Health Matters: Is It The Flu Or COVID-19?

HEALTH MATTERS Flu And COVID-19 . . . What’s The Difference?

Supplied By The WECHU

The influenza (flu) and COVID-19 infections share some common symptoms, which makes it difficult to tell them apart.

Specifically, the following symptoms are common to both the flu and COVID-19 — fever, chills; chest discomfort, cough; feeling tired; body aches/pains and headache.

Children And Flu

Children with the flu may have similar symptoms to adults, but there can be differences . . .

Newborns and babies may have an unexplained high fever and no other signs of illness.

Young children usually have temperatures over 39.5°C and may have convulsions.

Upset stomach and pain, vomiting, and diarrhea are common in younger children.

Earaches and red eyes are also common.

Children And COVID-19

Some children who have COVID-19 do not have any symptoms, while others may experience mild to moderate symptoms such as a low-grade fever, fatigue, and cough.

Although rare, a small number of children have developed a severe and dangerous complication of COVID-19 called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C).

Public Health Measures To Reduce The Spread Of Flu And COVID-19

Stay home and do not go to work or school if you are sick.

Stay up-to-date with your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Wear a well-fitted medical or non-medical mask in public settings.

Maintain a two metre distance from others in public settings.

Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.

Maintain good ventilation in indoor spaces.

Vaccination: The Best Way To Protect Yourself And Others

Staying up-to-date on COVID-19 and seasonal flu immunizations is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and the community.

People eligible to get vaccinated are encouraged to do so in order to protect those around them.

Keep in mind, children aged five and under are not able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine within 14 days of other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to call their health care provider or visit a participating pharmacy to book a COVID-19 and/or flu shot for your family.

COVID-19 vaccine appointments are available at the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit building, which can be booked via the website: WEVAX.ca or by calling 519-258-2146 ext. 4500.

For more information on the influenza (flu) and COVID-19 vaccines, visit the website: WECHU.org The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU), in partnership with other agencies and health care providers, seeks to enable all Windsor and Essex County residents to be as healthy as possible. The Health Unit is located at 1005 Ouellette Avenue in Windsor.