Flu or COVID-19 or Twindemic?

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know about the ‘novel’ virus and also know flu season is upon us. I feel I need to share some clues to help you tell the difference. Typical flu season runs from October to April, and flu vaccines, washing hands, and isolating when you are ill is so important. Both are highly contagious and these precautions apply to both viral illnesses. Several of the symptoms, the way you feel, are exactly the same when both one of these viruses infect you.

Overlapping symptoms include exhaustion (fatigue), diffuse body aches, fever, chills, cough, difficulty breathing. but also minor sore throat runny noses headache. Sound exactly similar?  BUT flu, does not give you a change in or loss of smell and taste. COVID-19 illness does!

That said realize some of us might have no or only a few symptoms. May be mild in some and in others symptoms may be quite severe. By now you realize that in most cases in order to accurately find out which you have a test is necessary.

Realizing there is no ‘cure’ but supporting medications exist for both. But once you are thinking flu or COVID infection, please self isolate immediately and call your doctor.

Flu is caught easier than COVID-19. Catching the flu shows within 1- 4 days.COVID-19 symptoms may start anywhere from 5 -14 days after exposure.

We need to remember that there are many asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19. They are not unwell but can pass it on to you, should you not be keeping a safe distance as well as wearing a mask. Sharing living space increases the likelihood of spread for both illnesses.

A flu shot will not prevent COVID-19 actually many people who receive the flu shot will get the flu. Recall the 4 viruses it protects against might not be what is around this season.

Already individuals are infected with both at the same time! Twindemic! Both are respiratory viruses. So you can imagine the fear medical personnel have in treating patients with the one drug that exists to fight the flu.

Disinfecting measures curb the spread of flu & COVID-19. Efforts to mitigate COVID-19 include handwashing, mask-wearing, and social distancing – I believe need more than 6 feet.