The outbreak of coronavirus that started in a small town in China, is today a pandemic that has led several countries to close their borders and put entire localities in quarantine. But what makes this strain so dangerous, how do you know that you have it and not that it is influenza?
This is not the first time that the world has been confronted with a life-threatening disease, formerly the plague and influenza (H1N1). The latter appeared in 2009, registering more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries and 4,291 deaths.
What do you have? Differences between coronavirus and influenza
Both affect the airways, so it is easy to become confused and run to the health center in alarm. However, there are differences and here we reveal them to you.
Influenza
The World Health Organization describes it as a viral infection that mainly affects the nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. It is an illness that usually lasts a week and is characterized by the following.
- Sudden onset of high fever
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Dry Cough
- Sore Throat
- Rhinitis
- Fatigue and weakness
- Chills and sweating
At first, influenza may look like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat, but these tend to appear slowly, whereas influenza appears suddenly.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is a new strain discovered in 2019 that had not been previously identified in humans. According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning that they are transmitted between animals and people.
The signs of this condition are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty in breathing
In serious cases:
- Pneumonia
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- Kidney failure
- Death
Although in most cases, influenza can be treated at home, like the coronavirus, it is important to see your doctor. This is especially important so that your doctor can recommend the best treatment for you.