Covid-19 and the Flu have many symptoms in common, so symptomatic people in Austin during Flu season may be wondering, “Do I have Covid or the Flu?”
However, though the symptoms of Covid-19 and the Flu can be very similar (see below), this form of coronavirus (Covid-19) passes between people more easily than the Flu and may cause more serious illness in certain people. Also, symptoms may take more time to appear with Covid-19 than they do with the Flu, and people may be contagious for longer.
With that said, some people have Covid-19 but are completely symptom free. Read on to learn more about the differences in the symptoms and when to get tested for each.
Can show 2-14 days after exposure
*Please note that presence or lack of any of the above symptoms does not indicate whether or not are infected with Covid-19
source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
Can show 1-4 after exposure
*Please note that presence or lack of any of the above symptoms does not indicate whether or not are infected with influenza.
Yes, it's confusing and frustrating ... as you can see from the symptom lists above, there is very little about Covid and Flu symptoms that truly differ. Some say the loss of taste and smell is unique to Covid, however, the stuffy nose and congested sinuses of a Flu can also temporarily decrease sense of smell and taste. Furthermore, not everyone who has Covid will experience a loss of tase or smell, so it's important that if those senses are not affected, you don't automatically assume it must not be Covid.
With the lack of symptoms that are consistently unique to Covid versus the Flu, it makes sense to get tested for Covid to be totally sure. We can actually test for both Covid and Flu in the same nasal swab specimen, which is not a service many in the city of Austin can offer.
It may also make sense to get tested for both Covid and Flu because there are other illnesses that may also mimic them, like the Rhinovirus (one of the viruses associated with the "common cold") and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus - another cause of the "common cold" which can be severe especially in children).
You can book your Covid test here, or text/call 512-400-4033. If you'd like to get the combination Covid and Flu test, give us a call to let us know because that test option is not listed in our online booking page.
Are the symptoms different in kids than in adults?
Symptoms in Kids
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/children/symptoms.html
Symptoms in Kids
According to the CDC, you can spread both Covid-19 and the flu for at least 1 day before experiencing any symptoms. People with Covid-19 tend to be contagious for longer.
In most cases, people are contagious for about 1 day before they show symptoms. Older children and adults are usually the most contagious in the first 3-4 days, but many remain contagious for about 7 days. Infants and people with weakened immune systems can be contagious for even longer.
People are contagious for about 2 days before they show symptoms. They are typically contagious for at least 10 days after their first symptom. Even if someone shows no symptoms (asymptomatic) or their symptoms go away, they can be contagious for at least 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19.
The CDC has stated that older adults, people with certain underlying medical conditions (including infants and children), and pregnant people are high-risk for both Covid-19 and the Flu.
Young children are at higher risk of severe illness from flu. Click here to learn more about People at High Risk for Flu Complications.
School-aged children infected with COVID-19 are at higher risk of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a rare but severe complication of COVID-19.
Click here for more info from the CDC on People at Increased Risk of COVID-19 Severe Illness.
Yes, we do! Again, we can actually test for both Covid and Flu in the same nasal swab specimen, which is not a service many in the city of Austin can offer... AND we can test children with this combo Covid-Flu test.
Many covid testing sites in Austin do not test children or do not test children under the age of 5. We have performed covid testing on children in Austin as young as 6 months old, and we perform these tests in the safety and convenience of your home. We understand how scary it can be when you think your little one may have Covid, and we also understand how difficult it can be to get them to a testing site.
With our service, there's no reason to take your child into a clinic with symptomatic patients, or even to have to load them up to go to a drive through covid testing site.
It may also make sense to get tested for both Covid and Flu because there are other illnesses that may also mimic them, like the Rhinovirus (one of the viruses associated with the "common cold") and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus - another cause of the "common cold" which can be severe especially in children).
You can book your Covid test here, or text/call 512-400-4033. If you'd like to get the combination Covid and Flu test, give us a call to let us know because that test option is not listed in our online booking page.
Page info source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm
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