Background
- COVID-19 infections are widespread and will likely stay with us like the flu.
- During the winter, influenza (flu) infections also become widespread.
- Here is some advice on what to do when both viruses are in town.
COVID-19 and Flu - How They are Similar
- Presenting Symptoms.
They are nearly the same. You will not be able to tell them apart when you are sick.
- Fever and cough are the most common symptoms for both.
- Other respiratory symptoms such as sore throat and runny nose are common for both.
- Muscle aches and feeling very tired are seen with both.
- The only helpful symptom is loss of taste or smell. It points to COVID-19, but it only occurs in 15% of COVID-19 patients.
- Viral Tests. Tests are available for both viruses. Both are done with nose or throat swabs. Testing is the only way to tell the right diagnosis. It's the only way to know for sure what someone has.
- Types of Complications. These are nearly the same. The most common serious symptom is trouble breathing (shortness of breath). It usually means the patient has developed pneumonia. Other complications in young children are croup or wheezing (tight breathing). They are due to a child's smaller airway and can occur with either virus.
- High-Risk Factors for Complications. The most common high-risk factors are older age (elderly), weak immune system (from illness or medicines), lung disease, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. The CDC's high-risk patient list for the flu is similar to the list for patients with COVID-19.
- How it Spreads. Both are spread person-to-person by respiratory droplets. Droplets are produced by coughing, sneezing, shouting or singing. They get inhaled by a nearby person or quickly fall to the floor or ground.
- How Soon Symptoms Occur after Exposure. The incubation period is how many days after close contact with a sick person the symptoms start. Flu and COVID-19 symptoms start on the average 2 or 3 days after exposure to a sick person.
- Home Isolation for Sick People with Symptoms. Home isolation for flu and COVID-19 is recommended until the fever has been gone for at least 24 hours and symptoms are improving.
- Infections without Symptoms. Both infections can occur without causing any symptoms (asymptomatic people). These people can spread the disease to others. But, spread by people with no symptoms happens at a much lower rate than for people with symptoms.
- Home Treatment. It's the same for both viruses. Treat the symptoms that bother you the most. Provide symptom relief as needed for the cough, sore throat and fever. Drink extra fluids and stay well-hydrated. When tired, get extra rest. See the COVID-19 Diagnosed or Suspected care guide for details.
- Prevention. Getting the vaccines and booster shots can help prevent both diseases. In most people, vaccines can prevent the infections from getting severe. Wearing face masks and social distancing have been proven to help prevent both diseases.
COVID-19 and Flu - How They Differ
- Anti-viral and Monoclonal Antibody Medicines.
- Flu: prescription anti-virals given by mouth (such as Tamiflu) are readily available and approved for those 2 weeks and older. They are mainly prescribed for sick patients who are high-risk for complications. Healthy people don't need anti-viral medicine if they get flu.
- COVID-19: prescription anti-viral medicines are also available (such as Paxlovid) for those at high risk for complications. Anti-virals must be used early in the course of illness to work best.
- Time of Year. The flu is seasonal, usually October to April. It peaks December through February. COVID-19 is not seasonal. It will not go away in spring like the flu.
- Severity and Death Rate. The elderly and the immune-suppressed are at highest risk for the most severe infections from both Flu and COVID-19.
Care Advice
Overview:
- Do everything in your power not to get either of these infections.
- Getting both infections at the same time could cause more severe complications.
- Getting them close together is also risky. The first one could weaken your body for when the second one starts.
- Become an expert on prevention. Trust the science.
- Here is some advice to help you get through this flu season.
Influenza Vaccine - Be Smart and Get Your Flu Shot:
- Getting your annual flu shot is the best way to protect your family from flu.
- Reason: getting COVID-19 while you also have the flu or are recovering from it may increase the chances of getting severe complications.
- Flu vaccines are strongly advised for all people greater than 6 months of age.
- All adults and children should get a flu shot, not just those at higher risk for complications.
- Most often, the flu shot prevents getting any flu infection. If the vaccine does not cover a new flu virus and you get it, the shot still helps to reduce your symptoms.
- Getting the flu shot will turn on and rev up your immune system. Research shows that it might even reduce your chances of getting COVID-19.
COVID-19 Vaccine - Get Your COVID-19 Shot and a Booster:
- Vaccines have saved more lives than any other public health action. They are the most powerful weapon we have against deadly infectious diseases. Follow the science.
- Safe and effective vaccines are available for people age 6 months and older. Here is a link to the CDC booster tool: CDC booster shots.
- Get your COVID-19 vaccine and a booster when recommended. It could save your life and protect your family.
- Vaccine Sites: find a nearby vaccine site at vaccines.gov or call your doctor's office.
Protect Your Family from Catching COVID-19 and Flu:
- Face masks. If spread is high where you live, consider wearing a mask when you are in public indoor settings. Face masks reduce the spread of both infections.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Always wash before eating.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, if water is not available. Note: soap and water work even better.
- Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth unless your hands are clean. Germs on your hands can get into your body this way.
- Try to avoid contact with sick people.
- Social (Safe) Distancing. During times of outbreaks, try to stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from anyone who is sick.
Care Advice for Stomach Pain
What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:
- Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
- Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
- Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.
Clear Fluids:
- Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
- For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
Prepare for Vomiting:
- Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.
Pass a Stool:
- Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
- This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
- Note: for constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.
Do Not Give Medicines:
- Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
- Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
- For fever higher than 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.
What to Expect:
- With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
- With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
- With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
- Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Extra Help - Worried Stomach:
- Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
- Help your child worry less about things she can't control.
- To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Make sure that your child doesn't miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
- Caution: your child should see her doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.
