Flu season starts in the fall, and this year, the continuing coronavirus pandemic will complicate the picture. COVID-19 and the flu are both contagious respiratory illnesses. You may be wondering:
- If you get sick, what should you do?
- How important is it to get your flu shot this year? (Spoiler alert: very.)
- Will the flu season be bad this year?
Infectious disease expert Lisa Maragakis offers insights on what to keep in mind as you prepare for the fall and winter flu season.
Flu and Coronavirus Symptoms: How do I tell them apart?
Unfortunately, the short answer is, you can’t. If you come down with any kind of illness, the best thing to do is call your doctor, explain your symptoms and self-quarantine until you know what’s going on.
SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is a new germ we haven’t encountered before, and symptoms can vary from one person to the next.
Because some coronavirus symptoms are similar to those of bronchitis, the common cold, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), this year it is likely that a test will be necessary to tell the difference.
If You Have Symptoms: What to Do
Call your doctor. If you or your child has a fever, cough, congestion, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or any other symptoms of infectious illness, stay home, call your doctor and follow his or her recommendation. It is likely that he or she will recommend that you are tested for the flu and COVID-19.
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