Is this coronavirus, or just allergies? | Symptoms of COVID-19| Differences between COVID-19 and flu

Hi everyone, welcome back to my channel! Today I am going to share with you one of the most common questions related to COVID-19 that will help you understand how COVID-19 is different from common flu? Although these two can cause similar symptoms, there are several differences as well. 

So, in this blog, we will discuss some of the common points related to both COVID-19 and the flu including their symptoms, severity of the disease, treatment options, precautions, and others. So, let’s begin:

So, the first thing I want to discuss here is the 

Incubation Period - Both COVID-19 and flu are respiratory illnesses that spread from person to person. COVID-19 can develop between 1 to 14 days. However, the median incubation period for COVID-19 is about 5 to 6 days. Whereas, flu symptoms usually appear in 1 to 4 days. And, the incubation period for cold is 1 to 3 days.

Symptoms- In cases of COVID-19 and cold, the onset of symptoms is usually gradual whereas, flu symptoms are mostly abrupt. Commonly, cough occurs in both the cases of COVID-19 and flu whereas, during cold, cough can be mild to moderate.

Shortness of breath: This is a common symptom of COVID-19 whereas, in flu, it may appear sometimes. In cases of cold, sometimes, a person might experience mild shortness of breath.

Fever & fatigue: Fever & fatigue are common symptoms of COVID-19 and flu whereas, in cold, fever can only occur sometimes.

Runny nose and nasal congestion: These are the common symptoms of cold whereas, in flu and COVID-19 it happen only sometimes.

Body aches or Headache: Although these symptoms are common in the flu, they can sometimes occur in COVID-19.

Sore throat: It is common in cold and sometimes also occurs in COVID-19 and flu. 

Loss of appetite: It is common in flu but sometimes, also occurs in COVID-19 and cold.

Respiratory issues: It is a common symptom of COVID-19 but sometimes, it also occurs in the flu and cold.

Chills: Although chills are fairly common in the flu, it can sometimes also occur in COVID-19 and cold.

New loss of taste or smell: Sometimes, it can occur in COVID-19 and flu.

Severity and Mortality - Severity means that how severe the disease can occur and the mortality rate is the probability of death among the infected cases.

• Both COVID-19 and flu symptoms can range from mild to severe and both can also cause pneumonia.

• According to the WHO, Mild symptoms of COVID-19 that usually don’t require hospitalization include fever, cough, fatigue, loss of appetite, sore throat, and headache.

• Some other potential symptoms of COVID-19 by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include breathlessness, muscle pain, chills, and new loss of taste or smell. 

• According to the WHO, about 15% of COVID-19 cases are severe and 5% are critical who need critical care or ventilation.

• As compared to flu, the chances of severe and critical infection are higher with COVID-19. Also, COVID-19 is more deadly and appears to have a higher mortality rate compared to the flu.

• The WHO reported in April 2020, that "globally, about 3.4% of reported COVID-19 cases have died. By comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1% of those infected."

• The new report released by the CDC on 22nd May 2020 stated that the estimated overall infection fatality rate (IFR) of COVIDー19 is about 0.26 %.

• However, as research on COVID-19 is still in its early stages and therefore, it is possible that these estimates may change over time.

Transmission of the disease -

• Both COVID-19 and flu viruses can spread through person to person contact.

• Tiny droplets containing the viruses can pass from someone with the infection to someone else, typically through the nose and mouth through coughing and sneezing.

• Viruses can live on surfaces for days and people can transmit the flu or coronavirus to other people who are 6 feet away. Therefore, it is advisable to stay away from anyone coughing or sneezing to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 infection.

• The speed of transmission is also different between the two viruses; flu symptoms appear sooner and can spread faster than the COVID virus.

 Available treatment options -

• For the flu, there are antipyretic drugs that are usually prescribed by the physicians to reduce the symptoms by one to two days.

• Antiviral drugs are available to help the body fight the flu viruses. These medicines treat symptoms and reduce the time a person remains sick.  

• However, as COVID-19 is relatively new, there are no antiviral drugs approved for this disease. Scientists need more time to study the disease and the virus. Several drugs are in their trial stages and possibly these scientists will soon be able to develop a potential antiviral drug for COVID-19.

• Although there are no approved drugs for COVID-19, doctors are trying to treat the symptoms and any complications that can occur with the help of various drug combinations.

• For mild cases, a person does not require hospitalization and should remain home and follow social distancing to avoid the transmission of infection to others. Doctors may prescribe some antipyretic drugs to reduce the fever to that person. 

• However, for severe cases, a person may require oxygen support or a ventilator.

Preventive Measures -

• Vaccines are available as an effective method of prevention from flu virus whereas, for COVID-19, currently, there are no vaccines available as the virus is new and the development of safe and effective vaccines takes time.

• Some other best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 includes:

• Washing hands regularly.

• Avoiding touching the face (ears, eyes, nose area)

• Keeping at least 6 feet distance from anyone sneezing and coughing.

• Wearing the mask especially when sneezing or coughing.

• Staying at home if feeling unwell.

• Try working from home if possible.

• Avoiding crowds and gathering of any size