Maria Robinson, MDMaria Robinson, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and medical writer who promotes education as the foundation for good health.
With flu season just around the corner, many people are wondering if it’s possible to have COVID-19 and the flu at the same time. Since both viruses cause similar symptoms, it’s a good question to ask, and the answer is yes, it is possible.
Here we discuss what we do and don’t know about having COVID-19 and flu infections at the same time.
Can you get coinfected with COVID-19 and the flu?
Both the flu and COVID-19 can be passed from person to person. This happens through the spread of respiratory droplets produced by sneezing, coughing, or talking. COVID-19 and the flu are caused by different viruses, however. The flu is caused by an influenza virus while COVID-19 is caused by a new (or novel) coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Although the viruses cause similar illnesses, they use different receptors on our cells to get into the body. This means that COVID-19 could enter one way, while the flu enters another way, causing a double infection in the same person. So far this appears to be rare, but there have been a few reports of it happening. We also know that it’s not uncommon for a person to be coinfected with COVID-19 and other viruses, like those that cause the common cold.
There may be a few reasons why we haven’t seen more COVID-19 and flu double infections. The first is that flu season hasn’t really started yet. When it happens, more people may get both infections at the same time. Another reason is that people aren’t usually tested for both the flu and COVID-19. If someone tests positive for one, they don’t normally get tested for the other. This means that people who have both infections could be missed.
We also don’t know exactly how having one virus will affect having the other. It may be that having both together means a worse illness — or it may not. Also, some studies have shown that outbreaks of different respiratory viruses don’t usually peak at the same time. This means that the worst of one virus may not overlap with the worst of another virus. However, it’s important to note that we don’t know how COVID-19 and flu outbreaks will affect each other, if at all.
How do I know if I have both?
The only way to know if you have both is to be tested for both.
There are different types of COVID-19 testing available — some results are ready within an hour, and some can take several days. There are also several different tests for the flu, some of which can be ready in as little as 15 minutes.
A healthcare provider needs to order both tests. Check with your provider or local health department to find out more about what’s available.Don’t miss out on savings!Get the best ways to save on your prescriptions delivered to your inbox. By signing up, I agree to GoodRx’s terms of service and privacy policy.
Can I get tested for both COVID-19 and the flu?
It’s possible to be tested for both COVID-19 and the flu, but it doesn’t always happen.
If a person has symptoms of a respiratory illness — such as a fever, cough, or runny nose — their healthcare provider may order tests to check for different viruses. If one test comes back positive, the provider may not order additional tests.
As flu season starts, it’s possible that more healthcare providers will start testing for both COVID-19 and the flu. Tests are also being developed that will be able to test for both these viruses at the same time, which may make this more common.
What happens if I get both COVID-19 and the flu?
Most people who get the flu or COVID-19 have mild symptoms and may not need any medical care. Some people, including high-risk groups like those older than 65 or with certain medical conditions, may develop a more serious illness that can require hospitalization.
Additionally, there are similarities and differences in how each virus is treated. The medical community is still studying what medications work best to treat COVID-19, but there are several antiviral medications that we know can help treat the flu.
Since it hasn’t been studied well, we don’t know exactly what will happen when people get both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. It may be that the combination is worse — or not. Either way, if you develop symptoms of either COVID-19 or the flu, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know.
If I’ve had one, am I less likely to get the other?
No — having had one virus does not make it less likely that you’ll get the other. Since they are unrelated, infection with one does not make you immune to the other.
How to prevent catching one, the other, or both
Like with any virus, the best strategy is prevention. This includes taking steps to lessen the risk of getting COVID-19, the flu, or both.
The good news is that many of the steps you can take to prevent COVID-19 may also help to prevent you from getting the flu. You should:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Avoid close contact with known sick people
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes
- Keep a distance of at least 6 feet from people who don’t live in your house
- Wear a mask when in public
While these behaviors may help you avoid the flu, the best way to prevent it is to get the flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccine has been shown to keep people from getting the flu and also to prevent flu-related hospitalizations.
And as we wait for the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, it’s even more important to get the flu vaccine to lessen the risk of having both infections at the same time.
Leave a Reply