During the last two months, the world experienced an outbreak of what was known to be an unknown yet contagious virus, The Coronavirus, namely COVID-19. News circulated about the virus being spread in China, and the number of people affected increased daily. While there was panic in China, other parts of the world were alert and anticipating a few occurrences, but definitely not as much as the situation is today.
Eventually, as the numbers increased, number of hospital staff who started wearing masks and taking necessary precautions increased, anticipating the arrival of the disease into their regions, until a few days later, there was news of the virus being spread to different countries, new cases emerging from different parts of the world, the case fatality rate rising, infection control rules became stricter and this was the start of what has lead the COVID-19 to be announced as a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
While researches are being conducted, treatments are being tested, one of the biggest dilemmas physicians are facing, is to differentiate between Coronavirus and Flu caused by Influenza virus. The latter being a more known and common cause of flu during the winter months.
When news of the coronavirus created alarm in the general public, there was an influx of patients in the Emergency Departments all around the world, most of them being travelers with flu symptoms and airport staff. Since little was known about the virus then, standard infection control protocols were applied as a general rule until a diagnosis and the severity of illness was sought.This created another issue, could this be seasonal flu, or was it Corona? The decision was harder amongst people in extremes of age. When the disease had just been discovered, testing and results took time and little was known, unlike what the situation is today where countries such as South Korea are offering drive-through tests, with results within 24 hours.
This added to the importance of knowing the differences and similarities between the two to provide adequate management and treatment.
Similarities
- Transmitted by contact, droplets and fomites.
- Both require precautions such as good hand and respiratory hygiene
- Both cause mild to severe respiratory illness
- People are commonly affected in winter
Differences
- Influenza virus has additional symptoms such as muscle aches and fatigue whereas COVID-19 can present with diarrhea
- Influenza has a shorter incubation period as compared to COVID-19 (2-14 days)
- According to current data, children, women and elderly are more affected by influenza, whereas COVID-19 causes more severe illness in the elderly and those who are immunocompromised and those suffering from underlying medical conditions
- COVID-19 is being known to have a higher mortality rate as compared to influenza
- Annual vaccines and antiviral agents are effective against influenza, and there is currently no proven treatment for COVID-19
- People who have flu caused by influenza are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after contacting the illness
Overview of the COVID- 19
It belongs to the family of Coronaviruses, which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). COVID-19 is the newest type discovered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
Method of transmission: is respiratory droplets from the nose or mouth of a person who is infected by the virus (coughs/sneezes within 1 meter).
Incubation period: 1-14 days
Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, or diarrhea. Around 1 out of every six people who get COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.
Diagnosis: Nasopharyngeal swab, sputum culture
Chest Xray and CT: Bilateral chest infiltrates, consolidation (pneumonia)
Treatment: Symptomatic until a proven treatment is discovered.
Prevention
The four essential steps:
W – wash hands
A – avoid physical contact and public places
S – sterilize and sanitize regularly
H – hygiene is essential.
Cover your nose or mouth with your bent elbow or tissue while sneezing and dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Wear a mask when you have symptoms of flu to prevent spreading the illness.
For more info: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
Very interesting article. Keep it up with good work. Good luck in your final year.