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Is it the Flu or is It COVID? Here's How to Know the Difference.

Apr 01, 2021

Sneezing, coughing, fever, aches, and pains.  Is it the flu or could it be COVID?   Influenza and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Symptoms of the two can be very similar  and this makes it very difficult for us to know what you may be dealing with.

Influenza (a.k.a. “The Flu”)

Influenza is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Millions of people get the flu every year and hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year. 

Symptoms:

Symptoms will vary greatly by individual, but these are some of the most common:


  • Fever or feeling feverish/chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue (tiredness)
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle pain or body aches
  • Headache
  • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults


Most people with the flu do not require professional medical care and can simply stay home, drink plenty of fluids, take over-the-counter medication for symptoms and avoid contact with other people.  However, if you contact your doctor when symptoms first appear, you may be able to take an antiviral drug to ease the effects and duration of the flu. For people who are in a high-risk group, such as: people 65 or older, pregnant women, and anyone with chronic medical conditions, they should contact their healthcare provider right away as the impact of the flu could have a much greater impact on them than the average person.

Reducing the Risk:

The best way to help protect yourself against the flu is by getting vaccinated. The primary benefit of being vaccinated is reducing the risk of contracting the flu in the first place, and if you do happen to contract it, your chances of being hospitalized can be significantly reduced.  The vaccine takes about two weeks for the antibodies to develop in your body and provide protection.

Coronavirus Infectious Disease (a.k.a. “COVID-19”)

COVID-19 is an acute respiratory illness capable of producing severe symptoms and in some cases death, especially in older people and those with underlying health conditions. It was originally identified in China in 2019 and became pandemic in 2020.


A person will usually develop symptoms of COVID-19 approximately 5 days after being infected, but symptoms can appear as early as 2 days after infection or as late as 14 days after infection.


COVID-19 appears to spread more easily than Flu and can cause more serious illnesses in some people, including death. Because it can take longer for people to experience symptoms, a person can unknowingly spread the virus to others.  Some people will be asymptomatic, meaning they show no symptoms at all of having contracted the virus.


While we learn more every day about this virus, there is still a lot that is unknown about COVID-19.  For recent stats on the impact of COVID-19, visit the CDC website.

Symptoms:

Symptoms could vary greatly by individual, but these are some of the most common:


  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea


Other symptoms may be more serious such as difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, or difficulty staying awake.  If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek treatment immediately. 

Reducing the Risk:

As you can see, symptoms of COVID-19 and the Flu can be very similar. So, it’s important to assume that symptoms could be either until you know for certain.  A simple test from your healthcare provider or local testing center can help determine if you are sick with the Flu or COVID-19. Your healthcare provider can help guide you toward the best approach for managing symptoms for the duration of your illness. 


Although there is currently no known cure for COVID-19, there are several companies that have produced vaccines with varying degrees of efficacy. While vaccines are not available to the entire population just yet, they are being made available to our most vulnerable and they will soon be made available to everyone. 


In addition to getting vaccinated, there are other very important ways to protect yourself and minimize the risk of exposure to both COVID-19 and the Flu:


  • Wear a mask that covers both your nose and your mouth.  This helps to protect you and others.
  • Keep a 6 foot distance between yourself and other people you do not live with.
  • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water.  Use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available.


Always check with your healthcare provider for personalized advice regarding vaccination, testing and treatment of symptoms for either of these viruses.

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