Flu, COVID
Symptoms alone cannot tell them apart.
You cannot reliably tell flu from COVID-19 by symptoms; an antigen or PCR test is needed.
| Feature | Flu | COVID-19 |
|---|---|---|
| Incubation | 1–4 days | 2–14 days |
| Onset | Usually sudden | More variable |
| Loss of smell/taste | Rare | More common (varies by variant) |
| Fever, cough, fatigue | Common | Common |
- CDC — Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19
- WHO — Influenza (Seasonal) fact sheet
General information only; not diagnosis or treatment. Review your results with your clinician.
