Know The Difference:
COVID-19 vs. Flu vs. Allergies
Nearly half of all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are among people of color.
Reduce Your Risk: Remember the 3 Ws
Wash
your hands frequently
Use soap and warm water for 20 seconds
Watch
your distance
Keep 6 feet apart & avoid large crowds
Wear
a mask over nose & mouth
Prevent spread of COVID-19 & protect others
For 80% of people, COVID-19 symptoms are mild, and feel like the flu. So what’s the difference?
It’s important to know how you can tell the difference between COVID-19 symptoms, the flu and seasonal allergies and what can put you at risk for COVID-19. Use this table as a guide.
Covid-19
Symptoms
Spread-person-to-person
Fever (100.4° F or higher)
Sore throat
Headache
Fatigue (tiredness)
Muscle or body aches (or chills)
Runny or stuffy nose
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of taste & smell
Flu
Fever
Sore throat
Headache
Fatigue (tiredness)
Muscle or body aches (or chills)
Runny nose or stuffy nose
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Allergies
Itchy nose, sneezing
Itchy, watery eyes, redness
Itchy, sensitive skin, rash or hives- swelling
Wheeze, chest tightness
Runny or stuffy nose
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Covid-19
Prevention
Wear a mask over your nose & mouth
Wash your hands frequently
Watch your distance: avoid close contact with others – keep six feet apart and avoid crowds
Avoid touching your eyes, nose & mouth
Avoid exposure whenever possible
Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if needed
Flu
Prevention
Wash your hands frequently
Watch your distance: avoid close contact with others – keep six feet apart and avoid crowds
Avoid touching your eyes, nose & mouth
Avoid exposure whenever possible
Get the flu vaccine
Allergies
Prevention
Avoid your allergy triggers
If you’re not sure what your triggers are, ask your doctor about allergy testing
Medicate for allergies before pollen season or potential exposure
Covid-19
Treatment
Stay home and rest, except to get medial care
Call your doctor if you think you were exposed
Call ahead before going to the doctor
Request a COVID-19 test
Stay away from others
Flu
Treatment
Stay home and rest, except to get medical care
Contact your doctor early if you’re at high risk
Antiviral drugs may be an option for people at high risk for complications and people with lung conditions
Most people don’t need to go to the emergency room
Allergies
Treatment
Take prescribed or over-the-counter allergy medications
Antihistamines
Nasal sprays
Allergy shots
Allergy tablets
Nasal wash/rinse
Know the Difference in Your Risk for Hospitalization
Compared to people without these conditions:
1.5X People with asthma have a 1.5 times greater chance of being hospitalized.
3X – People with high blood pressure, obesity or diabetes have a 3 times greater chance of being hospitalized
4X People with chronic kidney disease have a 4 times greater chance of being hospitalized.
4.5X – People with severe obesity or two or more other conditions have a 4.5 times greater chance of being hospitalized.
5X – People with three or more conditions have a 5 times greater chance of being hospitalized.
The risk of being hospitalized increases for people with underlying *conditions (including asthma, obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, severe obesity, coronary artery disease, history of stroke and COPD). If you have any of these risk factors, please take extra precautions and make sure your healthcare provider knows about any underlying issues.
Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Black Americans, Hispanics & Native Americans face higher COVID-19 risks, compared to White, Non-Hispanic persons
What to do if you are sick with COVID-19?
Allergy & Asthma Network’s Not One More Life Trusted Messengers project aims to address health inequities and increase access to important health information and screenings for those who are at greater risk from COVID-19. This project is made possible through funding from the global biopharmaceutical company Sanofi.
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