Influenza and COVID-19 are respiratory diseases caused by different viruses. The first is caused by influenza viruses, and the second by the coronavirus first detected in 2019.

According to the latest information, COVID-19 is likely to spread more easily than influenza.

Both influenza and COVID-19 can be transmitted from person to person who is nearby without keeping a distance.

Compared to influenza, COVID-19 can cause more serious health consequences. However, both diseases can be severe and fatal.

In addition, a person infected with COVID-19 may have a long asymptomatic period and may be contagious to others for longer.

At the same time, it is impossible to determine what exactly a person is sick only on the basis of symptoms. Especially when you consider that COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms. Testing is required to confirm an accurate diagnosis.

It is important that a person can be infected with two viruses at the same time and have symptoms of both influenza and COVID-19. Also, both diseases can be asymptomatic.

Common symptoms are:

 Fever or fever/chills

 Cough

 Fatigue

 Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing

 Soreness in the throat

 Runny nose and nasal congestion

 Pain in the muscles

 Headache and headache

 Vomiting and diarrhea

 Loss of taste and smell (although this is more common in COVID-19).

One or more days may pass from the moment of infection and the onset of symptoms. In both cases, the infected person can excrete and spread the virus before visible symptoms appear.

However, COVID-19 symptoms can take longer to appear than flu symptoms. In the case of COVID-19, a person can be contagious longer than when they have the flu.

Groups at risk of severe influenza and COVID-19, in particular, include the elderly, people with comorbidities, and pregnant women.

The only protection against these diseases is vaccination. However, influenza vaccination is not included in the National Vaccination Schedule, it is recommended. However, the vaccine can be purchased in pharmacies, and vaccination can be done free of charge in a medical institution where a declaration with a family doctor is concluded. All influenza vaccines available in Ukraine are safe and effective against influenza virus strains that WHO predicts will circulate in the Northern Hemisphere in the 2021-2022 season.

Vaccination against COVID-19 in Ukraine is carried out by mobile immunization teams, vaccination points, and mass vaccination centers. The list of mass vaccination centers and vaccination points can be found at the link: https://list.covid19.gov.ua/.