Covid-19 is far more dangerous in four ways that spread differently than the flu

The annual flu season poses even more risks Coronavirus Pandemic.

hospital Preparing for an influx of patients across the UK, experts warn that the NHS could be under severe pressure this winter.

yesterday, NHS CEO Sir Simon Stevens warned that if influenza and Covid-19 develop at the same time, people are twice as likely to die.

Seasonal influenza adapts to new strains each year. This means that those most vulnerable are encouraged to get a flu shot each year.

There are some similarities between Covid-19 and the flu, both of which can be fatal. Elderly people and people with existing medical conditions are at greatest risk of the worst complications.

The link between seasonal flu and Covid-19 is that they spread through droplets from the mouth and nose. Therefore, it is necessary to cover the face to reduce the spread.

However, the infection rate is different and the coronavirus is significantly more contagious.

And while we’re still learning about the new virus and how it affects some people more than others, scientists say the symptoms of Covid-19 compared to seasonal flu. Identified some important differences in infection, behavior.

The NHS is urging people to get a flu shot to alleviate the need for hospital treatment this winter, but knowing the difference between a normal illness and a coronavirus could have caught you. It helps you to know what is sexual and what action you should take.

There are four differences between Covid-19 and seasonal influenza.

Scientists have not yet seen human immunity to Covid-19

There is no Covid-19 vaccine yet, but the NHS offers a new influenza jab each year to fight the latest seasonal strains.

Scientists say Covid spreads more easily than seasonal flu-and our lack of immunity is a major contributor to that risk.

Professor Linsey Marr, an aerial virus expert who lectures on civil engineering and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech in the United States, warns that a lack of Covid-19 immunity in the population will lead to so-called “super spreader” events. I will.

Professor Ma Huffington Post Many people in a particular room are more likely to get the coronavirus than the flu.

This is not due to the nature of the virus itself, but to the lack of immunity in the population.

Therefore, as we already know, the competition to find a vaccine for Covid-19 is as important as it is for seasonal influenza to fight current and future viruses.

Some people with Covid-19 are “asymptomatic” and show no symptoms

Covid-19 and the flu share several symptoms, including high temperature and cough.

Both could see you experience a dry cough, and with Covid the cough will persist.

People with the flu often experience headaches and loss of appetite.

However, scientists discovered early in the pandemic that some people could catch and carry Covid-19 without showing symptoms.

And this is another reason why the coronavirus spreads more widely and rapidly than seasonal flu.

If you do not know that someone is infected with the virus because there are no signs of symptoms, you will not quarantine or avoid others. In other words, you will unknowingly spread the virus.

Some scientists even suggest that about 40% to 50% of people who catch Covid-19 are asymptomatic.

Influenza may be asymptomatic, but the main difference is the long incubation period of Covid-19.

Professor Ma explained that the incubation period (the time between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms) is up to 14 days in Covid, whereas people with the flu tend to have symptoms in 3 days.

This means that the window for spreading the flu to others or unknowingly is much shorter.

The “viral load” of influenza (the amount of virus in body fluids) does not tend to begin until symptoms appear.

But with Covid-19, this can take up to two weeks.

Higher virus spread

Professor Ma outlined how people with seasonal flu can spread the flu to an average of 1.3 other people.

However, with the coronavirus, the spread of the virus almost doubles to 2.5 people.

An example of a superspreading event is at the White House Rose Garden, where Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a top US scientist, revealed that at least 11 people had caught bugs. did.

Donald Trump’s team is famous for neglecting to wear masks during the pandemic, and at the White House event in September, Covid-19 could spread to more than 10 people in one event. confirmed.

At the time, Dr. Fauci said, “There was a superspreading event at the White House, and people were crowded and not wearing masks.”

Professor Ma supports this, emphasizing how increasing social distance and proper use of face coverings make it difficult for Covid to spread at a rate of 2.5.

Covid infections differ between children and adults

Top Boffin of King’s College London, UK, found that children show different Covid symptoms compared to adults, supporting other studies suggesting that viral infections differ between children and adults.

The World Health Organization has previously stated that “children are an important driver of influenza virus infection in the community.”

In addition, “In the case of the Covid-19 virus, initial data show that children are less affected than adults and have a lower clinical incidence in the 0-19 year old group.

“Further preliminary data from domestic infection studies in China suggest that children are infected from adults, and vice versa.”

WHO also reminded children that children are known to be at increased risk of developing severe infections when it comes to seasonal influenza.

Children under the age of 6 are at greatest risk of serious flu complications because their immune system is underdeveloped, fragile, and too young to be vaccinated against the flu.

Pregnant women, the elderly, and women with pre-existing health are at increased risk of influenza, as is the case with Covid.

But at least for children, with coronavirus, the child seems to be okay, as the main risk is found in the elderly and people in existing health.

WHO added: “In the case of Covid-19, our current understanding is that older people and underlying illnesses increase the risk of severe infections.”