An Overview Of The Two Respiratory Illnesses

COVID-19 vs. Influenza: What's the Difference?

An Overview of the Two Respiratory Illnesses

COVID-19 and influenza (commonly known as the flu) are both highly contagious respiratory illnesses. Both infections are caused by viruses, but their impact on individuals can vary.

Symptoms

Common symptoms that COVID-19 and the flu share include:

• Fever or feeling feverish
• Having chills
• Not everyone with the flu will have a fever.

Spread and Severity

COVID-19 appears to be contagious for a longer time and to spread more quickly than the flu. COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets that are released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of someone nearby or be inhaled. The virus also can spread if you touch a surface or object with the virus on it and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.