The difference between the flu and coronavirus: When do I stop getting it?

he national health system (SNS) faces backlash respiratory viral infection This has triggered a cumulative incidence rate higher than 900 cases per 100,000 inhabitants Hospitalization rates are gradually rising in the borough. The fundamental feature of this phenomenon is the simultaneous combination of two disorders: Covid-19 and influenza. Although both spread through the same routes, they have some differences that can affect everything from isolation time to symptom severity.

The latest surveillance report from the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) warns of an increase in infections by these two respiratory viruses.The most obvious case is influenza, and with the onset of winter, influenza positivity rates rise to 24.8% of tests Sequenced.While coronavirus growth has been more modest and has represented 13.6%.

Symptoms of Covid-19 and flu: Differences

One of the subtle differences that distinguish the behavior of these two viruses is their Symptomatology. In the case of influenza, there are symptoms associated with general malaise in the body, e.g. muscle pain or fever

Furthermore, generally speaking, this condition lasts longer than Covid-19 cases.

By itself, one of the common symptoms of the current variants coronavirus Other additional effects also stand out, such as Loss of taste, rhinitis and even conjunctivitis. That said, its impact is more pronounced across all functions related to it. Upper respiratory tract.

What these two diseases have in common is that there is a problem gastrointestinal tract This also affects the patient’s evolution. “Both cases are very common,” he explained medical writing spokesman Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Microbiologist at Hospital A Coruña, Maria del Mar Thomas.

Which is more serious, the flu or the new coronavirus?

Another unknown factor that needs to be addressed in this case is the severity of each disease, which also relates to its impact on hospitalization.Epidemiologists point out that currently Covid-19 is a slightly ‘milder’ disease As immune responses develop in post-pandemic society.

Thomas reports coexistence with last subvariant of Ómicron High number of vaccinations They represent two advantages in coronavirus cases compared with influenza cases, where vaccine coverage is largely limited to the elderly or people with other medical conditions. ‘Higher flu-related admissions and hospitalizations’he pointed out.

Quarantine: How long flu and coronavirus are contagious

Another common question when evaluating respiratory viruses is How long should you quarantine for? Or take precautions to avoid infecting susceptible people, a calculation that is very common during a pandemic. Current estimates suggest that Covid-19 may remain active during the outbreak. 4 or 5 days

How long the symptoms last, whereas in the flu they can extend to 7 days.

“Maybe it’s because the COVID-19 vaccine allows you to clear up the disease faster and have fewer days of symptoms, You’re less likely to spread the virus” said the microbiologist at A Coruña Hospital.

Respiratory virus health prevention

The spread of both diseases also creates unknowns about the types of health precautions that must be taken. In this case, experts clarified that the safety regulations are virtually the same.It is important for people with symptoms to use Face maskavoid crowded places and conduct Wash your hands often. Especially when they live with vulnerable people who have other comorbidities.

When diagnosing, it is important to have tests that specifically identify the disease.The good news is that there are currently Antigen tests can detect influenza A, influenza B and Covid-19 simultaneously.