

For some patients, medications may help lessen the symptoms and shorten the duration of COVID-19 or flu.ĬOVID-19: Treatment for COVID-19 depends on the severity of the infection. Severe cases may require hospitalization and very ill patients may need a ventilator - a machine that helps them breathe. While different treatments may be used for COVID-19 and the flu, both are treated by addressing symptoms, such as reducing fever. This rarely occurs with flu, but it can occur with certain strains of the virus.įlu: Flu does not typically affect a person’s sense of smell or taste, but otherwise has many symptoms similar to COVID-19 Rarely, as during the 1918 flu pandemic, a certain influenza strain does cause many people to lose their sense of taste or smell.
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Review the full list of symptoms.ĬOVID-19 can sometimes cause a person to suddenly lose their sense of smell (anosmia) or taste (ageusia). SymptomsĬOVID-19: Many people infected with the coronavirus do not feel sick or have only mild symptoms, but they can still transmit the coronavirus to other people. Different strains of influenza A and influenza B emerge and circulate each year. There are two main types of influenza virus called influenza A and influenza B. There are different SARS-CoV-2 that have some differences in how severe or transmissible they are.įlu: Caused by the influenza virus. With flu season here amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, what are the differences between COVID-19 and the flu? How can you protect yourself and your family from both illnesses? Get these and other questions answered by Johns Hopkins Medicine infectious diseases experts from our Nov 12 Facebook Live event: “Staying Safe from the Flu and COVID-19 This Winter.”ĬOVID-19: Caused by the 2019 coronavirus, also known as SARS-CoV-2. Physical distancing limits the spread of COVID-19 and flu in communities. In addition, mask-wearing, frequent and thorough hand washing, coughing into the crook of your elbow, staying home when sick and limiting contact with people who are infected are effective safety precautions. In most cases, serious disease and death due to COVID-19 or the flu can be prevented by vaccines. It is very important to get vaccinated for the flu as the COVID pandemic continues.

The flu vaccine is reformulated every year in anticipation of the influenza strains that are expected to circulate.

įlu: A vaccine is available and effective in preventing some of the most dangerous types or to reduce the severity or duration of the flu.

It is also important to receive a booster when you are eligible.
