7 DIFFERENCES between the novel coronavirus disease and influenza (flu)

The virus with the scientific name SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease known as COVID-19, the novel coronavirus and the influenza family of viruses that causes seasonal flu are both viruses that can seriously affect the respiratory system. However, deaths due to COVID-19 are markedly higher than those due to influenza. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are clear differences between the novel coronavirus and influenza viruses.

These prominent differences are as follows:

1. Rate of multiplication: Pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus develops more slowly than pneumonia caused by influenza. However, the coronavirus has a longer average incubation period.

2. Timing of transmission: The influenza virus generally spreads after a person has begun to develop symptoms of the illness (most commonly between 3 and 5 days). In contrast, transmission of the novel coronavirus is most intense before symptoms begin and during the first week of the illness. Therefore, staying at home and restricting social activities are the best ways to protect against this disease and reduce its adverse consequences. The video graphic below shows how avoiding or maintaining social contact affects the spread of COVID-19:

3. Transmissibility: The novel coronavirus is more contagious than influenza. A patient infected with the coronavirus can transmit the disease to approximately 2-2.5 people. However, assessment of the infectivity of these two viruses (their ability to establish themselves and multiply) may vary depending on conditions and time. If an infected person does not isolate themselves, remains in contact with others for a long time, and other members of the community also do not avoid social contact, they will naturally infect more people (in the worst-case scenario, it is estimated that 1 person could transmit the novel coronavirus to as many as 400 people).

4. Rate of serious (severe) disease: According to the data obtained to date, severe and very severe infections are more common in the novel coronavirus disease than in influenza. Among people diagnosed with the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), 80% were observed to have mild or moderate disease, 16% serious disease, and 4% very severe disease or a critical condition.

5. People affected: The main risk groups for influenza include people with problems related to the immune system (children, pregnant women, older people, and people with other chronic illnesses). Pneumonia due to the novel coronavirus disease particularly affects older people with additional illnesses more seriously. However, it has been reported in the United States that 20% of hospital admissions due to COVID-19 were among people under the age of 44.

6. Death rates: While the death rate for seasonal flu is generally below 0.1%, recent studies suggest that the death rate for the coronavirus is approximately 3-4%. However, more studies and time are needed to establish the death rate for pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus clearly.

7. Medical treatments: Antiviral drugs and vaccines are available for the medical treatment of influenza. However, there is no approved vaccine or treatment specific to the novel coronavirus.

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The World Health Organization says that many drugs to be used for COVID-19 treatment in China are undergoing clinical trials and that more than 20 vaccines are being developed. The existing influenza / flu vaccine is not effective against the novel coronavirus. However, annual vaccination with the influenza vaccine, which is updated every year, is recommended to protect against influenza.