Can COVID-19 and the Flu Feel the Same?

You woke up with a sore throat, a mild fever and some body aches. You’re sick, but you don’t know what is causing it! Nowadays, it can be frustrating or even a little overwhelming to get sick, thanks to the pandemic.

Many different illnesses share similar symptoms, including the flu, COVID-19 and strep throat, so it can be hard to figure out what illness is causing your symptoms at home.

Thankfully, AFC Urgent Care Indian Trail is here to help diagnose and treat you faster. Read on to learn more about the current common illnesses and about our rapid tests.

Do All Infections Cause the Same Symptoms?

Infections can be really contagious and can spread amongst our population quickly when the temperatures drop. Since we spend so much more of our time indoors at this time of year, a simple sneeze or uncovered cough can cause a large outbreak. A dirty or infected surface that hasn’t been cleaned can also cause an outbreak to occur if many people touch it or interact with it.

COVID-19, strep throat and the flu are all common infections at this time of year and can all cause similar symptoms to appear at the start. A low-grade fever, headache, sore throat and general body aches are common as your body starts to launch its immune response.

Rapid Tests We Perform at AFC Indian Trail

  • COVID-19
  • Influenza
  • Strep throat

What Symptoms Are Unique to COVID-19?

COVID-19 and the flu share a lot of symptom overlap, but they are different illnesses. One indication that your illness is COVID-19 is your symptom onset. The flu typically comes on suddenly a few days after exposure and can make you feel really sick really fast. COVID-19 is a bit more gradual.

It can start out with mild cold-like symptoms and can take up to two weeks for them to even appear. COVID-19 can also produce a deep cough that can leave you short of breath, while the flu often causes a mild, dry cough. In any situation, coming to see us for a rapid test can help diagnose you right away so we can treat you faster!

Symptoms Shared By COVID-19 and the Flu

  • Fatigue
  • Body aches
  • Runny nose
  • Fever

Need help determining what is making you sick? Stop by AFC Urgent Care Indian Trail for a rapid test.