Nombre: Georgina Montes de oca del León

Mat.: 2010-318122

Similarities and differences covid-19 and influenza

Given the appearance of covid-19 with a viral picture very similar to the influenza, it is
necessary to make the difference between the two viruses, since the population is
becoming alarmed by any influenza picture, thinking it is the coronavirus.

Here are the differences:

Firstly, covid-19 and influenza viruses are similar. They both cause respiratory diseases,
which can be asymptomatic or mild but can also cause several disease and death.

Secondly, both viruses are transmitted by contact or droplets. The speed of

transmissions is an important difference between the two viruses. Influenza has a
shorter incubation period, and a shorter serial interval than covid-19 virus. The serial
interval for covid-19 virus is estimated to be 5-6 days, while for influenza virus, the
serial interval is 3 days. This means that influenza can spread faster than covid-19.

While symptoms of the two viruses are similar, the different is, for covid-19 current
data suggest the 80% of infection are mild or asymptomatic, 15 %are severe and 5% are
critical, requiring ventilation. Those most at risk of severe influenza infection are
children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions and
who are immunosuppressed for covid-19 our current under tending is that age and
underlying conditions increase the risk of severe infection.

Also mortality for covid-19 appears higher than for influenza, especially seasonal
influenza. While the true mortality will take some time to fully understand, existing data
suggest that the mortality ratio is between 3-4% for season influenza , mortality is
usually well below 0.1%. However, mortality is largely determined by access to and
quality of health care.