Covid vs. Flu Symptoms: Key Differences and Similarities

Covid symptoms, such as a stuffy or runny nose and sneezing, are mild enough to get confused with allergies. If you're running a fever, that's a sign that there's more going on than allergies. People generally connect nausea and diarrhea to norovirus or iffy food, but these GI issues can also be the result of COVID-19. Other symptoms to look out for include:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat

The flu can lead to chills and a high temperature of up to 104 degrees, but COVID-19 is often associated with a milder fever, around 100 degrees, and colds rarely involve having a fever. With the flu, throwing up or presenting with loose stools is more common among kids than adults.

Other frequently reported flu symptoms include:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue

Covid has a few unique symptoms. The loss of taste or smell was a distinctive symptom at the beginning of the pandemic but affects fewer people now. Brain fog is often reported, particularly among older adults. Less common symptoms include sudden hair loss or "Covid toe," involving blisters or rashes.

There are also differences in the onset and progression of symptoms. For example, flu symptoms appear just a day after exposure to someone with the flu, and you can feel quite ill on day one. Covid has a longer incubation period, and its symptoms only show up an average of five days after exposure and vary in severity. In addition, flu generally has a quick turnaround time if there are no complications, whereas COVID can linger for many weeks or months and has the potential for severe respiratory issues.

We've been listing a whole bunch of viral symptoms, so let's recap the symptoms Covid and the flu have in common. These similarities make it challenging for a doctor to make a diagnosis without a Covid test. If you have plans to see someone with a compromised immune system, you may want to exercise precautions if you have:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache

At some point, you may have come across the term severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or more commonly, SARS-CoV-2. The disease's full name provides insight into the major, life-threatening complications that can arise from Covid. In addition to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or wet lung, individuals can experience the dreaded long COVID-19. But influenza has its complications, too, including:

• Pneumonia
• Sinus and ear infections
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions

Young children tend to have more severe bouts of the flu or R.S.V., with the latter often producing a wheezing sound during exhalations.

A child under 5 is more likely to have to go to hospital because of the flu than an adult over 65. The opposite is true for Covid. When kids get COVID-19, it's generally milder or asymptomatic, and COVID-19 can put older folks in the ICU. Pregnant women and those who are immunocompromised are also susceptible to more severe forms of both Covid and the flu.

Studies showed that chronic health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, fear and anxiety-related disorders had the strongest association with invasive mechanical ventilation and death, hence the need for greater precautions among these populations.

Testing is the best way to get an accurate diagnosis. Rapid at-home antigen test kits are available at drug stores, pharmacies, and medical facilities that offer in-person PCR testing. It's possible to do testing for free—you would just need to search for no-cost Covid testing centers near you. With the at-home test, it's important to test again as per the instructions if your first result is negative.

If you know you've been exposed, wait at least five days before testing, or your results may be inaccurate. Testing usually involves nasal or throat swabs and can be uncomfortable, but DIY at-home tests are a cinch. Flu tests are much less common and are generally only administered if someone is admitted to hospital.

Four concepts were ingrained into the public at the start of the pandemic: vaccination, masking, sanitizer, and social distancing. Because COVID-19 is passed on via tiny droplets in the nose or mouth, wearing a mask became essential in stopping the spread of the virus. If someone who was infected coughed or breathed out, the mask would limit how far those droplets could go. Isolating from others or maintaining a safe distance of six feet from others also had the same effect. Those small droplets could end up on objects, so cleaning hands frequently with virus-killing hygiene products also became a norm.

And then, of course, there's vaccination, which aids with developing antibodies and minimizes the severity of illness in the event of infection. The above tools also help prevent the spread of the flu, although you'd need to go for an updated flu vaccine to tackle the latest strain of influenza.

If you or someone you know is experiencing trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, pale or blueish skin, confusion, constant drowsiness, or other severe symptoms such as loss of movement or seizures, call 911 or your local emergency facility for urgent medical attention. This is not an exhaustive list of serious COVID or flu symptoms, so if you have concerns, speak to your physician. Severe COVID is diagnosed when, for example, a person's respiratory rate exceeds 30 breaths per minute, and their oxygen saturation levels fall below 94%.

Resting, staying hydrated, and over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen are effective tools for treating mild COVID-19 and flu symptoms such as fever and pain. Check with your GP to see if OTC meds are suitable for your needs. Home remedies such as steaming and salt water gargles can also assist with symptom management. Both Covid and the flu are viruses, so antibiotics aren't a viable treatment for them.

Viruses mutate, and humans must adapt to them. Vulnerable segments of the population are encouraged to take booster shots targeting the latest and most prevalent variants. New COVID-19 variants might affect symptom presentation, so it's important to stay informed about emerging variants to know what to look out for and when to take action. It's rare, but some individuals can have their worst symptoms during their third or subsequent experiences with COVID-19. In most cases, however, people build up immunity with repeat exposure via infections and vaccinations, and symptoms are relatively mild the third time around.

The Covid pandemic caused over six million deaths in familiar communities and places halfway across the world. We lost loved ones or had to demonstrate resilience in the face of work-from-home challenges, job loss, or intense loneliness. Beyond the grief and difficult practical aspects of the pandemic was the mental toll of the disease itself. Now that Covid is more of a known entity, the mental health challenges largely revolve around long Covid. If you're experiencing psychological distress as a result of Covid, help is available. Call a crisis hotline or talk to your GP if you experience panic attacks. Practice deep breathing and relaxation exercises, and get involved in hobbies you enjoy. Connect with others on video calls if you've tested positive.

Unfortunately, Covid can result in ongoing symptoms and health problems such as fatigue, breathlessness, and brain fog. When symptoms last longer than three months, it is known as long Covid or Post COVID-19 condition, and research on the subject is ongoing. Symptoms can appear even after recovery from an acute Covid episode. About 1 in 10 people with Covid still present with symptoms nine months after being infected. It's worth noting that these individuals do not present a risk to others after the initial 10-day window of infection.

In 2020, public health measures such as school closures and mandatory lockdowns for non-essential workers stemmed the spread of Covid. Policy measures and community-wide interventions save lives, so take heed of public health campaigns informed by medical experts with citizens' best interests in mind. Flu campaigns also highlight personal protective and social measures.

Both the flu and COVID-19 are contagious illnesses with overlapping symptoms, but they're caused by different viruses. Severe forms of the flu can be debilitating and even lethal, but it's more common to experience a severe bout of COVID-19. If you're unable to do a COVID test, knowing the distinctive symptoms of COVID-19, such as shortness of breath or a loss of smell, can alert you to the need for quarantining. Social distancing during COVID-19 can protect vulnerable individuals who are more likely to develop potentially fatal complications.

Finally, preventative measures such as immunization, sound hygiene practices, and masking can prevent the spread of flu and COVID-19.