With the fall season and cooler weather just around the corner also comes the influenza (flu) season, a period that usually peaks between December and February but can last as late as May. This year’s flu season, however, looks a little different than most, as we’re also dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. So, how do you know if the symptoms you’re feeling are the flu, COVID-19 or perhaps just a common cold? Internal medicine physician Thomas Wells, M.D., shares some of the key differences between the illnesses as well as things to know.  

“The flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses that have very similar symptoms,” said Dr. Wells, with Piedmont Physicians Hawthorne Medical at the Oconee Health Center. “Because of this, it’s hard to distinguish between the two. But these two illnesses are caused by different viruses and they’re treated differently.”

For starters, both flu and COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms for COVID-19 range from no symptoms at all (or asymptomatic) to severe symptoms and illness that requires hospitalization. 

“Some of the most common symptoms seen with both flu and COVID-19 are fever, sore throat and cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, a runny nose, headache and body aches or muscle soreness,” said Dr. Wells. “Some people can also experience diarrhea or vomiting, though there are studies that suggest this is more common in children than in adults.”

One of the major differences, however, is COVID-19 can cause a change in or loss of taste or smell. “That’s not something we see with the flu, but it has been a symptom that is seen in those with COVID-19,” said Dr. Wells. 

If you have symptoms of flu or COVID-19, Dr. Wells recommends calling your doctor’s office or booking a virtual visit as soon as possible. 

“Your doctor can test you for the flu and COVID-19, and testing is essential to ensure you get the right treatment and take the correct steps to prevent spreading the illness,” said Dr. Wells. Once tested, these illnesses are also treated differently. 

There are antiviral drugs that can treat flu. Antivirals are different than antibiotics and can make flu illness milder and shorten the time you’re sick. They can also help lower your risk serious flu complications, like pneumonia, if treatment is started in a timely fashion. 

“There are not currently any drugs or other therapeutics approved to prevent COVID-19 like there are for flu illness, but there are studies in progress to learn more,” said Dr. Wells. “If you are sick with COVID-19, your best form of treatment includes staying home and taking care of yourself as well as staying in touch with your doctor.”  

Another similarity between the flu and COVID-19 is how they’re spread. Both COVID-19 and flu can spread when people are in close contact with one another and are spread mainly by droplets when people with the illness (whether it be flu or COVID-19) cough, sneeze or talk. 

“It’s also possible that someone can get infected with flu or COVID-19 by physical touch, like shaking hands or touching a surface that has virus on it,” said Dr. Dr. Wells. 

But there’s one major way to help prevent flu and that’s the flu shot, which Dr. Wells recommends to all of my patients

“A flu shot is the first and most important step in protecting against flu,” said Dr. Wells. “The flu shot has been proven to reduce cases of the flu and if you do still contract the flu virus, you’ll likely have milder symptoms and a lower risk of hospitalization and death.”

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, but vaccine developers and other researchers and manufacturers are expediting the development of a vaccine to prevent COVID-19.

“This is why prevention measures like washing your hands, wearing a mask in public and watching your distance are more important than ever,” said Dr. Wells. “These prevention measures can help reduce your risk of flu and COVID-19 illness and can prevent these illnesses from spreading to others.” 

Dr. Wells encourages everyone to be diligent about taking all safety precautions. If you have symptoms of flu or COVID-19, avoid contact with other people and contact your doctor for testing. “It’s important to be responsible for your health and the health of the people around you,” said Dr. Wells.

For more information about flu vs. COVID-19 or to book an appointment with one of Piedmont’s primary care physicians, visit piedmont.org.