It can be difficult to distinguish between the two illnesses without taking a test
One key symptom could mean your illness is COVID-19 rather than flu. The NHS warned that cases of both have been on the rise in recent weeks.
The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed that flu positivity increased from 1.9 per cent to 3.3 per cent. COVID-19 positivity in hospital settings increased from 11.7 per cent in the previous week to 12.9 per cent.
It can be difficult to distinguish between Covid and flu without taking a test. Many of the symptoms overlap.
On the NHS website, it states that Covid symptoms are “very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu”. Both illnesses can cause a high temperature, an aching body, headaches, and feeling sick among other symptoms, for example.
But “shortness of breath” is listed by the NHS as a sign of Covid and not flu. This is more commonly found in the case of illnesses such as Covid or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
However, if a person doesn’t recover from flu and it develops into something more serious they may start to experience breathing difficulties. This can occur if the patient has pneumonia, for example.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that adults who experience “difficulty breathing or shortness of breath” should obtain medical care “right away”. This was listed among a number of “emergency warning signs of flu complications”.
Covid symptoms
According to the NHS, COVID-19 symptoms can include:
- A high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- An aching body
- A headache
- A sore throat
- A blocked or runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick or being sick
It says: “Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover. For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.”
Flu symptoms
On the NHS website it says that flu symptoms come on “very quickly” and can include:
- A sudden high temperature
- An aching body
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A dry cough
- A sore throat
- A headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick and being sick
“The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active,” it says. It adds: “Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill.
“It’s important to get the flu vaccine if you’re advised to.”
Vaccines
Regarding vaccines, Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “It’s really encouraging to see people already taking up the flu vaccine offer, especially as we’re starting to see cases increasing in our surveillance data. Over the past few weeks, we have seen flu and COVID-19 cases starting to increase.
“The latest data also shows a rise in people being hospitalised with COVID-19, so it’s more important than ever that vulnerable groups are protected. As we head into the winter months when we are likely to see cases continue to rise, it’s vital that eligible individuals take up the offer now to ensure they are protected.
“We know that vaccination is the best defence against respiratory illnesses such as flu and COVID-19 and this is a simple step you can take to help look after yourself and your family this winter”.
You can book an appointment via the NHS App, your local GP practice, online at nhs.uk/bookflu or nhs.uk/bookcovid, or by calling 119. You can also find your nearest drop-in service or use the NHS walk-in finder.