Differences Between Coronavirus Symptoms and Normal Flu

Doctor in Delhi infected with Corona virus

The rapid spread of the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic around the world raises fears among the population at the high degree of contagion and panic seizes people when they begin to register symptoms of the flu or cold.

According to the latest Google search trends, words like ‘snot’, ‘sneezing’ or ‘coronavirus symptoms’ are leading netizens’ interest, demonstrating people’s interest and fear of contracting the virus. Chinese origin.

Specialists have pointed out that the covid-19 coronavirus is a type of influenza, so they have many symptoms in common with the viral disease that prevails in the cold season.

However, there are differences between the symptoms of the coronavirus and that of the normal flu.

Differences between coronavirus symptoms and the common flu

The disease that causes the SARS-Cov-2 virus, called covid-19, is a respiratory infection that begins with symptoms like fever and dry cough and, after a week, can cause difficulty breathing.

According to an analysis by the World Health Organization based on a study with 56,000 patients, 80% of those infected develop mild symptoms (fever, cough and, in some cases, pneumonia), 14% severe symptoms (shortness of breath and difficulty breathing) and 6% serious illnesses (lung failure, septic shock, multi-organ failure and risk of death).

Among the symptoms presented by patients, the most common were fever (approximately 88 percent of cases), dry cough (almost 68 percent), and tiredness (38 percent).

Difficulty breathing occurred in almost 19% of people, while symptoms such as a sore throat and headache appeared in 13 percent of cases.

4 percent of patients with the new coronavirus had diarrhea.

However, many other viruses can cause a cough, fever, sore throat and head, and a feeling of fatigue.

The experts consulted say that the symptoms should be monitored and if they remain mild, they can be treated at home.

It is necessary to have special attention in the case of the elderly and people with low immunity and to consult a medical professional in case of doubt.

What about the cold and allergies?

In the case of a cold, the symptoms tend to be even milder and, in general, only respiratory: snot, nasal congestion, cough, and sore throat, but not always all at the same time.

If the person coughs and has other mild symptoms, they should not forget to wear a mask when coming into contact with other people and clean the surfaces with which they have contact. It may not have covid-19, but, at a time like this, all care is welcome.

Allergic respiratory syndromes such as seasonal allergic rhinitis, common in this season, can cause runny nose and congestion, also common in colds, flu, and covid-19.

But generally, these syndromes are characterized by sneezing and are unlikely to cause cough or fever.

The important thing is that people, even if they have allergies, colds or the common flu, keep a distance of one meter from others when coughing or sneezing. It is also essential that they use their forearm or a handkerchief (which they must discard) when they cough or sneeze and that after doing so they always wash their hands to avoid the spread of other viruses.

Following these rules is important because, according to the largest study to date on the new coronavirus, conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in China, 80% of patients will have mild symptoms.

However, there is scientific evidence that even a symptom-free person can transmit the virus.


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