With millions of infections in the U.S. and around the world, the coronavirus pandemic has been the headline this year. And while cases have slowly begun to come down in many places, flu season is now here looking to share the spotlight.
To compound the concern, the two viruses have a number of symptoms in common, making them challenging to tell apart. So how do you distinguish between COVID-19 and the flu? Dr. Anna Wolfson answered that exact question in a recent Harvard Health piece and suggested some actions to take in each case:
Symptoms
“The more common and sometimes severe symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath,” she said. “Two additional common symptoms are fatigue and loss of appetite. Less commonly, people may have diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Some people report a lack of taste or smell. Usually symptoms appear within five days after exposure, but it can take up to 14 days. A significant number of people experience no symptoms at all.”
“Flu (on the other hand) is characterized by fever, chills, muscle aches and exhaustion,” said Dr. Wolfson. “It classically comes on suddenly, as opposed to the more gradual onset of the common cold. More mild symptoms can also occur, such as a runny nose, sore throat and headache.
Treatment
“If you are concerned about symptoms,” the doctor said, “contact your doctor or your local board of health to find out whether you should be tested, and (where) testing is available near you. If your symptoms are worrisome or severe, call your doctor or local hospital, or check with your local health department so you can be evaluated immediately.”
“Flu is diagnosed based on a swab test performed by a healthcare provider,” Dr. Wolfson added. “Prescription medications can limit the duration of symptoms but need to be started promptly. The duration of symptoms is approximately one week, with symptom improvement occurring around five days.”
One final reminder she addressed was the fact that it’s possible to have both COVID-19 and the flu at the same time, so diligent diagnosis and care are critical as flu season ramps up.
Prevention
One of the biggest emphases around the coronavirus outbreak has been prevention. People around the world have been more diligently washing their hands, wearing face coverings and keeping a safe social distance from others to prevent and slow the spread of the virus. And all evidence suggests it’s working. Those same behaviors should work well in preventing the spread of the flu, too. Vaccines for these viruses, though, are on two different paths at the moment.
Several promising coronavirus vaccines are in the testing stages at this point, but none has been approved for general use. The flu vaccine, however, has been used for decades and is the most effective method to protect against this virus and the complications that can come with it.
Because some people may be more prone to getting the flu than others, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated against the flu. These shots are not 100 percent effective in preventing the flu, but studies have shown they can reduce the likelihood of getting it by as much as 60 percent, as well as limit the duration and symptoms of the illness.
Much as they do when it comes to COVID-19, workers in public settings have more risk for exposure to the flu. That includes public workers, teachers, health care workers, first responders and family members of people in these professions. Children, the elderly and people who are in regular contact with them should also be vaccinated, as well as people with chronic health conditions and pregnant women.
Vaccination
According to the CDC, seasonal flu shots typically become widely available in early fall. To learn more about flu shot scheduling options with Mount Carmel Medical Group, please click here.
Telling the seasonal flu apart from COVID-19 will be tough this flu season. But if you compare your symptoms with those outlined above, you should be able to make a more informed decision about treatment. If you’d like to learn more, you can also watch this NBC4 Health Matters segment with Mount Carmel Medical Group infectious disease specialist Dr. Mark Herbert for additional guidance on identification and treatment.