How to Tell the Difference Between the Flu & COVID19

by Dr. Jen Caudle

Influenza and COVID19 have a number of overlapping symptoms which could make it difficult to tell them apart.

According to the CDC, both the Flu and COVID can have the following symptoms:

Fever

Cough

difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Sore throat

Runny/stuffy nose

Muscle pain or body aches

Headache

Gastrointestinal symptoms

While the above symptoms often occur in both the flu and in COVID, symptoms that can set the two apart include a change or loss in taste or smell. A change/loss of taste or smell is not common with the flu but may occur in COVID patients.

There are other differences/similarities as well. With influenza, symptoms tend to develop 1-4 days after infection whereas COVID symptoms may appear anywhere from 2-14 days after infection.

Both COVID and the Flu are spread the same way- through upper respiratory droplets made when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks as well as person-person contact.

In addition, both the Flu and COVID can have severe complications. It should be noted, however, that COVID can lead to MISC- Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Kids and blood clots in blood vessels and organs. These complications appear to be unique to COVID.

I hope this is helpful! Dr. Jen

Sign up for my free newsletter at www.drjencaudle.com and follow me for daily health videos: www.facebook.com/drjencaudle and www.youtube.com/drjencaudle.