In the absence of containment, winter viruses have made a comeback: runny nose, scratchy throat and seasonal fatigue are present at the start of the year 2022 … How, therefore, can we distinguish the symptoms of a simple cold or the flu with those of the Covid-19, whose epidemic outbreak is strengthening a little more each day? With the rapid spread of Omicron, should we also be concerned about symptoms specific to this variant, which are different from those presented by previous mutations?
The Covid-19 is very similar to that of the flu in its first manifestations, hence the risk of confusion between the two infections and the concern of patients. “The first symptoms of a Covid-19 infection can be very similar to those of the flu. The flu and Covid-19 generally start with the same symptoms: you feel feverish, tired, you have a runny nose, your throat has a sore throat, you sneeze and you can cough, ”describes Dr Fatimazahra Skalli, pulmonologist.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “it is above all the incubation time of the virus that can alert you”: the time to develop flu symptoms is between 2 and 3 days, against 5 to 6 days for the Covid-19. In addition, certain symptoms specific to the coronavirus can put you on the alert, such as loss of taste and smell. If in doubt, it is strongly recommended to perform a PCR test. This means of screening remains the best way to determine whether you have been exposed to Covid-19 – and, after sequencing, to determine whether it is with Omicron that you have been infected.
Fault in barrier gestures?
Classic winter diseases are starting to gain ground at a time when, Covid-19, along with the Omicron variant, is spreading rapidly. However, in the opinion of some specialists, the two trends are inevitably linked. In other words, this sudden return of seasonal pathologies is precisely due to the lull previously observed on the Covid front.
“We had the resumption of the festive activity, the convivial activity, the gatherings in small places without wearing a mask, without any barrier measure … All this means that ultimately we have an increase in these pathologies”, sums up Dr Skalli.
“Last year there was no epidemic. A problem, because we therefore do not have group immunity. As our bodies have not been confronted with it at all, they will be more vulnerable to it this winter, and we will fall ill more easily, ”she adds. In recent months, another factor has raised concern among physicians and may still enter the equation for seasonal illnesses today: vaccinee syndrome. The expression in fact refers to patients who, once partially or completely vaccinated, feel overwhelmed by a feeling of “relief” and free themselves from barrier gestures at the risk of catching and transmitting the virus.
Common points
The virus responsible for Covid-19 has similarities to that of the flu. The two diseases are “respiratory infections like viral pneumonia,” says Dr Skalli.
“First, the Covid-19 virus and the influenza virus give a similar clinical picture, marked by respiratory manifestations. The symptoms are very varied: while some subjects are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, others have serious manifestations or even die, ”explains the pulmonologist. Both viruses cause similar symptoms. “Runny nose, fever, cough, stiffness, fatigue, the first symptoms of Co-vid-19 are comparable to those of the flu,” confirms Dr Skalli.
Dissimilarities
According to Dr Skalli, the coronavirus has a serial interval of 5 to 6 days while the flu has a serial interval of 3 days. The flu therefore spreads faster than the Covid-19. Also, the reproduction rate of Covid is 2 to 2.5 times higher than that of the flu.
In addition, Covid-19 has higher rates of severe forms and complications than the flu. Among the complications of a coronavirus infection: acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal failure or even multi-organ failure.
.