It’s true that the flu and COVID-19 are both respiratory illnesses and have similar symptoms, but they are caused by two completely different viruses. Because of this, a COVID-19 vaccine won’t protect against the flu and vice versa.
Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway further highlights the similarities and the differences between the two viruses.
What Is the Flu?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness. In rare cases, it can lead to death.
The best way to battle and lower your risk of getting the flu is by getting the flu vaccine. While the vaccine helps protect against the virus, it doesn’t totally eliminate your risk of getting it. If you do get it, the vaccine helps lessen the severity of the virus and recover faster. We’ve listed some common symptoms of the flu below.
Common Flu Symptoms
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Physical fatigue
What Is COVID-19, and How Is It Different from the Flu?
COVID-19 is caused by an infection with a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The biggest difference between COVID-19 and the flu is that it’s caused by a different, more contagious virus.
The CDC also highlights that COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than the flu and causes more serious illnesses. It also takes longer to show COVID-19 symptoms than with the flu. We’ve listed some of those common COVID-19 symptoms below.
Common Symptoms of COVID-19
- Cough
- Loss of taste or smell
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever or chills
- Headaches
As we enter peak flu season, we hope you feel better informed about these two viruses. If you have any questions or health concerns, please don’t hesitate to visit or reach out to our AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway team today!
