COVID-19 And The Flu: Is There A Way To Tell The Difference?
So, you’re starting to feel a bit ill and you’re terrified that it might COVID-19? It might just be the flu. The CDC has released a list of differences between COVID-19 and the common flu, as we move into flu season. And it turns out that you might have a hard time figuring out the difference.
According to the CDC, Both COVID-19 and flu can have varying degrees of signs and symptoms, ranging from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe symptoms. Common symptoms that COVID-19 and flu share include fever and chills, coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, headache and body aches.
Good Morning America reports on the differences, but many of them won’t help you if you feel something coming on right now. A symptom that is a giveaway that you’ve got COVID-19 is a loss of taste and/or smell. But that doesn’t happen in all cases.
Additionally, it’s actually possible to have the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. So, the moral of the story: if you think that you might have COVID-19, you should get tested for it as soon as possible.
Both COVID-19 and flu can spread from person-to-person, between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Both are spread mainly by droplets made when people with the illness (COVID-19 or flu) cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
However, COVID-19 is more contagious and spreads easier among certain populations and age groups than the Flu.
