Don’t confuse COVID-19 with the flu
Q: Aren’t the flu and COVID-19 basically the same thing?
A: Many people have compared COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, to influenza (or “the flu”). While there are similarities, they are different diseases, and both should be taken very seriously.
The similarities are that both are caused by viruses and both are respiratory diseases. They both are spread through respiratory droplets expelled when coughing, sneezing or even singing or loud talking or shouting. They both can cause fever, cough and muscle aches. It is very difficult to tell them apart without a test, and it certainly is possible to have both at the same time. They are both more likely to cause serious disease in older individuals, those with chronic medical problems, pregnant women or those with impaired immune systems. The most common serious complication for both diseases is pneumonia.
There are also significant differences. For one thing, they are caused by different viruses. The medical community knows a lot about the virus that causes the flu, but still has much to learn about the new coronavirus. There is a vaccine for influenza, which everyone should get every year (unless you have a medical condition or allergy that prevents that). There is no vaccine for coronavirus (yet), and the flu vaccine will not prevent coronavirus. There are medications that can help with flu, but so far the few promising treatments for coronavirus are approved for emergency use only.
COVID-19 also has been shown to be both more contagious and more deadly than the flu. This is demonstrated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report on the most serious recent flu pandemic, the H1N1 “swine flu” pandemic of 2009-10. During the first year of that epidemic, the CDC estimates that there were 60.8 million cases and 12,469 deaths in the United States. So far this year, out of almost
3 million cases there have been more than 130,000 deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S. The CDC also states that “COVID-19 is more contagious among certain populations and age groups than flu. Also, COVID-19 has been observed to have more superspreading events than flu.” (Read more at cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/ flu-vs-covid19.htm.)
The illnesses caused by the coronavirus and influenza also have some differences. For one thing, influenza is more likely to affect children. However, that doesn’t mean the coronavirus can’t affect children. There have been children who have gotten very sick from the coronavirus and some who have died. Coronavirus is more likely to cause shortness of breath, and many people present with loss of taste and smell.
In summary, influenza and COVID-19 are both serious illnesses, but they do have differences and we should not assume that what is true for one is also true for the other. There is some good news in that the precautions we take against the flu virus also can help decrease the spread of COVID-19, such as washing hands frequently, staying home if you’re sick, wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. It is also critical to remember that, as we begin to enter the “flu season” in the next few months, we can help to prevent the flu with an immunization. That is why it is more important than ever that you get your flu shot this year so you will have one less thing to worry about while we continue to battle COVID-19.
Dr. Paul M. Hendricks is health officer for the Hamilton County Health Department and a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.