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While the coronavirus and the seasonal flu share similar symptoms, health experts say the two viruses should not be compared, especially with the current back-to-school period.
“COVID-19 and seasonal flu are not to be compared,” Dr. Brad Younggren, chief medical officer of 98point6 Inc. – a text-based primary care app, told Fox News.
“The death rate for COVID-19 is between 10 and 50 times higher than that of seasonal flu,” Younggren explained. “In addition, COVID-19 is significantly more contagious than the seasonal flu. While patients with seasonal flu infect, on average, about 1.3 other people, those with the new Delta variant of COVID-19 infect an average of 6 to 9 other people, according to CDC data. “
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Although people of all ages have expressed concern about the pandemic and emerging variants of the coronavirus, children under the age of 12 are vulnerable to infection with COVID-19, as vaccines are still being tested for it. age group.
Sources who work for the Food and Drug Administration confirmed to Fox News that the health agency plans to weigh in on extending the authorization of coronavirus vaccines to children under 12 around September.
At that time, many schools in the United States will reopen for in-person learning – a fact that worries parents and doctors about rising rates of coronavirus infection in children.
Children under 12 are currently at risk of contracting COVID-19, as vaccines are still in development for this age group.
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According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, nearly 4.3 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, representing about 14.3% of confirmed infections in the United States.
As of August 5, the overall infection rate in children was 5,703 cases per 100,000, reports the AAP.
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The CDC is currently advising children and school officials to routinely wear face masks regardless of immunization status, social distancing, wash their hands, and consider immunization when vaccines become available as a way to reduce the spread of COVID -19. The health agency is also recommending that school systems implement improved cleaning and ventilation protocols in addition to coronavirus testing and contact tracing.
If the flu or COVID-19 is suspected, Dr Chelsea Johnson says people should see a doctor who can correctly identify symptoms. Because of the overlap in symptoms, the CDC advises testing to confirm the diagnoses.
“COVID-19 shares symptoms with the flu, which shares symptoms with the common cold,” Johnson, associate manager of pediatrics at K Health – a digital primary care platform, told Fox News. “For someone who doesn’t have extensive medical training and doesn’t know what they’re looking for, it can actually be dangerous to rely on internet research and cause unnecessary worry.”
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While healthcare professionals have an easier time identifying the differences between COVID-19, the flu, and the common cold, she noted some similarities, including fever, body aches, cough, and fatigue.
“Breathing difficulties are always a red flag for COVID,” Johnson warned.
While the new coronavirus and the seasonal flu share similarities, health experts say the two viruses should not be compared, especially with the current back-to-school season.
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Other distinct symptoms of COVID-19 include loss of smell and taste and gastrointestinal issues, according to Younggren.
“The complete list [of COVID-19 symptoms] is long and varied, with similarities to colds and flu. Common human coronaviruses typically cause mild to moderate upper respiratory disease, including the common cold, ”he added. “It’s even possible to have the flu, along with other respiratory illnesses, and COVID-19 simultaneously. “
Additional similarities between COVID-19 and the seasonal flu may include sinus congestion, drainage and a sore throat, but Younggren warned, “COVID-19 can cause more severe symptoms like difficulty breathing and a dry cough, more often resulting in pneumonia and hospitalization. “
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Dr Mark Cameron, associate professor of quantitative health sciences at Case Western Reserve University, told Fox News that the long-term effects of COVID-19 are still being researched, which should be reason enough so that the public remains cautious.
In her own words: “The fact that COVID-19 variants are constantly evolving and changing how they infect, who they infect and how bad the results can be is a reason in itself to be wary of comparing a disease. which we have known quite well for years. -year, like the flu, to a disease that we are still desperately trying to understand and control. “
As parents wait for the FDA to approve coronavirus vaccines for children under 12, Dr Vino Palli, founder and CEO of MiDoctor Urgent Care, told Fox News that children can get the flu shot. seasonal flu.
Kayla Rivas of Fox News contributed to this report.
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