Coronavirus: What are symptoms of COVID-19 vs. regular flu?

There are major differences between the regular flu and COVID-19. Here are some of the differences between a cold, the flu and COVID-19, as compiled by the CDC.

News 12 Staff

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Mar 13, 2020, 3:30 PM

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Updated 1,506 days ago

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There is a lot of information floating around right now about the coronavirus outbreak. At every sniffle or cough, you may wonder if you have COVID-19 or if you are being exposed to it. But there are major differences between the regular flu and COVID-19. Below are some of the differences between a cold, the flu and COVID-19, as compiled by the CDC and Harvard Medical School.

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, according to the CDC.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. These warning signs* include:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are sever or concerning

The CDC says flu signs and symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who are sick with flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (tiredness)
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Additionally, according to the Harvard Medical School’s coronavirus resource center, these are some notes on how to know if you have COVID-19 or the regular flu:

COVID-19 often causes symptoms similar to those a person with a bad cold or the flu would experience. And like the flu, the symptoms can progress and become life-threatening. Your doctor is more likely to suspect coronavirus if:

you have respiratory symptoms

and

you recently traveled to countries with ongoing community spread of the COVID-19 virus, including China, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea, or
you have been exposed to someone suspected of having COVID-19, or
there has been community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 in your area

Click here for more from the CDC.

GET INFORMATION: Coronavirus details from the CDC
GET THE FACTS: What you need to know about coronavirus

Photos: Impact of coronavirus around the world

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