Seasonal flu and COVID-19: Introduction, Differences, and Keynotes

Introduction of Seasonal flu and COVID-19

Seasonal flu and COVID-19 both are contagious respiratory illnesses, but their causative agents are different viruses. The etiological agent of COVID-19 is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) first identified in 2019 while flu is caused by infection with a flu virus (influenza viruses). The flu mortality rate is low than COVID-19.

COVID-19 Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory

Differences between Seasonal flu and COVID-19

The differences between Seasonal flu and COVID-19 are as follows-

Features	Seasonal flu	COVID-19
Mortality rate	Low	High
Hospitalization rate	Low	High
Transmission rate	Low	High
Case Fatality Rate (CFR)	0.1%	2%
Incubation period	1 to 4 days	2 to 14 days
Causative agent	Influenza Viruses	SARS-CoV-2
Drug	Influenza antiviral drugs	Remdesivir
Vaccine	Influenza vaccine	COVID-19 vaccine

Keynotes on flu and COVID-19

• Variants of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron.
• Both are spread by droplets and aerosols when an infected person coughs, sneezes speaks, sings, or breathes.
• Older adults, people of any age with chronic medical conditions, immunosuppressed hosts (such as HIV/AIDS, patients receiving chemotherapy or steroids, or malignancy), pregnant ladies, and healthcare workers are prone to flu and COVID-19.
• To minimize COVID-19 and influenza spread hand washing is mandatory when touching contaminated surfaces, eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Medical consultation is necessary when you are suffering from shortness of breath, loss of appetite, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, and high temperature (above 38 °C).
• WHO reports confirm that vaccines developed for COVID-19 do not protect against influenza, and similarly, the flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19.
• Both vaccinations (flu and COVID-19) will be used when you have had a flu shot.
• No doubt, it is possible to catch COVID-19 and influenza at the same time.