Winter has firmly taken hold across the United Kingdom, bringing with it the annual surge of seasonal illnesses. While coughs and colds are expected, the concurrent circulation of both Covid and influenza has left many Britons questioning how to distinguish between the two viral infections.
Spotting the Symptoms: Covid vs Influenza
Influenza, commonly known as flu, is currently sweeping across the nation, with particular attention being paid to the H3N2 strain. This specific variant recently impacted Japan and Australia and is now active within the UK. The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has emphasised that this virus is "far worse" than a common cold.
Classic flu symptoms include a sudden high temperature, an aching body, feelings of tiredness or exhaustion, a dry cough, a sore throat, headache, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, tummy pain, and nausea.
These signs can be easily confused with Covid-19, the virus that first majorly impacted Britain in 2020 and continues to circulate. Its symptoms share significant overlap with flu, making differentiation challenging without a test.
Current Virus Trends in the UK
According to the latest data from the UKHSA, there appears to be a shift in infection rates. Covid infections may have seen a slight decline, but flu is back on the rise. The testing positivity rate for influenza up to the week of November 2 has shot up by 11.6 per cent.
Janky Raja, a Boots pharmacist, explained the difficulty in telling the illnesses apart: "Flu, the common cold and coronavirus are all illnesses caused by a viral infection of the respiratory system, so it is not surprising that they share many common symptoms and can be difficult to tell apart."
The Definitive Way to Know
There is strictly only one reliable method to determine whether you have Covid or the flu: taking a Covid test. While comparing symptom lists can provide clues, a test gives a definitive answer.
Ms Raja advised: "The main symptoms of COVID-19 are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and loss or change to your sense of taste or smell. If you have any of these symptoms, get a test as soon as possible and stay at home until you get the result."
For those experiencing other uncertain symptoms, using the NHS 111 online coronavirus service is recommended for further guidance.
