Flu season is around the corner, and many of you may be wondering, “Is it possible to get the flu and to have COVID-19 at the same time?” The answer is YES, it is possible to be infected with COVID-19 and the flu at once.
COVID-19 and the flu spreads through respiratory droplets that are produced by sneezing, coughing, or by simply talking. Although the two cause similar illnesses, the flu is caused by an influenza virus, while COVID-19 is caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 (also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2).
At this time, it appears to be rare for someone to get both viruses at the same time, but there have been a few reports. Some studies have shown the outbreak of different respiratory viruses don’t spread at the same time, which means that one virus may not overlap with another virus. With flu season approaching, healthcare providers may start testing for both COVID-19 and the flu. The FDA is beginning to authorize additional combination diagnostic tests for COVID-19 and the flu.
So what happens if someone gets COVID-19 and the flu? People who get the flu or COVID-19 have mild symptoms and may not require any medical care, while individuals at higher-risk, like individuals that are 65 years of age or older with certain medical conditions like hypertension, or diabetes, may develop more serious symptoms and require to be hospitalized.
How can you prevent catching COVID-19, the flu, or both?
- Clean your hands often with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub
- Avoid contact with individuals who are not feeling well or are around those that are ill
- Try to avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth
- Keep a distance of at least 6 ft (or 2 m) from others in public
- Stay home if you’re not feeling well
- And lastly, wear a mask in public! ADV-Care Pharmacy sells masks and can be purchased here!