We understand the term ‘pandemic’ now as coronavirus led to the pandemic and led to the saddest sight of all the time. Flu and coronavirus are both respiratory illnesses as well as contagious. They are, however, both respiratory illnesses caused by distinct viruses. But, the similarity in symptoms makes it difficult to differentiate between them.
Coronavirus vs Flu
The main difference between coronavirus and flu is that coronavirus is caused by a coronavirus that was very recently discovered in 2019. Meanwhile, Flu is caused by the influenza virus. Secondly, Coronavirus spreads faster than flu. Thirdly, Coronavirus symptoms are experienced after 2 to 14 days of infection, while symptoms of the flu might appear after 1 to 4 days. Fourthly, coronavirus involves a lot of complications, such as blood clots, MIS – C, and MIS -A, as well as long COVID. Meanwhile, Flu can lead to complications, such as diarrhea in kids, and secondary bacterial infections. Lastly, a covid patient is maybe contagious longer than a flu patient.
Coronavirus also known as Covid-19. It is caused by a coronavirus that was identified recently in 2019. The spread of coronavirus is faster than flu, and a patient may be contagious for an extended period. Although, it may show symptoms after a few days, and symptoms are usually experienced after 2 to 14 days of infection. coronavirus involves a lot of complications, such as blood clots, MIS – C, and MIS -A as well as long COVID.
Flu is caused by an influenza virus The spread of flu is slower than coronavirus and a patient may be contagious for a shorter period. Although, it may show symptoms after 1 to 4 days of infection. Flu involves a lot of complications, such as diarrhea in children and secondary bacterial infections.
Comparison Table Between Coronavirus and Flu
| Parameters of comparison | Coronavirus | Flu |
| Cause | Coronavirus is caused by a coronavirus that is identified recently in 2019. | Flu is caused by the influenza virus. |
| Spread | Coronavirus spreads faster. | Flu spreads lower. |
| Symptoms | Coronavirus symptoms are experienced after 2 to 14 days of infection. | flu symptoms can be experienced after 1 to 4 days. |
| Complications | Coronavirus involves a lot of complications, such as blood clots, MIS – C, and MIS -A as well as long COVID. | Flu can lead to complications, such as diarrhea in kids, and secondary bacterial infections. |
| Contagious | A covid patient is maybe contagious longer than a flu patient. | A flu patient is contagious for a shorter period than a covid patient. |
What is Coronavirus?
A virus named coronavirus was identified in 2019 and it spread so faster that resulted in the pandemic. It is also known as COVID-19. It is a contagious respiratory illness that created havoc around the world.
It is said that coronavirus spreads faster than flu. So, it is more contagious, but coronavirus and flu show similar symptoms. Therefore, it’s hard to differentiate between them.
Coronavirus may show symptoms after a few days, and symptoms are usually experienced after 2 to 14 days of infection. And symptoms are fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle pain or body aches, headache, vomiting or diarrhea, and change in or loss of taste or smell. Apparently, change in or loss of taste or smell is usually related to COVID – 19.
Additionally, a patient experiences symptoms usually for five days. Also, a patient may be contagious for a longer period than a flu patient.
It also transfers from a person-to-person, when they’re close. Moreover, it is carried through sneeze, cough, or talk that contains large or small particles with viruses.
The higher risk of infection is in older people, people with certain underlying conditions, and pregnant women. And covid may lead to serious illness in some people.
Lastly, coronavirus involves a lot of complications, such as blood clots, MIS – C, and MIS -A as well as long COVID.
What is Flu?
A virus named influenza causes flu and it spread slower than coronavirus. However, It is also a contagious respiratory illness that usually recovers faster.
It is said that flu spreads slower than coronavirus. So, it is less contagious, However, coronavirus and flu show similar symptoms. Therefore, it’s hard to differentiate between them.
Flu may show symptoms after a few days, and symptoms are usually experienced after 1 to 4 days of infection. And symptoms are fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle pain or body aches, headache, vomiting or diarrhea, and change in or loss of taste or smell same as covid -19. Apparently, change in or loss of taste or smell is usually related to COVID – 19, so it may not be a sign of flu.
Also, a patient may be contagious for a shorter period than a coronavirus patient.
Spreading of covid and flu is the same as they both are respiratory illnesses. It also transfers from a person-to-person, when they’re close. Moreover, it is carried through sneeze, cough, or talk that contains large or small particles with viruses.
The higher risk of infection is in older people, people with certain underlying conditions, and pregnant women. And covid may lead to serious illness in some people.
Lastly, Flu involves a lot of complications, such as diarrhea in kids, and secondary bacterial infections.
Main Differences between Coronavirus and Flu
Coronavirus and flu share a lot of similarities, therefore, it is hard to tell them apart by just observing. Although, testing is one of the options for differentiating precisely. However, there are many differences between them.
- Coronavirus is caused by a coronavirus that is identified recently in 2019. Meanwhile, Flu is caused by the influenza virus.
- Coronavirus spreads faster, while flu spreads slower than covid.
- Coronavirus symptoms are experienced after 2 to 14 days of infection, while flu symptoms can be experienced after 1 to 4 days.
- Coronavirus involves a lot of complications, such as blood clots, MIS – C, and MIS -A as well as long COVID. Meanwhile, Flu can lead to complications, such as diarrhea in kids, and secondary bacterial infections.
- A covid patient is maybe contagious longer, while a flu patient may be contagious for a shorter period.
Conclusion
Since the coronavirus and the flu are so similar, it’s difficult to tell them apart merely by looking at them. Testing is one of the possibilities for accurately distinguishing. However, there are several distinctions between them.
Coronavirus, commonly known as Covid-19, is a kind of virus. It’s caused by a coronavirus that was only recently discovered in 2019. Coronavirus spreads quicker than influenza, and a patient may remain infectious for longer. Although symptoms may appear after a few days, they generally appear between 2 and 14 days after infection. Blood clots, MIS – C, and MIS -A, as well as protracted COVID, are all consequences of the coronavirus.
An influenza virus causes the flu. The flu spreads more slowly than the coronavirus, and a patient may be infectious for a shorter length of time. However, symptoms may appear after 1 to 4 days of illness. The flu can cause a variety of problems, including diarrhea in children and subsequent bacterial infections.
References
- https://www.nber.org/papers/w26866
- https://science.sciencemag.org/content/369/6506/890.summary