September 2, 2022
Flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus first identified in 2019. Flu is caused by infection with a flu virus. From what health experts know, COVID-19 spreads more easily than flu and can cause more serious illness in some people. COVID-19 can also take longer before people show symptoms, and people can remain contagious for longer periods of time. People often can’t tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 because they have some of the same symptoms. Testing is needed to tell what the illness is and to confirm a diagnosis.
(Source: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
