COVID-19: Can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, and more. Severity varies, and some cases can be asymptomatic.
Flu: Symptoms typically include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, and sometimes nausea or vomiting.
Transmission
COVID-19: Highly contagious and primarily spreads through respiratory droplets. It can also spread via contact with contaminated surfaces.
Flu: Also spreads through respiratory droplets, similar to COVID-19.
Vaccines
COVID-19: Multiple vaccines have been developed and authorized for emergency use to prevent COVID-19.
Flu: Seasonal flu vaccines are available and recommended each year to protect against specific flu strains.
Seasonality
COVID-19: It can spread year-round but has shown seasonal variations in some regions.
Flu: Seasonal flu outbreaks are common during the fall and winter months in temperate regions.
Severity and mortality
COVID-19: Generally has a higher mortality rate than the flu, especially among older adults and individuals with underlying health conditions.
Flu: Typically has a lower overall mortality rate but can still be deadly, especially for vulnerable populations.
Long-term effects
COVID-19: Some individuals experience long-term health issues known as “long COVID,” which can include persistent symptoms even after recovery.
Flu: Long-term effects are generally less common and less severe.
