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COVID-19 vs. flu: Similarities and differences
COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the flu have many similarities and differences. Find out what to know and how to protect yourself from these diseases.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have heard that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is similar to the flu (influenza). COVID-19 and the flu are both contagious respiratory diseases. They are both caused by viruses. They have some common symptoms. But COVID-19 and flu infections can affect people differently. Also, since the flu has been around much longer, health care providers know more about how to treat it, while they continue to learn more about COVID-19.
The viruses that cause COVID-19 and the flu spread in similar ways. They both can spread between people who are in close contact. They can spread farther when people are in a poorly ventilated indoor space. The viruses spread through respiratory droplets or aerosols released through talking, sneezing or coughing. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of someone nearby or be inhaled. These viruses also can spread if a person touches a surface with one of the viruses on it and then touches the mouth, nose or eyes.
COVID-19 and the flu have many symptoms in common, including:
The signs and symptoms of both diseases can range from no symptoms to mild or severe symptoms. Because COVID-19 and the flu have similar symptoms, it can be hard to diagnose which condition you have based on your symptoms alone. Testing may be done to see if you have COVID-19 or the flu. You also can have both diseases at the same time.
Both COVID-19 and the flu can lead to serious complications, such as:
Many people with the flu or mild symptoms of COVID-19 can recover at home with rest and fluids. But some people become seriously ill from the flu or COVID-19 and need to stay in the hospital. These infections also may be deadly.
COVID-19 and the flu have several differences, including different causes, complications and treatments. COVID-19 and the flu also spread differently, have different severity levels and a few different symptoms, and can be prevented by different vaccines.
COVID-19 and the flu are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, while flu is caused by influenza A and B viruses.
Symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu appear at different times and have some differences. COVID-19 symptoms generally appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. Flu symptoms usually appear about 1 to 4 days after exposure.
COVID-19 appears to be contagious for a longer time and to spread more quickly than the flu. With COVID-19, you may be more likely to experience loss of taste or smell.
Severe illness is more frequent with COVID-19 than with the flu. Compared with historical flu cases, COVID-19 may cause more hospital stays and death for people age 18 and older, even those who have no other health challenges.
So far, more than 95 million people have had COVID-19 in the U.S. as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 1 million people have died of COVID-19 in the U.S.
By comparison, during the 2021-2022 flu season in the U.S., between 8 and 13 million people had the flu and between 5,000 and 14,000 people died of the flu.
COVID-19 can cause different complications from the flu, such as blood clots, post-COVID conditions and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Flu infection leads to secondary bacterial infection more often than COVID-19 infection does.
Another difference is that the flu can be treated with a few different antiviral drugs. Only one antiviral drug, called remdesivir, is currently approved to treat COVID-19. Researchers are evaluating many drugs and treatments for COVID-19. Some drugs may help reduce the severity of COVID-19.
You can get an annual flu vaccine to help reduce your risk of the flu. The flu vaccine also can reduce the severity of the flu and the risk of serious complications.
Each year's flu vaccine provides protection from the three or four influenza viruses that are expected to be the most common during that year's flu season. The vaccine can be given as a shot, also called an injection, or as a nasal spray.
The flu vaccine doesn't prevent you from getting COVID-19. Also, research shows that getting the flu vaccine does not make you more likely to get other respiratory infections. Getting the flu vaccine may lower your risk of COVID-19 infection.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use authorization or approval to four COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. A vaccine can prevent you from getting the COVID-19 virus or prevent you from becoming seriously ill if you get the COVID-19 virus.
You are considered up to date with your vaccines if you have gotten all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including booster doses, when you become eligible.
Flu season in North America is highest in December, January and February. It's possible that the viruses that cause COVID-19 and the flu may spread in your community at the same time during the flu season. If this happens, people could become ill with one or both diseases at the same time.
Testing can determine which virus you may have and help guide health care providers to the appropriate treatment. People who become seriously ill from either virus may need to stay in the hospital, which could cause the hospitals to become full. Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and the flu can help reduce the spread of the viruses that cause these diseases.
Get the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine. You can get both at the same visit if they are due at the same time. You also can take the same steps to reduce your risk of infection from the viruses that cause COVID-19, the flu and other respiratory infections by following several standard precautions. The CDC recommends following these precautions:
If you become sick with the flu, you can help prevent the spread of the flu by staying home and away from others. Continue to stay home until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours.
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This period of time before you get symptoms of infection is called the incubation period. In cases of the flu, this is usually between one and four days.
Influenza, often just called the flu, is a respiratory illness thats caused by a virus. Its contagious, meaning it spreads from person to person.
While influenza viruses can circulate year-round, theyre more common in the fall and winter months of the year. This period is referred to as the flu season.
But once you get the virus, how long does it take to start feeling flu symptoms? Read on to learn more about how the flu develops and when it becomes contagious.
While the general incubation period for the flu is usually between one and four days, this period can vary from person to person. The average incubation period for the flu is two days.
This means that, on average, people start to develop flu symptoms about two days after coming into contact with the influenza virus.
Several things can influence how long the incubation period is for the flu, including:
Once you have the influenza virus, you can spread it to other people about a day before you first notice symptoms.
Remember, the average incubation period for the flu is about two days. So, if you come into contact with virus on Saturday morning, you can potentially start spreading it to others by Sunday evening. And by Monday afternoon, youll likely start feeling the dreaded body aches that come with the flu.
Viral shedding refers to the release of the virus from your body into your surrounding environment. It tends to peak during your first day experiencing symptoms. This means youre usually most contagious on this day. Once you develop symptoms, youll still be contagious for another five to seven days.
Children, older adults, and those with a weakened immune system may be contagious for a longer period of time.
Its often hard to know when you have the flu coming on. Unlike the symptoms of the common cold, which develop gradually, the symptoms of the flu often come on suddenly.
The common symptoms of the flu can include:
Children may also experience nausea, vomiting, or ear pain when they have the flu.
Symptoms of the flu typically last anywhere from three to seven days, thought you might feel lingering fatigue or weakness for up to two weeks. Learn more about how long the flu lasts.
The flu mostly spreads through respiratory particles that are released when your cough and sneeze. If you have the flu and sneeze in a crowded area, those around you can inhale the particles of your sneeze and get the virus.
The virus can also be transmitted through coming into contact with objects or surfaces, such as a door handle or keyboard, that are coated in these respiratory particles. If you touch a contaminated object and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, you may get the flu.
If you already have the flu, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of passing it to others:
The flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection thats common in the colder months of the year. Once youve encountered the virus, it can take between one and four days to develop symptoms. Once you have the virus, youll be contagious starting about a day before you notice symptoms.
If you want to avoid the flu altogether, the Centers for Disease Control recommends getting the seasonal flu shot as your best bet. Heres a look at the pros and cons of the flu shot.
