September marks the start of flu season, and with the COVID-19 numbers still dangerous, it's now more important than ever to be vigilant about your family's health. The challenge, however, is being able to tell the difference between the flu, the common cold and the new coronavirus, as all three have similar symptoms. So if your family member has a fever, sore throat, cough, or chills, what should you do?
What is the difference between colds, flu and the new coronavirus?
They are caused by different viruses. The flu is caused by the flu virus, which is global and has a seasonal cycle in temperate regions, usually beginning in the fall and lasting into the spring. It leads to high fever, cough, body aches and other respiratory symptoms.
The common cold, on the other hand, is caused by the rhinovirus and is accompanied by milder symptoms:a runny nose, a mild cough. Although everyone experiences illness differently, in most cases you can still function when you have a cold, while you may not be able to with the flu.
COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is more severe due to the higher death rate. It is characterized by fever, cough, runny nose, body aches and loss of taste and smell. For the most part, children seem to do much better than adults when they get the coronavirus, but families still need to be extra careful.
If your child has any of these symptoms, you should discuss with your doctor whether testing is recommended; for example, if there are high-risk family members at home. Regardless of whether you think this is COVID-19, if your child has breathing difficulties, is unresponsive, or is unable to eat or drink, seek medical attention immediately.
With such similar symptoms, is there a more definitive way to determine if someone has a cold, the flu, or COVID-19?
Unfortunately not, and that's the challenge now. With COVID-19, it seems that symptoms last longer and some people may experience anosmia — a loss of smell and taste — that can last for weeks. But for the most part, only tests can determine whether you have coronavirus or not.
Why is it so important to get the flu shot this year?
Anyone who receives an invitation from their doctor for the annual flu shot should get it. The flu shot is for people 60 years and older and for adults and children with certain medical conditions.
All the things we've done in recent months — washing our hands, taking physical distance, wearing face masks — are also good for preventing the spread of the flu. The flu vaccine may not stop you from getting the flu, but it will help keep you from getting very sick, especially children who are at high risk for more serious complications from the flu. Why not add an extra layer of protection by getting the flu vaccine? We must do everything we can to protect our family members.
Is there an optimal time to get the flu shot?
Once you get the call, you should make it. Every year the flu vaccine is made so that the immunity lasts all season. So if it's on offer, don't wait any longer. Often people say, "Oh, I'm going in a few weeks" and they forget, or worse, they get the flu before they're immunized.
Is it possible to have a cold, flu and COVID-19 at the same time?
There are some reports of people being infected with two at the same time. We've never seen a pandemic like this before, and this will be the first time there's overlap, so we'll see how much co-infection there is eventually. We do know that the coronavirus lasts a very long time, so it may be true that someone could test positive for both COVID-19 and the flu, but flu is the only one that causes symptoms or vice versa. There are not yet enough studies or cases to really understand these scenarios.
If you get the flu or a cold, are you more sensitive to COVID-19?
Just because you have the flu is unlikely to put you at greater risk of contracting coronavirus or any other viral illness. What you are exposed to is what you get. Any viral illness can lead to complications, such as bacterial pneumonia, which is not transmitted from person to person, but is caused by your own bacteria.
What should parents pay attention to now?
Most importantly, we should all do our best to take care of our children, our families and each other. Whether that's the flu vaccine, washing our hands, maintaining physical distance or wearing our masks, there are tangible measures we can take to protect everyone in our community.
