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How can you differentiate between symptoms of flu and COVID-19 in early stages?
Updated: 11-Apr-2025

Flu and COVID-19 have overlapping symptoms: fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, and sore throat. However, COVID-19 more commonly causes loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, and prolonged fatigue. Flu symptoms tend to come on more suddenly. COVID-19 can also cause gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea.

Testing is the only way to definitively distinguish between them. Both illnesses require isolation to prevent transmission, especially COVID-19, which spreads rapidly. If you experience breathing difficulties or persistent chest pain, seek medical help immediately. Vaccines are available for both and are effective in reducing severity and spread.

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