Difference Between Corona Virus Symptoms And Normal Flu

Lately, the general public has been shrouded in concern over the Corona virus outbreak. Because the infection that attacks the respiratory system has symptoms similar to the common cold, but can be fatal. So, what distinguishes the common cold from Corona virus infection or COVID-19?

Both the common cold and COVID-19 are both caused by viruses that attack the human respiratory tract. However, these two viruses come from different groups and have different characteristics.

The virus that causes flu comes from the rhinovirus group. This virus spreads from human to human and most often attacks children or adolescents. Rhinovirus infections can occur throughout the year, but most often in the rainy season. While COVID-19 is caused by viruses from the coronavirus group.

Differences in Symptoms of the Common Flu and Corona Virus Infection

The following are the differences between the symptoms of the common cold and the symptoms of Corona virus infection or COVID-19:

The Common Flu

The common cold occurs when rhinovirus attacks the respiratory tract. Generally, complaints that arise come from the nose and throat (upper respiratory tract). The symptoms are as follows:

Sneezing
Nasal congestion and runny
Sore throat
Mild headache
Cough
Fever (rare)

These symptoms usually appear 1-3 days after exposure to the virus from other people who are sick.

COVID-19

Just like rhinovirus, Corona virus also infects the tract . Therefore, people who suffer from COVID-19 can experience symptoms similar to flu. Even so, the Corona virus that is now being epidemic more often causes complaints in the lower respiratory tract. Corona virus can affect anyone, including pregnant or breastfeeding women and infants and children.

There are 3 main symptoms that can appear on COVID-19, namely:

High fever
Cough
Hard to breathe

Patients can also experience muscle aches, headaches, sore throats, colds, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. However, this symptom is uncommon and is not typical in COVID-19 patients.

In severe cases, Corona virus infection can cause serious complications, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, severe pneumonia (lung infection), pulmonary edema, and malfunction of body organs, such as the kidneys.

Treatment of flu and Corona Virus Infection

Treatments for the flu and Corona virus infection or COVID-19 cannot be compared, because these two diseases are very different. The following is an evidence of the treatment of flu and Corona virus infections:

The Common Cold

The flu can generally heal itself in 4-9 days. The stronger the immune system, the faster the flu heals. Therefore, the doctor will advise flu sufferers to get plenty of rest, eat nutritious food, and drink enough water.

Meanwhile, to relieve flu symptoms, doctors will usually give:

Chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine

Flu drugs with this combination can be consumed to relieve complaints of stuffy and runny nose. Chlorpheniramine works by blocking histamine compounds that cause swelling in the nasal arteries, while pseudoephedrine will shrink the dilated blood vessels due to histamine.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen

Both of those drugs are often wont to treat flu symptoms amid mild fever. Both paracetamol and ibuprofen are available during a sort of brands, and are very easy to seek out in pharmacies or drug stores.

A combination of paracetamol, chlorpheniramine, pseudoepherine, and guaifenesin

If you have a cold accompanied by fever, cough with phlegm, and runny nose, you can take cold medicine with a combination of paracetamol, chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine, and guaifenesin to relieve these symptoms.

COVID-19

Until now, no drugs or vaccines have been found that can treat or prevent Corona virus infection or COVID-19. However, symptoms of COVID-19 which are like the common cold can be alleviated with cold medicine.

Unlike the case of COVID-19 with severe symptoms, treatment is more aimed at maintaining the patient's condition and addressing complications that arise so as not to be fatal.

Although no vaccine has been found that can prevent Corona virus infection, you can minimize the risk of getting this infection by:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Use a mask for every activity outdoors or in public places.
Increase drinking water.
Get enough rest.
Do not touch the eyes, nose and mouth with dirty hands.
Avoid contact with people who are coughing and fever.

Corona viral infection can cause symptoms that are mild to very severe and life threatening. The mild symptoms of COVID-19 can indeed be similar to the symptoms of the common cold. Therefore, you need to be more observant to recognize the difference, based on the explanation above.

If you experience flu symptoms, especially those that do not heal for more than 1 week and are accompanied by a high fever, consult a doctor immediately to determine the cause.