Even though influenza (the flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, their causes are completely different. Coronavirus infection causes COVID-19, while influenza infections cause influenza viruses. This post will give you facts on both COVID-19 and the flu, plus tell you how to know the difference and stay safe this flu season!
COVID-19 and the Flu – How to Know the Difference and Stay Safe
COVID-19 and the flu share a lot of common symptoms, as you might have already heard. So, how can you tell the difference between COVID-19 and the flu symptoms if you start feeling under the weather this year?
Bottom line, the only way to truly tell if you have the flu or COVID-19 is through testing. It’s still possible for you to get the flu even if you’ve gotten your annual flu shot. Likewise, if you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, you can still get the virus – but your chances are very low.
Below, we provide a list of similarities between symptoms, so that you can keep an eye out for symptoms that you should go get checked out by your doctor.
Common symptoms between COVID-19 and flu include:
The Feeling of Having a Fever or Having Chills
Breathing Difficulties or Shortness of Breath
Coughing
Sore Throat
Runny or Stuffy Nose
Tiredness (Fatigue)
Body Aches or Muscle Pains
Having a Headache
Diarrhea and Vomiting
Loss of Taste or Smell (More Prevalent With COVID-19)
COVID-19 and the Flu – Final Thoughts
We hope that this post on COVID-19 and the flu helps you know how to tell the difference this flu season, and moreover, we hope that if you experience any of the symptoms outlined above, you will go get tested, so that you can have a chance of fighting COVID-19 in the beginning stages and get it treated properly.
