Learn to Differentiate Between Covid-19 and Flu Symptoms

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The new coronavirus, or the Covid-19, was identified on January 7th, 2020 in China. The disease emerged after China reported several cases of pneumonia of unknown cause to the World Health Organization on December 31st, 2019, in workers and visitors to the fish, shellfish and poultry market in the city of Wuhan, Hubei province.

The symptoms reported by patients infected with the COVID-19 are typically fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis have occurred mainly in elderly patients or patients suffering from other chronic diseases that impair their immune system.

The Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) estimates that the virus’ incubation period can last from 2 to 14 days.

To facilitate differentiation between the symptoms of the new coronavirus and the common flu, the British National Health System (NHS) has released some key points to note. Be alert to the following symptoms:

Fever: Covid-19: common; Flu: common.

Fatigue: Covid-19: sometimes; Flu: common.

Sneezing: Covid-19: no; Flu: yes.

Bodily pain: Covid-19: sometimes; Flu: common.

Cough: Covid-19: common (usually dry); Flu: common (usually dry).

Mucus or blocked nose: Covid-19: rare; Flu: sometimes.

Sore throat: Covid-19: sometimes; Flu: sometimes.

Diarrhea: Covid-19: rare; Flu: sometimes (mainly in children).

Headache: Covid-19: sometimes; Flu: common.

Shortness of breath: Covid-19: sometimes; Flu: no.

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