How to prepare for Flu Season during COVID-19

How to prepare for Flu Season during COVID-19

Have you been sneezing? Do you have a cough, a sore throat, or shortness of breath? During a normal winter, it would be normal to assume that you have the flu or even the common cold. But, the 2020 coronavirus pandemic has made things more complicated, and so we must be more careful. 

We have all already been preparing for the COVID-19 for the majority of this year. COVID-19 has killed over 239,000 Americans since the start of the pandemic. But now that flu season is here, there are additional risks to take seriously. According to the CDC, approximately 34,000 Americans died from the flu in 2019. Both viruses have similar symptoms, and with a rapid increase in cases for both during the winter months, it is imperative that we all take the initiative, by taking preventative measures. 

There are some similarities, and differences between the cold, the flu, and COVID-19.

A cold:

• Symptoms may develop slowly
• The most commonly occurring symptoms are: sneezing, a sore throat, and a stuffy nose
• Headaches or fever happen rarely

The flu:

• Symptoms show up suddenly
• The most common symptoms are: aches, a fever, fatigue, chest discomfort, and a headache
• Sneezing, a stuffy nose, or a sore throat are not common

COVID-19:

• Symptoms appear 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus. There may be no symptoms whatsoever
• A unique symptom is a change in or loss of taste or smell
• Shared symptoms with the flu:  fever, aches, fatigue, and a headache

This year,  getting a flu shot is crucial to mitigate the spread of the seasonal flu and therefore, save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19. This Vaccine Finder tool can locate nearby options for you to get a flu shot. If you do get the flu, the CDC recommends staying home to rest, avoiding contact with people who are not sick, including those in your own home, and drinking plenty of water. If you are caring for someone with the flu but you don’t have it, the CDC recommends: avoiding close contact with the sick individual as much as possible, and washing your hands as frequently as possible with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub.

For both COVID-19 and the flu, it’s possible to spread the virus for at least a day before experiencing any symptoms. If you think you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, the CDC recommends quarantining at home and contacting your health care provider for guidance on what steps to take next. 

The CDC has a  Coronavirus Self-Checker tool that allows you to enter your symptoms and other relevant information to determine whether or not you need to get tested for COVID-19. This is important to determine if you should seek medical care.

According to the CDC, avoiding face-to-face contact with others as much as possible is the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  This is extremely important especially if you are in or exposed to people belonging to high-risk groups. You should also: stay at least six feet away from others you don’t live with, wear a mask when you cannot socially distance, wash your hands often, with soap and water, especially after touching public surfaces frequently clean and disinfect the high-touch surfaces and objects in, and around your home.