It’s possible for people to spread the virus for about 2 days before experiencing signs or symptoms and remain contagious for at least 10 days after signs or symptoms first appeared. Both are spread mainly by droplets made when people with the illness (COVID-19 or flu) cough, sneeze, or talk. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. The typical symptoms of flu are relatively consistent – fever, cough and muscle aches. Researchers are evaluating many drugs and treatments for COVID-19. COVID-19 (coronavirus) drugs: Are there any that work? Unlike the flu and coronavirus (COVID-19), which are both respiratory viruses, strep throat is a bacterial infection. COVID-19 vs. the flu: What’s the difference between these two viruses? Track the latest COVID-19 trends on the U.S. coronavirus map. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has developed guidance on treatment of COVID-19external icon, which will be regularly updated as new evidence on treatment options emerges. Influenza Surveillance Report (FluView), Past Flu Seasons Flu Forecasting Accuracy Results, Tools to Prepare Your Practice for Flu Season, Information for Clinicians on Influenza Virus Testing, Multiplex Assays Authorized for Simultaneous Detection of Influenza Viruses and SARS-CoV-2, Information on Collection of Respiratory Specimens for Influenza Virus Testing, Information for Clinicians on Rapid Diagnostic Testing for Influenza, Information on Rapid Molecular Assays, RT-PCR, and other Molecular Assays for Diagnosis of Influenza Virus Infection, Algorithm: Interpreting Influenza Testing Results When Influenza is Circulating, Algorithm: Interpreting Influenza Testing Results When Influenza is NOT Circulating, Guide: Influenza Diagnostic Testing in Closed Setting Outbreaks, Guidance: Standard-Based Electronic Laboratory Reporting, Guidance: Antiviral and Obstetric Health Care, Guidance: Outbreak Management in Long-Term Care Facilities, Guidance: Use of Mask to Control Influenza Transmission, Guidance: Prevention & Control in Peri- and Postpartum Settings, Health Professional References & Resources, Responding to Problems with Purchasing Needles for Flu Vaccination, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults, People with certain underlying medical conditions, Acute respiratory distress syndrome (fluid in the lungs), Cardiac injury (for example, heart attacks and stroke), Multiple-organ failure (respiratory failure, kidney failure, shock), Worsening of chronic medical conditions (involving the lungs, heart, or nervous system or diabetes), Inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscle tissues, Secondary bacterial infections (infections that occur in people who have already been infected with flu or COVID-19), Blood clots in the veins and arteries of the lungs, heart, legs or brain. That is one of the biggest differences between the two right now: A flu vaccine exists, whereas a COVID-19 vaccine does not. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common symptoms that COVID-19 and flu share include: Flu viruses can cause mild to severe illness, including common signs and symptoms listed above. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Both COVID-19 and flu can have varying degrees of signs and symptoms, ranging from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe symptoms. COVID-19 appears to be more contagious and to spread more quickly than the flu. Both COVID-19 and flu can result in complications, including: Most people who get flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications. COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. Figuring out if you have COVID-19 vs. the flu can be a challenge. It can also take longer before people show symptoms and people can be contagious for longer. Accessed July 20, 2020. These are also common in COVID-19, but it’s become clear as the pandemic has progressed that COVID-19 symptoms vary more wildly than those of the flu – from no symptoms at all in some 45 percent of cases to deadly pneumonia and myriad cardiovascular and neurological issues, said Chin-Hong. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the flu have many similarities and differences. While COVID-19 and flu viruses are thought to spread in similar ways, COVID-19 is more contagious among certain populations and age groups than flu. Coronavirus has also been shown to cause a new loss of smell and/or taste. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis. The flu and COVID-19 are both highly-contagious respiratory illnesses, but they’re caused by different viruses. The flu vaccine can also reduce the severity of the flu and the risk of serious complications. Flu vs COVID-19: transmission. https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/download. Other signs and symptoms of COVID-19, different from flu, may include change in or loss of taste or smell. Standard precautions to reduce your risk of COVID-19, the flu and other respiratory infections include: Taking these prevention measures can help you stay healthy and reduce your risk of becoming ill with COVID-19 or the flu. Learn more about how the flu and COVID-19 differ. COVID-19 and the flu are caused by different viruses. But coronavirus has killed at a much faster rate. The flu is caused by influenza viruses – usually Influenza A or Influenza B viruses. But given it's also the flu season, how can you be sure whether you have coronavirus, a cold or the flu? How COVID-19, flu, cold, and allergies manifest and progress. COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. The viruses spread through respiratory droplets or aerosols released through talking, sneezing or coughing. Saving Lives, Protecting People, How long symptoms appear after exposure and infection, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Reconstruction of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic Virus, 2019-2020 Preliminary In-Season Burden Estimate, Who is at High Risk for Flu Complications, Who Should & Who Should NOT Get Vaccinated, Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV)/Nasal Spray Vaccine, Selecting Viruses for the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine, Flu Vaccine and People with Egg Allergies, Frequently Asked Questions on Vaccine Supply, Historical Reference of Vaccine Doses Distributed, Hospitalized Adult Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network (HAIVEN), How Vaccine Effectiveness and Efficacy are Measured, What People with a Staph Infection Should Know about Flu, Resources for Hosting a Vaccination Clinic, Overview of Influenza Surveillance in the United States, Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET), Weekly U.S. Appear at different times and have some differences treatments for COVID-19 and other respiratory infections What. 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