Covid Pearls II: What about the flu?

QUESTION

What is the difference between Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19?

ANSWER 

Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by  a coronavirus first identified in 2019.  Flu is caused by infection with a flu virus (influenza viruses). 

From what we know, COVID-19 spreads more easily than flu. Compared to flu, COVID-19 can cause more serious illnesses in some people. COVID-19 can also take longer before people show symptoms, and people can remain contagious for longer periods of time. 

QUESTION 

Can you differentiate from the symptoms between flu and COVID-19?

ANSWER

You cannot tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 just by looking at the symptoms alone because they have some of the same symptoms. That’s why testing is needed to tell what the illness is and to confirm a diagnosis. Testing is also important because it can reveal if someone has both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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