The confirmation of the first cases of the Coronavirus on March 12, 2020, comes at a time when the flu season is around the corner. While nothing is alarming about the flu, it might be mistaken to be the coronavirus by some Ghanaians.
To avoid jumping into conclusions, this article will help you tell the difference between coronavirus symptoms and flu symptoms.
Before we start differentiating the symptoms, you can easily know whether you have the coronavirus or not by asking yourself some questions. These questions help to bring some context to your suspicions of having the coronavirus.
- Have you traveled recently? And if so, where?
- Have you had anybody in your home or had a workmate or schoolmate who’s traveled?
- Where did they go?
- Have you had anybody in your home from areas where the outbreak is most concentrated?
- Have you been on a cruise ship?
- Do you live in an area where there’s an outbreak?
If all your answers are no, then you have nothing to worry about. It’s just the flu and nothing more. Your worries should end here.
Should you answer yes to any of those questions, you have to be cautious of the kind of symptoms you exhibit. It is important to note that the initial stages of the flu and the coronavirus can be very similar that you might not cause any alarm.
The only way to know it is the coronavirus is if the symptoms persist with time. Cold and mild flu symptoms usually resolve themselves within a few days. Coronavirus, on the other hand, can put you out of commission with symptoms such as tiredness and severe muscle or joint aches.
There are instances when mild flu might get worse with time and can be mistaken to be COVID-19. It is advised that you seek medical care to assess your situation.
One thing that is not associated with the coronavirus is a running nose. Coronavirus will most likely cause sore throats, cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
Finally, just because it is just a case of the flu doesn’t mean it isn’t serious. People of an older demographic are at more risk to cases of flu in the same manner as the coronavirus. Everyone needs to maintain high levels of hygiene during this time.
What is more important is to be a responsible citizen and share verified information with others. Spreading false information only makes things worse. Make sure the information you get is verifiable before sharing it with your loved one.
Source: OccupyGh.com
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