Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. (not bacteria). Symptoms seem similar but there are important differences!
WHAT IS SIMILAR:
Both can cause fever, cough, body aches, and vomiting and diarrhea. (especially in children)
Both can result in pneumonia.
Both may be non symptomatic ,mildly symptomatic, severe, or cause death.
Both spread by droplets in the air which are inhaled, causing illness.
Both can be spread by touching infected surfaces or your face.
Both can spread easily as for the first few days of illness, you may not know you are infected.
THE DIFFERENCES:
The Flu is caused by the “Influenza” virus, and Covid-19 is caused by the “SARS-CoV-2” virus.
The Flu may cause inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscles, and multi-organ failure.
The Flu more commonly results in secondary pneumonia (usually needing an antibiotic if caused by bacteria)
Covid-19 may cause sudden loss of smell and taste. This is rare for the Flu.
Covid-19 may cause complications including long term damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain.
SIMILAR SYMPTOMS to both:
- Fever or feeling feverish/having chills
- Cough and difficulty breathing
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Sore throat and runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle pain or body aches and headache
- Vomiting and diarrhea
LMC Summary:
During the last 2 weeks, as the weather gets colder, we are seeing a massive surge in respiratory illness including a resurgence of Covid-19, the Flu and secondary pneumonia. Those who have had chronic respiratory illness such as asthma, or are smokers. You may wish to seek medical care early during illness to get an albuterol inhaler or steroid inhaler as cough and over the counter cough and cold medications to little if nothing to help relieve cough and difficulty breathing. I anticipate that as the shortage of prescription cough syrup, pharmacies may run short on supply of prescription pump inhalers. If this occurs, you may need to alternatively need oral or injected steroid medication to reduce cough and increase breathing.
Have Merry Christmas and a safe holiday season!