The Similarities and Differences of Flu and the Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus appeared in the middle of the flu season, and it is the same family of viruses that causes influenza or flu. What are the similarities and differences between COVID-19 and flu?

Symptoms

Fever, dry cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. These are the common symptoms associated with COVID-19. Some patients might develop aches and pain. Recently, redness of eyes and loss of sense of smell and taste have also been associated with COVID-19. In some cases, some get the sniffles.

All the mentioned symptoms overlap with the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises anyone experiencing these symptoms and having been in direct contact with a COVID-19 patient, or living in an area where COVID-19 is prevalent, to call their doctor for advice.

Transmission

Flu and the new coronavirus both spread droplets from the nose and mouth of an infected person. You can be infected by direct contacts, such as kissing, talking closely with someone who has COVID-19. The CIDC recommends keeping a distance of 6 feet from others. Flu and coronavirus can also be picked up from touching objects that have been coughed on by an infected person, who may then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching the said object.

The novel coronavirus, however, can infect 2 to 2.5 new people, much higher than flu, which spreads the virus to about 1.3 others.

New research suggests that the higher number of infections could be because of presymptomatic transmission: when symptoms are not yet showing but the person is already infected and is contagious. Analysis of the data showed that 13% of cases were caused by people spreading the virus before they started coughing and feeling achy.

On the other hand, flu is contagious three or four days after the symptoms begin and does not seem to infect others through the presymptomatic transmission, CDC said.

It is also possible that other methods can transmit coronavirus. Researchers are now studying if tiny droplets can stay in the air and spread, or if the fecal matter can be a source of infection.

Degree of mild vs. severe cases

Data from China say that 80% of coronavirus cases are mild to moderate, ranging from having fever and cough to low-grade pneumonia. It could be bad, but one can usually heal at home.

The 20% of COVID-19 patients, though, showed severe symptoms and had to be sent to the hospital. That is 10 times more often than the flu. Even though many people are hospitalized by flu, the preliminary data for the 2018-2019 flu is half a million. The CDC says hospitalization rate is lower though: 1%-2% of cases.

People over 60 and have pre-existing health problems are more at risk of severe illness and hospitalization for both COVID-19 and flu.

Length of hospitalization

The average stay in the hospital for COVID-19 patients is 11 days, according to January data from Wuhan. In contrast, flu patients stay in the hospital for five to six days.

According to Micheal Ryan, director of the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Program, unwell COVID-19 patients could require two to three medical staff at one time. Health staff should all be in protective gear for hours and hours.

Percentage of the population to get the virus

In the U.S., about 8.3% of the total population get sick from flu every season, CDC said.

There are no data on what percentage of the population will contract COVID-19. The lack of vaccine, no established immunity from past cycles, experts believe that at least one quarter to half the population will likely be infected in the absence of drastic control measures or vaccine.

Death Rate

In the U.S., seasonal flu kills 1 in a thousand people. Worldwide, it is estimated that 300,000 to 650,000 people die from the flu each year.

COVID-19, on the other hand, kills at least 10 per thousand people. It's about 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease said.

Treatment

For mild cases of COVID-19 and flu, rest and supportive care are the common ailments. A drug called Tamiflu was developed for flu, and other treatments are underway.

On the other hand, there are no approved treatments for COVID-19 yet, although researchers are racing against time to develop medicine now.