Healthy Living
Is It the Flu or COVID-19?
The flu and COVID-19 share some symptom similarities, but there are also a few differences. Below is a reference chart with information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from September 2020, as information continues to evolve about COVID-19. Not all people experience all symptoms of both the flu and COVID-19.
Both Flu & COVID-19 | COVID-19 | Flu |
Fever or feeling feverish/chills | Symptoms typically appear 5 days after infection, but can be as soon as 2 days and as long as 14 days | Symptoms typically appear 1-4 days after infection |
Headache | Loss of taste | Not urinating* |
Cough | Loss of smell | Persistent chest or abdominal pain* |
Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath* | Nausea or vomiting | Persistent dizziness or confusion* |
Fatigue | Diarrhea | Seizures* |
Sore throat | New confusion* | Severe weakness* |
Runny or stuffy nose | Bluish lips or face* | Cough or fever that get better, then worse* |
Muscle pain or body aches | Chest pain or pressure* | Worsening of chronic conditions* |
Vomiting and diarrhea are more common in children than adults | Inability to stay awake* |
Both Flu & COVID-19
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills
- Headache
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath*
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle pain or body aches
- Vomiting and diarrhea are more common in children than adults
COVID-19
- Symptoms typically appear 5 days after infection, but can be as soon as 2 days and as long as 14 days
- Loss of taste
- Loss of smell
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- New confusion*
- Bluish lips or face*
- Chest pain or pressure*
- Inability to stay awake*
Flu
- Symptoms typically appear 1-4 days after infection
- Not urinating*
- Persistent chest or abdominal pain*
- Persistent dizziness or confusion*
- Seizures*
- Severe weakness*
- Cough or fever that get better, then worse*
- Worsening of chronic conditions*
*Seek emergency care
The flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses, and the difference can be undetectable by symptoms alone. Seek a test to confirm a diagnosis. Please don’t delay care.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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