With flu season typically starting this month in Arizona, Banner Health offers tips on how to know whether you have influenza rather than COVID-19.
According to Banner Health, both COVID-19 and the flu include fevers or feeling feverish/having the chills, a cough, fatigue, a sore throat, congestion or a runny nose, muscle pain or body aches, headaches and occasionally vomiting and diarrhea.
A common symptom of COVID-19 is a new loss of smell/taste and shortness of breath sometimes affects people with COVID-19 but it is rare for someone with the flu to experience these symptoms. Sneezing is sometimes a symptom of the flu and commonly of a cold but it is rare for anyone with COVID-19. Chest pain and discomfort are common manifestations of the flu and cold but rare for COVID-19, according to Banner Health.
To stay healthy during flu season, Banner Health recommends people obtain a flu shot by the end of September, avoid close contact with anyone who is sick and stay home if they are ill. People should cover their mouth and nose when they are coughing or sneezing, wash their hands often and avoid touching their eyes, mouth and nose.
To learn more, visit www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog.
