Highlights
- COVID-19 and influenza are contagious respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses.
- COVID and the flu have many overlapping symptoms, which makes it difficult to tell them apart without diagnostic testing.
- COVID symptoms typically appear between two and 14 days after exposure, while flu symptoms typically appear between one and four days after exposure.
- COVID infection is generally more severe than the flu and can cause serious long-term complications in healthy adults.
- The best way to prevent COVID and the flu is to get vaccinated for both.
- The flu can be treated with antiviral medications if caught in time.
Hit with a new cough or other cold-like symptoms? With so many viruses going around, it can be hard to determine if it’s COVID vs. the flu. This article will discuss the differences between COVID-19 and influenza so you can access the right treatment for recovery.
COVID vs. the Flu
Influenza, also called the flu, and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they’re caused by different viruses. The flu is caused by infection from an influenza virus, while COVID is caused by infection from a coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
Like many viral infections, COVID and the flu spread in similar ways. COVID and the flu also have many overlapping symptoms, but they also have a few key differences.
Similarities between COVID and influenza include:
- How they spread
- Overlapping cold-like symptoms
- Most people can recover at home
- Some people are at a higher risk for severe illness and complications
- Infection can be prevented with vaccination
- Antiviral medications are available to help people recover
Differences between COVID and influenza include:
- The virus that causes infection
- How quickly the viruses mutate
- Severity of symptoms and long-term complications
- Infectious period
- Different vaccines are used to prevent infection
- Different antiviral medications are used to treat each virus
To make things more complicated, you can become infected with both COVID and influenza at the same time. The best way to determine which infection(s) you have is to see a provider for diagnostic testing.
Which Is More Severe?
Both COVID and the flu can cause severe illness and long-term complications in people considered high risk. When compared with influenza, COVID has been shown to cause more severe infection and serious complications in healthy children and adults. COVID infection typically lasts longer, and people tend to be contagious for a longer period of time.
People considered high risk for severe infection and complications from both COVID and the flu include:
- Older adults
- People with compromised immune systems or existing health conditions
- People who are pregnant
Serious complications from COVID include, but aren’t limited to:
- Chronic fatigue
- Blood clots
- Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (in children)
- Post-COVID conditions
- Pulmonary issues
Which Spreads More Easily?
COVID and the flu can be spread from close contact with an infected person. They are both spread through particles expelled when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. Most people are infected by breathing in these particles, but some people can become infected after touching a contaminated surface and then touching their own eyes, nose, or mouth.
Current data suggests that COVID spreads more easily than influenza. Several factors can contribute to COVID transmission, including:
- Superspreader events. The virus that causes COVID can spread quickly among people, which results in more superspreading events than the flu.
- Symptoms. People can be contagious and spread COVID before they show any symptoms. Some people can even be contagious without ever showing symptoms.
- Length of illness. COVID infection typically lasts longer than the flu. This means there is a greater window of time for someone to pass the virus to another person.
- Reinfection. People can become infected with COVID more than once.
- Aerosolized particles. COVID particles can become aerosolized, meaning they can remain in the air for minutes to hours after being expelled from an infected person.
Is it COVID or the Flu?
COVID and influenza share many of the same symptoms. Infections can range from mild to severe. Some people may become infected without showing any symptoms.
Overlapping COVID and flu symptoms include:
- Cough
- Diarrhea (most common in children)
- Fatigue
- Fever or chills
- Headache
- Muscle pain or body aches
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Temporary changes in sense of taste or smell (most common in COVID)
- Vomiting
Key Differences in Symptoms
The average symptom onset and length of infection differ between COVID and influenza.
COVID symptoms typically appear between two and 14 days following exposure. COVID symptoms tend to come on gradually, and they tend to last longer than the flu. Some people also develop long COVID, which can last for weeks after infection, and in some cases, much longer.
Flu symptoms typically appear between one and four days following exposure to an influenza virus. Flu symptoms tend to come on suddenly. Flu infections tend to resolve within a few days or up to two weeks.
COVID vs. Influenza: Diagnosis
You cannot distinguish between a COVID and flu infection without testing. COVID and influenza require specific tests to confirm diagnosis.
You can perform a rapid test using an at-home testing kit for COVID. However, testing in a provider’s office can get you more accurate results.
Your provider will likely perform a physical exam and order tests to confirm your diagnosis. They may test you for COVID, influenza, and strep throat.
COVID vs. Influenza: Treatment
Most people can recover at home from a COVID or flu infection with over-the-counter medications. People who are considered high-risk or who have severe symptoms should seek medical care to reduce their risk for complications. Seeking care as early as possible can help you to get the best treatment possible.
There are different prescription antiviral medications available to support recovery from COVID and the flu. Your provider can help you to determine if antiviral medications are right for you.
Because both conditions are caused by viruses rather than bacteria, antibiotics will not relieve your symptoms.
Influenza Treatment
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved four antiviral medications to treat the flu:
- Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
- Zanamivir (Relenza)
- Peramivir (Rapivab)
- Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza)
The FDA has approved certain antiviral medications, like nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid) to treat COVID-19 in some people. The antiviral medications used to treat COVID are different from the medications used to treat the flu. These medications may not be right for everyone and may require close monitoring.
COVID Treatment
The FDA has also approved the use of certain monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID. These antibodies help your body recognize and respond more effectively to the virus.
COVID and Influenza Prevention
The best way to prevent the flu and COVID is to get vaccinated. Although vaccines aren’t 100 percent effective, they can significantly reduce your risk of developing severe symptoms and health complications.
Influenza Prevention
There are multiple influenza vaccines available to protect against seasonal flu. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that most people six months or older get vaccinated for the flu.
COVID Prevention
The FDA has also approved multiple vaccines to protect against COVID-19. Your provider can recommend the best vaccine and booster based on your individual health factors.
COVID and Influenza Prevention
In addition to getting vaccinated, you can prevent the spread of COVID and the flu by:
- Wearing a face mask in public places
- Frequently washing your hands with soap and water
- Covering all coughs and sneezes in a tissue or the crook of your elbow
- Staying home while you’re sick
- Avoiding contact with people who are symptomatic
- Keeping physical distance from others in public spaces
Find the Lowest Price for All Your Medications
BidRx can help you get all of your medications at the best possible price. Once you’ve signed up, you can create a bid for the medications you need. We invite pharmacies across the country to compete to offer you the lowest price possible. You can choose to pick your prescription up locally or have it delivered directly to your door from your preferred online, mail-order, or specialty service provider.
Create your bid and start saving today!
