Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
FLU OR COVID?
Experts say know the difference and get a flu shot
WEST CHESTER » The flu season has officially just begun, and with so many people wearing masks because of the pandemic, many people are taking a relaxed attitude toward getting a flu shot this year.
But that’s not such a good idea, said Dr. Ray Carter, primary health care physician and pediatrician at ChristianaCare Primary Care Center at Concord Health Center.
“It’s super important this year for everyone to get a flu vaccine,” Carter said. “Masks are certainly a step in the right direction, but it’s just not good enough. We have a tried-andtrue vaccine that works well with minimal risk that offers maximum benefits.”
Carter said that entering the holiday season, with more people indoors, the prevalence of the flu increases.
“Masks and social distancing reduce the frequency of the flu,” he said. “But we are seeing COVBID spread and we know the flu is spread by similar means.”
Influenza and COVID-19 are both respiratory illnesses — they affect the lungs. It is possible to get both at the same time. Experts don’t know how the two viruses interact in the body, but say that having both at once could put those affected at a higher risk for life-threatening complications.
And as people getting the flu shot this year, medical experts say it will reduce the overall number of flu-related hospital visits, which could help save healthcare resources for the treatment of people suffering from COVID-19 this winter.
“The flu is still rather at a low level in the community right
now,” Carter said. “We’ll get more cases in late fall. As we enter the holiday season, it’s really important to make sure everyone is vaccinated ahead of time.”
There are some key differences between flu and COVID-19, according to medical experts at the Centers for Disease Control. COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. It can also take longer before people show symptoms and people can be contagious for longer. Another important difference is there is a vaccine to protect against flu. There is a promising vaccine for COVID-19 by Pfizer, but that likely won’t be available to the general public until spring of next year.
Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.
The major difference between the two is that COVID can cause more serious and prolonged illness in many people, especially the elderly. In both the flu and COVID-19, symptoms include fever, chills, cough, respiratory issues, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, muscle pains, and headaches. And those who have tested positive for coronavirus face the possibility of longer-term health respiratory issues.
“A flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu,” said Dr. Debra Powell, Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, and Medical Director, Infection Prevention at Tower Health. “The vaccine can also help reduce risk for individuals most vulnerable to serious flu complications, including young babies, pregnant women, older adults and those with compromised immune systems. It is important to remember that you may be able to pass the flu to someone else before you know you are sick. Healthy adults may be able to infect others a full day before their symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming ill.”
The flu season typically runs for four to six months. The flu vaccine has been as effective as 80 percent in some seasons, but as low as 30 percent in others. Flu vaccines this year are quadrivalent, meaning they provide protection against four different types of the flu. For Influenza A, the vaccine includes H3N2 and H1N1 – both new this year. For Influenza B, the vaccine covers the Victoria lineage, which is new this year, as well as the Yamagata lineage.
Many health professionals, including ChristianaCare, are finding great results with virtual care. Patients call in to describe symptoms and get professional advice immediately.
“For years, the medical community has wanted to (provide virtual care), but the pandemic has ushered in a new wave of virtual health care, and it’s safer,” Carter said.