratory (PCR) take a look at in case you nonetheless have signs or in case you want a damaging take a look at to return to high school or work. A saliva take a look at could also be supplied and at residence (over-the-counter) exams are additionally obtainable in some areas. Be sure you examine that the take a look at is allowed by the FDA earlier than buying.
In case your physician thinks you’ve the flu, they will carry out considered one of two exams. One take a look at entails placing a swab up your nostril. This swab might be despatched to the lab for testing. The opposite take a look at entails accumulating a pattern from the again of your throat. It will likely be despatched to the lab for testing, too. Fast exams are additionally obtainable for flu.
Laboratories have additionally developed exams that may detect each flu and COVID-19. Discuss together with your physician to see if they’re obtainable in your space.
Remedy
COVID-19
Three vaccines for COVID-19 have been approved for emergency use in the USA. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Comirnaty, was approved by the FDA for individuals 16 years and older. This 2-dose shot continues to be is below emergency use authorization for children ages 5-11 and adolescents ages 12-15. The Moderna vaccine (2 photographs) and Johnson & Johnson vaccine (1 shot) have been approved by the FDA for people 18 years and older. All three vaccines are really helpful by the CDC and given as a shot in your arm.
Security and efficacy information has been collected in over 220 million individuals who have gotten at the very least one dose of vaccine. Some uncommon uncomfortable side effects have been noticed, however general the vaccines are protected and efficient at stopping extreme illness, hospitalization, and dying.
These vaccines don’t offer you COVID-19, and don’t trigger issues throughout being pregnant or trigger decreases in fertility.
Flu
There’s a vaccine you will get to assist shield you towards the flu. It’s given as a shot in your arm. The American Academy of Household Physicians recommends everybody older than 6 months outdated get the yearly flu shot, except their physician says in any other case. If you happen to get the flu, there are medicines your physician can prescribe that can assist you relieve signs.
The flu shot doesn’t provide the flu.
Restoration time
If you happen to’ve had COVID-19, it might take you a very long time to get well or weeks earlier than you’re feeling like your self once more. For some individuals, it might take months (also referred to as lengthy COVID). Discuss together with your physician you probably have signs that proceed, as there choices for administration of those ongoing signs.
Individuals who have had the flu often really feel significantly better about 2 weeks after getting sick.
Issues to contemplate
COVID-19 and the flu share many issues. These embrace pneumonia, respiratory failure, kidney failure, and blood infections. These sicknesses may make current circumstances—together with points with the center, lungs, and diabetes—worse. In extreme circumstances, each sicknesses could result in dying.
If in case you have COVID-19, you may additionally develop blood clots in your legs, lungs, coronary heart, or mind. Your possibilities for these uncomfortable side effects go up you probably have coronary heart illness, lung illness, or diabetes. Some kids develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome. This can be a severe situation, nevertheless it isn’t quite common.
If you happen to’ve had the flu, you could develop a sinus an infection or an ear an infection. You might also get pneumonia, which will be severe. Extreme uncomfortable side effects are extra frequent in people who find themselves youthful than 5 years outdated or older than 65 years outdated, pregnant, or who’ve bronchial asthma, diabetes, or coronary heart illness.
Assets
CDC: Coronavirus Self-Checker (click on on self-check signs on the best aspect)
Familydoctor.org: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Familydoctor.org: Preventing the Flu
