By Dr D Kumar
Lots of myths and misinformation have spread in social media and main stream media. One of the most common confusion is over a question- Is COVID 19 an influenza ?
Differences between COVID 19 and influenza
Speed of Transmission
The median incubation period (the time from infection to appearance of symptoms) and serial interval (the time between successive cases) for influenza is shorter than COVID-19 virus. The COVID-19 virus has a serial interval of 5-6 days while it is 3 days for influenza virus. The influenza spreads faster than COVID-19.
Pre-symptomatic transmission
Transmission of the virus before the appearance of symptoms is called Pre-symptomatic transmission.It is first 3-5 days of illness for influenza. Pre-symptomatic transmission is major factor in its spread.
It is seen that people ,who can shed COVID-19 virus 24-48 hours prior to symptom onset , are not much major factor in its spread.
The reproductive number
The reproductive number is defined as the number of secondary infections generated from one infected individual .The is estimated that a COVID 19 infected person can infect between 2 and 2.5 persons.It higher than for influenza.
However,both COVID-19 and influenza viruses display variation in their rate as per context,place and time. A direct comparisons is difficult to infer.
Role of Children in spread of COVID 19
Children play major role in spread of influenza virus.Initial data shows that Children are less affected by COVID-19 virus.
The clinical attack rates in the 0-19 age group are low. Strangely, data of household transmission in China suggests that children are being infected from adults, rather than just opposite in case of influenza.
Severity of COVID 19
COVID 19 shows more severity. Present data suggests that 80% of COVID 19 infections are mild or asymptomatic and 15% are severe infections requiring oxygen .
Only 5% are critical infections, requiring ventilation. This level of severity in case of influenza is not seen.
Who are at risk of COVID 19 virus ?
COVID-19 virus infects older age people (over 65 years) more severely. Diabetics and heart patients, people with lung diseases, kidney disease and lower immunity have higher risk for severe infection.
The above fact, only indicates that people of above mentioned group will have serious problem when they get infected with COVID 19 virus.Their death rate will be higher.
If you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, you should:
- Stock up on supplies
- Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others
- When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
- Avoid crowds as much as possible(Source-CDC)
During a COVID-19 outbreak an outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible
What is death rate for COVID 19 ?
Mortality for COVID-19 is much higher than for influenza.The true mortality of COVID-19 can be fixed after analysis of large set of data over time.
Presently,we have crude mortality ratio (the number of reported deaths divided by the reported cases) which is between 3-4%.
Mortality for influenza is normally below 0.1%. Death rate is affected by the quality of health care , access to health care and other socio-economic factors.
What are chances of cure from COVID 19 ?
Presently , there is no cure for COVID 19. Many therapeutics are under clinical trials in China. More than 20 vaccines are under study for COVID-19.WHO estimates that vaccine development may take about 18 months.
What are similarities between COVID 19 and influenza?
Both, COVID-19 and influenza viruses show similar symptoms.Both have have a similar disease presentation.
- Both cause respiratory problem.
- Both viruses are transmitted by contact, droplets and fomites.
- Both can be prevented by same public health measures, like frequent hand washing , maintaining proper hygiene and appropriate respiratory etiquette.
- Coughing into your elbow or into a tissue and immediately disposing of the tissue can prevent infection from both viruses.
By Dr D Kumar
Lots of myths and misinformation have spread in social media and main stream media. One of the most common confusion is over a question- Is COVID 19 an influenza ?
Differences between COVID 19 and influenza
Speed of Transmission
The median incubation period (the time from infection to appearance of symptoms) and serial interval (the time between successive cases) for influenza is shorter than COVID-19 virus. The COVID-19 virus has a serial interval of 5-6 days while it is 3 days for influenza virus. The influenza spreads faster than COVID-19.
Pre-symptomatic transmission
Transmission of the virus before the appearance of symptoms is called Pre-symptomatic transmission.It is first 3-5 days of illness for influenza. Pre-symptomatic transmission is major factor in its spread.
It is seen that people ,who can shed COVID-19 virus 24-48 hours prior to symptom onset , are not much major factor in its spread.
The reproductive number
The reproductive number is defined as the number of secondary infections generated from one infected individual .The is estimated that a COVID 19 infected person can infect between 2 and 2.5 persons.It higher than for influenza.
However,both COVID-19 and influenza viruses display variation in their rate as per context,place and time. A direct comparisons is difficult to infer.
Role of Children in spread of COVID 19
Children play major role in spread of influenza virus.Initial data shows that Children are less affected by COVID-19 virus.
The clinical attack rates in the 0-19 age group are low. Strangely, data of household transmission in China suggests that children are being infected from adults, rather than just opposite in case of influenza.
Severity of COVID 19
COVID 19 shows more severity. Present data suggests that 80% of COVID 19 infections are mild or asymptomatic and 15% are severe infections requiring oxygen .
Only 5% are critical infections, requiring ventilation. This level of severity in case of influenza is not seen.
Who are at risk of COVID 19 virus ?
COVID-19 virus infects older age people (over 65 years) more severely. Diabetics and heart patients, people with lung diseases, kidney disease and lower immunity have higher risk for severe infection.
The above fact, only indicates that people of above mentioned group will have serious problem when they get infected with COVID 19 virus.Their death rate will be higher.
If you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, you should:
- Stock up on supplies
- Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others
- When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
- Avoid crowds as much as possible(Source-CDC)
During a COVID-19 outbreak an outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible
What is death rate for COVID 19 ?
Mortality for COVID-19 is much higher than for influenza.The true mortality of COVID-19 can be fixed after analysis of large set of data over time.
Presently,we have crude mortality ratio (the number of reported deaths divided by the reported cases) which is between 3-4%.
Mortality for influenza is normally below 0.1%. Death rate is affected by the quality of health care , access to health care and other socio-economic factors.
What are chances of cure from COVID 19 ?
Presently , there is no cure for COVID 19. Many therapeutics are under clinical trials in China. More than 20 vaccines are under study for COVID-19.WHO estimates that vaccine development may take about 18 months.
What are similarities between COVID 19 and influenza?
Both, COVID-19 and influenza viruses show similar symptoms.Both have have a similar disease presentation.
- Both cause respiratory problem.
- Both viruses are transmitted by contact, droplets and fomites.
- Both can be prevented by same public health measures, like frequent hand washing , maintaining proper hygiene and appropriate respiratory etiquette.
- Coughing into your elbow or into a tissue and immediately disposing of the tissue can prevent infection from both viruses.
