Signs and symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of influenza?
The most common symptoms in infected patients are a sudden onset of fever, muscle pain, body aches, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, feeling tired or unwell and headache.
The symptoms develop anywhere from one to four days after infection and lasts for two to seven days. For the majority of people, the symptoms are commonly resolved without treatment.
Complicated influenza infections can cause serious illness and in some cases, death.
Severely ill patients with influenza should be admitted to the hospital. The commonest complication of influenza is pneumonia.
What is the difference between the flu and Covid-19?
While influenza and Covid-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses caused by viruses, the viruses that cause them are not the same. Covid-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called Sars-CoV-2), and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses.
Both viruses can cause mild to severe illness and present similar symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, a runny or blocked nose, muscle pains or body aches and fatigue.
Covid-19, on the other hand, seems to spread more easily than flu and can result in a more serious illness in certain people.
Other signs and symptoms of Covid-19, different from flu, may include a change in or a loss of taste or smell.
Covid-19 infected people can also take longer to show symptoms, and they can be contagious for longer periods. Since some flu and Covid19 symptoms are similar, it may be difficult to differentiate between them based on symptoms alone, and laboratory testing may be needed to confirm a diagnosis.
Can I get flu and Covid-19 at the same time?
Yes, it is possible to have both the flu and Covid-19 at the same time if both viruses are circulating in the community.
If you suspect you have either of the diseases, it is recommended that you go to your doctor or clinic for further assessment.
Do I have to take the influenza vaccine if I have the Sars-CoV-2 vaccine or vice versa?
Yes. The influenza vaccine will protect you against influenza and the Sars-CoV-2 vaccine will protect you against Covid-19. A minimum of a 14-day waiting period between the two vaccines is recommended. | For more information, visit www.nicd.ac.za