Although influenza symptoms (Flu Symptoms ) and COVID -19 Symptoms seem to be similar in some aspects. we should be able to know the real symptoms of both and be able to be safe in this pandemic time

COVID-19 and influenza virus infections have similar flu-like symptoms presentation. Also share many common characteristics, like they both cause respiratory disease, which presents as a wide range of illness from asymptomatic or mild through to severe disease and even to death.

COVID vaccines are still in trial phages while for influenza you can take flu shots with the guidance of the doctor.

Influenza(Flu)  Vs Covid 19 (Corona)

Flu and COVID-19  are most likely similar however there are some key differences between the two. Though they seem to be similar in some symptoms they are totally different. In a similar sense, both are the contagious respiratory illnesses

Both influenza and COVID are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) whereas flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses.

As some of the flu symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference on the basis of symptoms alone. Confirmative testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.

Let go to find the similarities and differences between COVID 19 and FLU

Similarities:  Both COVID-19 and flu

Both COVID and flu can have different signs and symptoms. They both may have no symptoms (asymptomatic) to moderate and severe symptoms also. The most common symptoms that COVID-19 and flu Symptoms have similar are:

• Fever or feeling feverish and chills

• Persistent Cough

• Shortness of breath (SOB) or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue (tiredness)

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Muscle pain or body aches of multiple parts

• Headache on and off

• Some may have vomiting and diarrhea, (These are more common in children than adults)

Differences : Flu Symptoms and COVID 19 symptoms

 Sign and Symptoms

Flu viruses can cause mild to severe types of illness, including common signs and symptoms listed above While the other signs and symptoms of COVID-19 are that it may include a change in or loss of taste or smell.

If a person has COVID-19, it could take them longer to develop symptoms than that of flu. The flu symptoms take a person 1-4 days to develops whereas in COVID 19,  5 days after being infected is generally shown. But symptoms can appear after 2 days of infection or maybe 14 days after infection also.  The range of time can vary in this case.

Contagious (Spreading) of Flu and COVID

The person with flu is contagious about 1 day before they show any symptoms. Older children and adults with flu appear to be most contagious during the initial 3-4 days time. And this can go up to 7 days.

IN the same way, Infants and people with weakened immune systems can be contagious for even longer. If a person has COVID-19, these people may be contagious for a longer period of time than those infected with Flu.

The spread of the virus can be from 2 days before experiencing signs or symptoms. Generally, it is contagious for at least 10 days after signs or symptoms first appeared.

Even though someone is asymptomatic with positive COVID. The asymptomatic person may be contagious for at least 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19 So, after the recovery of the positive COVID. They are kept in isolation for 2 weeks’ time period.i

It is most clear that COVID-19 and flu viruses are thought to spread in similar ways among certain populations and age groups. COVID-19 is more contagious than Flu. This means the virus that causes COVID-19 can quickly and easily spread to lots of surrounding places.

 

Risk and complication of COVID and FLU

The risk and complications of flu are more for children as compared to COVID-19. However, those healthy infants and children with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for both flu and COVID-19.

Young children are at higher risk of severe illness from the flu. While the old age people with different co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, renal disease are at higher risk of COVID-19. The not only higher risk there will be a severe risk of complication for them. Like blood clotting in the veins and arteries of the lungs, heart, legs or brain, fibrosis of the lung, neuropathy

Recovery

The people who get flu will decently recover in a few days to less than two weeks, while the people with COVID-19 eighty % who are asymptomatic recover well while 15 % will have mild symptoms while 3 -5 % are in critical conditions. The mortality is increasing day by day in the different sectors. While some countries or sectors the mortality and recovery rate is in increase manner.

 

Flu Vaccine (flu shot) and COVID Vaccine

We can find multiple influenza vaccines produced by different companies and it is widely used for the prevention of the flu. Flu shots are being taken to prevent this.  Some might have seasonal flu which can be prevented by using prophylaxis of this vaccine.

For COVID 19, Currently, there is no vaccine used to prevent COVID-19. Vaccine developers and other researchers and manufacturers are aggressively on the way to the development of a vaccine in order to prevent this COVID-19 pandemic. Covishield, Vero cell, COVAX, Sputnik, COVAXIN are some of the covid vaccines. There are lots yet to come and on pipelinee.

Conclusion

Although covid 19 and flu symptoms seem similar. they are quite different in many above mentioned ways.Do know them and get safe in this pandemic time.