Early in 2020, the world experienced nothing less than a seismic shift. Covid-19 struck, and it was soon noticeable in virtually every corner of the globe. Even the least inhabited areas were not immune. Hundreds of thousands died, while others contracted the illness but survived.
Oklahoma City hospitals saw an uptick in cases throughout the calendar year 2020, along with other medical networks all over America. Now, years later, there are vaccines widely available, and there are also medications that can counteract the worst aspects of this ailment.
However, that does not mean you should not take Covid seriously. That is particularly true if you have asthma, you’re an older adult, or if you are in certain other high risk groups.
Of course, it’s also possible to get the flu. Like Covid, the flu is highly contagious, and it can potentially kill you or make you very ill in certain situations.
If you start to feel sick as we enter the cold and flu season, how can you tell if what you’re experiencing is Covid or influenza? Let us take a look at how you can tell the difference between them and what to do if you contract either of these maladies.
The Incubation Period
Let’s say you are exposed to someone who is either Covid-positive or has the flu. At some point, if they have passed on either condition to you, then you will likely start to experience symptoms indicating you are becoming ill.
The incubation period for Covid is 2-14 days. In other words, you should start to see symptoms indicating you have contracted it somewhere between 2-14 days after the initial exposure.
Meanwhile, with the flu, you will typically see symptoms start to emerge within 1-4 days after exposure. This is to say that the incubation period for the flu is usually shorter and you should begin to see symptoms faster.
However, there’s an overlap between the two conditions. If you were exposed to someone who is ill, such as if you work in an office environment, you might have either Covid or the flu if you start coughing and sneezing within 2-3 days after that exposure.
Because of this, the incubation period is not the most reliable way to tell whether you have Covid or the flu. A shorter incubation period points toward the flu rather than Covid, but it is not a 100% foolproof way to tell what you have contracted. Luckily, there are more accurate ways to tell what you have.
Covid and Flu Tests
Most people understand because of the events of the past few years that there are now reliable Covid tests you can get over the counter that should accurately reveal whether you have contracted the virus. They were fast tracked to market in 2020-2021. However, what some people might not necessarily realize is that there are also over-the-counter flu tests that are considered by the medical profession to be just as accurate.
Both Covid and flu tests are readily available in grocery stores and pharmacies all across the nation, and neither one is particularly expensive. In some cases, you may even be able to obtain them for free.
To do so, you would need to reach out to the official website for your particular state. As the pandemic has now reached the endemic stage, there are some states that will no longer mail you free Covid tests. However, several of them still do, and it’s nice to be able to save some money if you feel ill and want to test yourself.
You can also get flu tests for free in some instances. To do so, you must be enrolled in VA/IHS healthcare or be eligible to receive Medicare or Medicaid.
Anyone who this does not apply to, or anyone who lives in a state that does not give away free tests, may need to pay for your Covid or flu test by buying it in the nearest drug store or grocery store. However, since these tests are normally not considered to be prohibitively expensive, that should not be an issue.
What Should You Do After You’ve Determined You Have Covid or the Flu?
The over-the-counter tests for both Covid and the flu are normally considered to be quite accurate at this point. If you test positive for either one, you can probably trust those results.
However, if you’re still not 100% sure, you can contact your doctor. By describing your symptoms to them, they can probably help you ascertain whether you have Covid or the flu.
It is not likely they will be willing to see you in person, since they will presumably not want to get sick. However, they can always schedule a telehealth appointment with you or speak to you over the phone at their convenience.
Whether you have Covid or the flu, it will be necessary to isolate yourself to avoid infecting others. That includes staying away from individuals within your own home if it’s possible to do so. You might stay in your room until such time as you start to feel better. You can also take additional measures to get the virus out of your system faster.
In the case of Covid, you will probably start a regimen of Paxlovid. If you have the flu, then you will need to drink lots of fluids, take over-the-counter meds like Advil or Tylenol, and eat healthy meals rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Most individuals who contract the flu start to feel better within a week, provided they isolate and take care of themselves. You’ll need plenty of rest. The same is true for Covid, especially if you’ve started to take Paxlovid. You can send a family member to get it for you at your local drug store.
If you belong to a high risk group, though, you should make your doctor aware that you have contracted either Covid or the flu. If you start to feel worse instead of better, hospitalization might be necessary.