The winter months are not a welcoming time of year for sicknesses. While the flu usually reigns supreme this time every year, COVID-19 is not backing down.

To do our best at avoiding a “twindemic,” it’s important to follow necessary health-safety precautions like wearing a mask in public and social distancing.

If you do happen to get sick this year, how do you know if it’s with the flu or COVID-19? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Greenwood is here to help, so read on.

How Do I Know If I Have the Flu?

The flu and the coronavirus share similar symptoms, but they also share some key differences. Typically unlike COVID-19, flu symptoms come on suddenly, and they come on hard. A fever is a tell-tale sign of the flu, whereas a fever isn’t quite as consistent in COVID-19.

An additional defining factor of the flu is that the flu doesn’t usually cause as many serious illnesses as COVID-19. We’ve listed some more common symptoms of the flu below.

Common Flu Symptoms

• Joint and muscle aches
• Pain and tiredness around the eyes
• Weakness or extreme fatigue
• Warm, flushed skin and red, watery eyes
• Frequent headaches
• Fever

How Do I Know If I Have COVID-19?

As we said earlier, COVID-19 symptoms and flu symptoms look a lot alike. The flu and COVID-19 are two different respiratory illnesses, and they are caused by two different viruses. The flu is caused by an infection with influenza viruses, and COVID-19 is caused by an infection with a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2.

Experts say that one of the most telling signs of COVID-19 is a new loss of taste or smell and difficulty breathing. If you experience these symptoms, including some of the ones we’ve listed below, it’s important to schedule a COVID-19 test.

More Symptoms of COVID-19

• Cough
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever or chills
• Headaches

It’s scary out there right now, but AFC Urgent Care Greenwood has got your back. Visit us if you feel under the weather today.