Flu vs COVID-19

It’s a myth that COVID-19 is the same as the flu. They both have similarities but they are not the same illness.

Symptoms of both flu and COVID-19 can range from mild to severe but can be similar – fever, congestion, muscle aches, cough and fatigue. COVID-19 has a larger variety of symptoms such as shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell and nausea/vomiting/diarrhea.

The flu has an approved vaccine that can help prevent flu illnesses and severe outcomes of the flu. Preventing flu can help decrease missed work and school, decrease hospitalizations and help the health of our community overall. COVID-19 does not have an approved vaccine or anti-viral medication at this time.

The Macon County Health Department will have flu vaccine available this flu season at our office for those age 6 months and up. We will also be hosting drive thru flu vaccine clinics for Kindergarten-adults to get their flu vaccine this season. We will be in La Plata, Atlanta, Macon, Bevier, Callao and New Cambria this October. Those dates are available on our website at www.maconmohealth.org/flu