As health experts are warning of a potential “lethal triple mix” of seasonal viruses this winter, people are being urged to have their flu vaccine to help prevent tens of thousands of deaths.
Some of the symptoms of influenza are similar to coronavirus – and it could be hard to tell the difference and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis – so some NHS trusts have put together a booklet to explain the signs and symptoms of flu and how they compare to Covid-19. Officials say it is important we all understand the similarities and differences so medics can respond to patient needs.
Flu and Covid-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Covid-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses.
Flu and Covid-19 share many characteristics, such as a dry cough and fever, but there are some slight differences. For Covid-19 often the symptoms include loss of taste and smell but there are other things too. Breathlessness occurs frequently in those with Covid-19 but not in flu. Similarly, fatigue frequently occurs in those with flu but only sometimes in those with Covid-19, as is the case with headaches and body aches.
For both Covid-19 and flu, one or more days can pass between a person becoming infected and when they start to experience symptoms. This means you can pass both illnesses on to friends and family without having any symptoms. If a person has Covid-19, it could take them longer to develop symptoms than if they had flu.
For both Covid-19 and flu, it’s possible to spread the virus for at least two days before experiencing any symptoms. If a person has Covid-19, they may be contagious for a longer period of time than if they had flu. Both can result in severe illness and complications.
Those at highest risk include older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions. One key difference is that the risk of complications for healthy children is higher for flu compared to Covid-19.
NHS trusts there has never been a more important time to make sure you, and those you care for, are protected against the flu. Where vaccines are available, we should use them to help keep everyone safe.
