What you need to know
- COVID-19 and the flu cause similar symptoms, but COVID-19 symptoms can be more severe and may last longer.
- COVID-19 and the flu both spread through respiratory droplets, but COVID-19 is more contagious.
- Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, getting this season’s flu vaccine, and wearing a mask can protect you and those around you.
Despite a slight decline in test positivity, hospitalizations, and deaths, the current COVID-19 wave continues, and flu season is just around the corner. How do these viruses compare?
Both viruses cause similar symptoms, but getting infected with COVID-19 comes with a higher risk of severe illness, long-term health complications, and death. Yet, the flu remains dangerous, especially for older adults.
Read on to learn what these two respiratory viruses have in common, how they differ, and how to protect yourself against both.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu?
Symptoms of both COVID-19 and the flu may include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body pain, headache, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea.
People with the flu typically experience symptoms for one to four days after infection, while people with COVID-19 may experience symptoms anywhere from two to 14 days after infection. Additionally, one in 10 people infected with COVID-19 will experience mild to severe symptoms for months or even years after infection.
People who have both viruses at the same time may experience more severe symptoms than those who have either virus alone.
How long are people contagious with COVID-19 and the flu?
People with the flu are potentially contagious one day before they show symptoms and are typically most contagious during the first three days of symptoms. People with COVID-19 are potentially contagious two to three days before their symptoms begin and throughout the duration of their symptoms—typically about eight days.
Some people may not experience any symptoms at all, but you can spread COVID-19 and the flu to others even if you don’t feel sick.
How can I protect myself and those around me from these viruses?
Wearing a high-quality, well-fitting mask around others and staying up to date on vaccines can protect you and those around you from respiratory viruses.
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive this season’s COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine to reduce your risk of contracting and spreading the respiratory viruses and to prevent getting severely ill, complications, and death. Updated COVID-19 vaccines and flu vaccines are available now, and it’s safe to get both vaccines at the same time.
You can get an updated COVID-19 vaccine now if it’s been more than three months since your last COVID-19 infection. Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines are approved for people 6 months and older, and Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine is approved for those 12 years and older.
Find pharmacies near you at Vaccines.gov.
For more information, talk to your health care provider.
This article is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the CDC Foundation totaling $69,392,486 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government. In addition, the CDC Foundation does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information or content contained in this article. Moreover, the CDC Foundation expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within this article. This article are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying the CDC Foundation’s endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the information, products, or services found therein.