Here's the difference between COVID and Flu symptoms
With increasing reports of respiratory infections like influenza and COVID-19 across India, it’s important to take notice of any concerning signs, find out whether they have an infection (and which one), and seek care appropriately – all while being careful not to spread the infection further.
India currently has over 60 thousand active COVID-19 cases, with roughly more than 5,900 active cases in Maharashtra alone. Simultaneously, India’s flu cases have also been high this season, following a 16-fold rise in flu cases last year as compared to in 2021. Such viral infections can have an impact across the nation, including by placing a burden on India’s healthcare system and practitioners. Infection can also affect the quality of people’s daily lives, their health outcomes, and even their work and productivity levels.
Difference between symptoms of COVID-19 and flu
Infections like the flu and COVID-19 share many common symptoms, which are important to look out for. Overlapping symptoms include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle pain or body ache, sore throat, and fatigue (while one differentiator is the change in or loss of taste or smell, which is much more frequent with COVID-19). As a result, it is not easy to identify either based on symptoms alone – making testing important. Dr Agam Vora, Chest Physician & Medical Director, Vora Clinic, Mumbai, said, “With different types of respiratory tract infections spreading in parallel, it can become difficult for people to identify the type of infection they have, which could result in unnecessary or incorrect treatment. Understanding an individual’s type of illness, which can be done with testing, is incredibly important as this guides appropriate treatment.”Simple steps to take care of your health:
Get tested:
If you have symptoms, seek diagnosis. Identifying the infection you’re affected by is an important first step to care. Consult your doctor, and test for suspected respiratory infections – either with a self-test, or at the point of care. Rapid testing options are available for various respiratory tract infections, supporting fast, simple, and accurate diagnosis—the information you need to determine the appropriate treatment.
Monitor your condition:
Keep an eye on your symptoms and their intensity – such as if your fever is rising, or any symptoms are getting worse, at which point you should consult your doctor. With early diagnosis, you can promptly seek treatment. Make sure to properly adhere to the full course of medication and guidelines your doctor may have prescribed, to help relieve symptoms and fight the infection.
Take care of yourself:
Get plenty of rest and sleep. Take it easy, stay well hydrated (such as with water, broths, coconut water, or fresh juice), and eat healthy. Whether COVID-19 or the flu, you should avoid going to work. Instead, isolate so you can take the time you need to recuperate, while also ensuring the infection is not spread further to other people at work or beyond.
The takeaway:
Following these steps and speaking to your doctor can ensure your better health. Also, if you are not showing signs of infection, remember to continue following preventive measures to protect yourself and your loved ones, whether at the workplace or elsewhere. Vaccinations – which are different for flu and COVID-19 – are an important preventive behaviour, as are handwashing, social distancing, wearing masks, and avoiding being near people who are ill.
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