article image source: medpagetoday.com (link)
(What will be mentioned below is for advice and is not a substitute for consulting a doctor)
There are differences in the way the two viruses appear and the risks they pose.
With the onset of autumn and the drop in temperatures in some places, the world is witnessing a rising wave of influenza infections and several variants of COVID-19, posing a new challenge that combines two similar threats: influenza and coronavirus.
According to the British newspaper "The Independent," the two viruses share many symptoms, making distinguishing between them one of the most difficult tasks for the average patient seeking home remedies.
However, there are differences in the way the two viruses appear and the risks they pose, which we must be aware of to correctly identify the infection, ensure effective treatment, and avoid the serious complications of both viruses.
Sick adult blowing their snot - image source: freepik.com
How do I know if I have the influenza virus?
Influenza is a respiratory infection that spreads rapidly during the transition between seasons and can be more debilitating than the common cold. While a common cold causes a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and mild throat irritation, the flu tends to come on suddenly with fever, body aches, and fatigue.
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Thousands of people are hospitalized each year with the flu, which poses a particular risk to the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems.
According to doctors, vaccination remains the best defense, as studies show that vaccines significantly reduce cases of severe illness and hospitalization.
How do I know if I have COVID-19?
Variants of the COVID-19 virus continue to cause serious illness, especially among vulnerable populations. The virus continues to evolve, and new variants spread easily through respiratory droplets.
Common symptoms of the disease have changed since the beginning of the pandemic. Many people now experience cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, or blocked sinuses. But others still experience fever and chills, a persistent cough, fatigue, headaches, and shortness of breath.
Stomach problems such as nausea and diarrhea may also occur.
Doctors also recommend paying attention to hoarseness, which has become a prominent feature of the new strain of COVID-19, known as Stratus. This strain is divided into two variants, XFG and XFG.3.
Although the virus accounts for a large percentage of new cases, experts are not concerned about its spread, noting that it is normal for viruses to mutate and change.
People aged 65 and older, residents of nursing homes, and people with chronic health conditions are eligible to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to doctors, rates of influenza and COVID-19 infections rise with the arrival of winter, joining other seasonal diseases such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus.
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