Rochester, Minnesota — During the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have heard that COVID-19 is similar to the flu (influenza). We heard from experts at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota about this issue.
Mayo Clinic experts say COVID-19 and the flu are both contagious respiratory diseases caused by viruses. They have some common symptoms. But through closer comparison, they can affect people differently. Also, Mayo experts say since the flu has been around much longer, doctors know more about how to treat and prevent it, while they continue to learn more about COVID-19.
According to Mayo experts:
The viruses that cause COVID-19 and the flu spread in similar ways. They can both spread between people who are in close contact (within 6 feet, or 2 meters). The viruses spread through respiratory droplets or aerosols released through talking, sneezing, or coughing. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of someone nearby or be inhaled. These viruses can also spread if a person touches a surface with one of the viruses on it and then touches his or her mouth, nose, or eyes.
COVID-19 and the flu have many signs and symptoms in common, including:
· Fever
· Cough
· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
· Tiredness
· Sore throat
· Runny or stuffy nose
· Muscle aches
· Headache
· Nausea or vomiting, but this is more common in children than in adults
The experts continue:
The signs and symptoms of both diseases can range from no symptoms to mild or severe symptoms. Because COVID-19 and the flu have similar symptoms, it can be hard to diagnose which condition you have based on your symptoms alone. Testing may be done to see if you have COVID-19 or the flu. You can also have both diseases at the same time.
Both COVID-19 and the flu can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, organ failure, heart attacks, heart or brain inflammation, stroke, and death.
Many people with the flu or mild symptoms of COVID-19 can recover at home with rest and fluids. But some people become seriously ill from the flu or COVID-19 and need to stay in the hospital.
COVID-19 and the flu have several differences, say the Mayo experts:
COVID-19 and the flu are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, while
influenza is caused by influenza A and B viruses. Symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu appear at different times and have some differences. With COVID-19, you may experience loss of taste or smell. COVID-19 symptoms generally appear two to 14 days after exposure. Flu symptoms usually appear about one to four days after exposure. COVID-19 appears to be more
contagious and to spread more quickly than the flu. Severe illness such as lung injury may be more frequent with COVID-19 than with influenza. The mortality rate also appears to be higher with COVID-19 than the flu.
COVID-19 can cause different complications from the flu, such as blood clots and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Another difference is that the flu can be treated with antiviral drugs. No antiviral drugs are currently approved to treat COVID-19. Researchers are evaluating many drugs and treatments for COVID-19. Some drugs may help reduce the severity of COVID-19.
The hour-long Mayo Clinic – Medical Edge Program can be heard Saturday mornings from 6 to 7 a.m. and Sunday evenings from 5 to 6 p.m. on KIWA 1550 AM and 100.7 FM.
