In December 2022, the flu and the Covid are circulating at the same time in France. It is not easy to tell the difference between these two diseases, because they have similar symptoms (fever, cough, etc.). Double vaccination is recommended.
“Covid has entered the class of winter infections like the flu“, indicates Brigitte Autran, Professor of Immunology and President of the Health Risk Watch and Anticipation Committee (Covars, which replaced the Scientific Council), questioned on October 10 on France Inter. Headaches, body aches, fatigue… Is it the Covid or the flu? Their first manifestations are very similar, hence the risk of confusion. In autumn/winter, the two viruses circulate at the same time in France. We must therefore be careful and bet on the 2 vaccines (double vaccination, flu and Covid), especially for the most vulnerable people. “A Covid-flu cohabitation is nothing to be happy about. This is synonymous with a very high number of hospitalizations. Hence the objective of two strong vaccination campaigns – Covid and flu – especially for the most fragile“, insists Alain Fischer, professor of immunology, in an interview granted to the Parisian on September 28, 2022. The High Authority of Health also recommends combining these two vaccines, and reminds that making the 2 injections on the same day is possible. What are commonalities between the flu and the Covid? Their differences? When to test against Covid? Answers.
What do the flu and Covid have in common?
The virus responsible for Covid has similarities to that of the flu. The two diseases are “respiratory infections such as viral pneumonia“, describes Professor Arnaud Fontanet, director of the Department of Global Health at the Institut Pasteur and head of the epidemiology of emerging diseases unit. Here are their common points:
► Similar symptoms
“First, the COVID-19 virus and the influenza virus give a similar clinical picture, marked by respiratory manifestations. The symptomatology is very varied: while some subjects are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, others present serious manifestations or even die.“, indicates theWorld Health Organization. Both viruses cause similar symptoms.“Runny nose, fever, cough, body aches, 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 (sputter, sneezing, etc.) or through an object or surface, previously touched by an infected person.
What are the differences between flu and Covid (Omicron)?
► Incubation time. The flu has a shorter incubation period (the time between infection and the appearance of symptoms) than Covid-19: between 1 and 3 days for the flu against 3 to 5 days (sometimes up to 14 days) for Covid-19.
► Speed of transmission. The coronavirus has a serial interval (speed of transmission of the virus between 2 cases which follow each other 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 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 the flu.
► People affected. Children are important vectors of transmission of the influenza virus to those around them. For Covid-19, studies indicate that children are less affected than adults and that clinical attack rates among 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-visceral failure… “Until now, Covid has remained much more deadly than the flu. So we hadn’t classified it in the category of classic winter respiratory illnesses. She will definitely go there. Thanks to vaccination, its severity decreases“, explains Brigitte Autran on FranceInter on October 10, 2022.
What to do and when to get tested?
► If you have symptoms that may be reminiscent of Covid, take a screening test in a pharmacy (antigenic) or in a laboratory (PCR) and respect the barrier gestures while waiting for the results.
► Protect yourself with a mask at home if you live with other people and avoid seeing fragile people.
► If you have difficulty breathing, call the 15 (where the 114 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing).
► Headaches can be relieved with paracetamol, not contraindicated in case of Covid or flu. Do not take anti-inflammatories, however, without medical advice.
Sources:
– Q&A: similarities and differences between COVID-19 and influenza, World Health Organization.
– Interview with Dr Pierre Parneix, public health specialist, carried out in February 2020.