It is not easy to tell the difference between the flu and the Covid (Delta or Omicron), as these two respiratory infections have similarities in their symptoms. Fortunately, they also have differences. How to distinguish them well? Lighting with our hygienist expert.
[Mis à jour le 12 janvier 2022 à 17h10] The Covid-19 infection is very similar to that of the flu in its first manifestations, hence the risk of confusion between the two infections and the concern of patients. In accordance with the opinion of the Haute Autorité de Santé September 27, 2021, doctors encourage the French the concomitant realization of vaccines against influenza and Covid-19, which does not include “no danger“. Especially for people over 65 or those with co-morbidities. commonalities between the flu and the Covid-19? Their differences? When to get vaccinated against these two diseases? Answers.
The virus responsible for Covid-19 has similarities to that of the flu. The two diseases are “respiratory infections like viral pneumonia“, describes Pr Arnaud Fontanet, director of the Department of Global Health at the Pasteur Institute and head of the epidemiology of emerging diseases unit. Here are their common points:
Symptoms similar. “First, the COVID-19 virus and the influenza virus give a similar clinical picture, marked by respiratory manifestations. The symptoms are very varied: while some subjects are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, others have serious manifestations or even die.“, indicates theWorld Health Organization. Both viruses cause similar symptoms.“Runny nose, fever, cough, stiffness, fatigue, the first symptoms of Covid-19 are comparable to those of the flu” confirms Dr Pierre Parneix, medical officer of health and hospital practitioner in public health.
Similar mode of transmission. The two viruses are transmitted in the same way: by close and close contact (less than 1.5 meters), by respiratory droplets (postilions, sneezes …) or through an object or a surface, previously touched by an infected person.
Incubation time. The flu has a shorter incubation period (time between infection and the onset of symptoms) than Covid-19: between 1 and 3 days for influenza compared to 3 to 5 days (sometimes up to at 14 days) for Covid-19.
Speed of transmission. The coronavirus has a serial interval (speed of transmission of the virus between 2 consecutive cases on the chain of transmission) of 5 to 6 days while the flu has a serial interval of 3 days. The flu therefore spreads faster than the Covid-19.
Reproduction rate. The reproduction rate of Covid-19 (number of secondary infections caused by an infected individual) is 2 times to 2.5 times higher than that of influenza.
Affected people. Children are important vectors for transmitting the influenza virus to those around them. For Covid-19, studies indicate that children are less affected than adults and that clinical attack rates in 0-19 year olds are low.
Complications. Covid-19 has higher rates of severe forms and complications than the flu. Among the complications of a coronavirus infection: acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal failure or even multi-organ failure …
Mortality. To date, more than 110,000 people have died from Covid-19 in France. The flu, it kills each year “between 10,000 to 15,000 deaths, mainly in fragile subjects” in France, according to the Pasteur Institute.
Vaccine. Several dozen vaccines against Covid-19 are being developed, but there is currently no vaccine against this disease. However, each year a flu shot is available.
Treatments. Several treatments for Covid-19 are currently in clinical trials, but no approved treatment is available. On the other hand, there are antivirals against the influenza virus.
In his January 6, 2022 Bulletin, Public Health France studied the symptoms of 338 confirmed cases Omicron.
- Asthenia (severe fatigue): 145
- Cough: 132
- Fever: 118
- Headache (headache): 106
- Myalgia (muscle pain, stiffness): 97
- Sore throat: 75
- Runny nose: 65
- Sensation of fever: 32
- Shortness of breath: 22
- Anosmia (loss of smell): 22
- Ageusia (loss of taste): 22
- Nausea and vomiting: 18
- Diarrhea: 14
- Dyspnea (difficulty breathing): 7
As a reminder, the main symptoms of the flu are:
- Great fatigue (asthenia) which sets in gradually and increasingly
- Chills, even when you’re not cold
- A dry, painful cough
- A sore, sore throat
- A high fever above 39 ° C
- A stuffy and runny nose
- Muscle and joint pain that looks like body aches
- Eyes that weep, bloodshot, or sore when touched
- Headaches
The flu vaccine does not protect against infection with Covid-19 in any way. However, in this epidemic context, doctors, scientists, unions and politicians are increasingly at recommend seasonal flu vaccination and call for wider vaccination of the population this year. Particularly for people at risk for a severe form of Covid, such as people over 65 or people who are immunocompromised. The flu vaccination campaign began on October 22, 2021. In a press release dated September 27, 2021, the Haute Autorité de Santé confirms that there is no danger of co-administering the flu and Covid-19 vaccines on the same day. Concretely, the two injections can be performed on the same day, but at two different vaccination sites – a vaccine in each arm. For people who could not receive the booster dose against Covid-19 (or for that matter a first or a second dose of this vaccine) and the influenza injection simultaneously, the HAS specifies thatthere is no time limit between the two vaccinations. This rule also applies to any association between vaccines against Covid-19 and other vaccines in the vaccination schedule.
► If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, call your doctor or consult him by teleconsultation and describe your symptoms. Stay at home and only go out when necessary, always with a mask. Protect yourself with a mask at home if you live with other people.
► If you have difficulty breathing, call the 15 (where the 114 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing).
Sources:
– Questions and answers: Similarities and differences between COVID-19 and influenza, World Health Organization.
– Interview with Dr Pierre Parneix, medical hygienist specializing in public health, carried out in February 2020.