COVID19
is the
disease caused by the new coronavirus that emerged in China in
December 2019. COVID-19 symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of
breath, muscle aches, sore throat, unexplained loss of taste or
smell, diarrhea and headache. COVID-19 can be severe, and some
cases have caused death. The new coronavirus can be spread from
person to person. It is diagnosed with a laboratory test.There is
no coronavirus vaccine yet. Prevention involves frequent
hand-washing, coughing into the bend of your elbow, staying home
when you are sick and wearing a cloth face covering if you can't
practice social distancing. Differences: COVID-19 and the
Flu. COVID-19: Caused by one virus, the novel 2019
coronavirus, now called severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2. Flu: Caused by any of several
different types and strains of influenza viruses. While both the
flu and COVID-19 may be transmitted in similar ways (see the
Similarities section above), there is also a possible difference:
COVID-19 might be spread through the airborne route, meaning that
tiny droplets remaining in the air could cause disease in others
even after the ill person is no longer near. COVID-19: Antiviral
medications and other therapies are currently being tested to see
if they can address symptoms. Antiviral medications can address
symptoms and sometimes shorten the duration of the illness.
COVID-19: No vaccine is available at this time, though it is in
progress.Flu: A vaccine is available and effective to prevent some
of the most dangerous types or to reduce the severity of the flu.
COVID-19: Approximately 1,997,321 cases worldwide; 609,685 cases in
the U.S. as of Apr. 15, 2020.* Flu: Estimated 1 billion cases
worldwide; 9.3 million to 45 million cases in the U.S. per year.
COVID-19: Approximately 127,601 deaths reported worldwide; 26,059
deaths in the U.S., as of Apr. 15, 2020. Flu: 291,000 to 646,000
deaths worldwide; 12,000 to 61,000 deaths in the U.S. per
year