Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they’re caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and flu is caused by influenza viruses.
The symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar. It is hard to tell the difference between them without testing.
Cases of COVID-19 and flu can have anything from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe symptoms. Common symptoms that COVID-19 and flu share include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle pain or body aches
- Headache
- Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)
- The major difference between them is COVID-19 may include change in or loss of taste or smell.
The CDC has more information about similarities and differences between the flu and COVID-19.
References:
https://covid19.ca.gov/symptoms-and-risks/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html