Obviously, with the outbreak of COVID-19 and the response, there is some discussion on the nature of the virus. When the virus first broke news, many referred to it as a flu-like virus. Now, many insist that calling this virus the flu is inaccurate. But, is it?
Part of the trouble with calling this virus a flu-like virus, or calling this virus a bad flu, is the colloquial usage of the word flu. Many use the word flu to describe numerous symptoms that may or may not be related to actual influenza.
Simply put, the flu is an upper respiratory viral infection. There are several recognized influenza subtypes and many strains. COVID-19, although not from a known influenza virus, is a flu-like virus because it is also an upper respiratory viral infection. This should not be comforting. Flu-like illnesses can be very dangerous and can cause a host of complications.
Why do some think that calling COVID-19 a flu-like virus does not adequately describe the virus? I would argue because they do not understand what influenza actually is, nor how dangerous it can be. Influenza is an illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and body aches. Other symptoms can include congestion, gastric issues such as vomiting and diarrhea, and shortness or inability to catch one's breath. COVID-19 presents with many of these same symptoms. Colloquially, many people refer to illness during the winter as having the flu, even if their only symptom is congestion with thick mucus.
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus, like the flu and RSV. Unlike the flu and RSV, all confirmed cases of COVID-19 are reportable to the CDC. RSV related-death, influenza-related deaths, and novel influenza A strains are also reportable to the CDC. RSV tends to be a higher risk for small children; influenza and COVID-19 tend to be a higher risk for adults. With all respiratory viruses, the immune-compromised and those with serious comorbidities are more likely to suffer severe cases, and possibly die. This isn't always the case, as COVID-19 and influenza have shown us, those who might be otherwise considered healthy can also develop severe cases and die.
How does an upper respiratory infection result in death? Usually, through dehydration and pneumonia. Occasionally, through the extra strain on the body - resulting in what could be considered exhaustion of reserves. These viruses are self-limiting infections. If managed, the infection will run its course and the individual will recover, usually with added immunities. Many have mild symptoms; however, viral infections can take a turn for the worst when combined with comorbidities, coinfections (another virus or bacterial infection), or complications.
Comorbidities are conditions or diseases, usually chronic, that the patient already has - diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are serious comorbidities that can cause a simple virus to become a dangerous virus. Coinfections occur when the patient has two or more infections. Many people are under the false impression that if you have one virus, you will not get sick with another. This is simply not true. If you are sick with a viral infection, you are actually more susceptible to other infections and the complications that come with them. Complications include unmanaged fevers (which can lead to neurological issues), dehydration (which can lead to renal issues), and pneumonia (which can lead to lung failure and feelings of drowning). This is not an exhaustive list; however, it should show how even healthy, young people can become infected with a viral infection and have serious cases.
Let me reiterate - saying that COVID-19 is flu-like should not be comforting. It should not be a way to downplay the seriousness. It does, however, provide healthcare professionals with a treatment plan.
Manage comorbidities. Avoid coinfections. Prevent complications.
Part of the trouble with calling this virus a flu-like virus, or calling this virus a bad flu, is the colloquial usage of the word flu. Many use the word flu to describe numerous symptoms that may or may not be related to actual influenza.
Simply put, the flu is an upper respiratory viral infection. There are several recognized influenza subtypes and many strains. COVID-19, although not from a known influenza virus, is a flu-like virus because it is also an upper respiratory viral infection. This should not be comforting. Flu-like illnesses can be very dangerous and can cause a host of complications.
Why do some think that calling COVID-19 a flu-like virus does not adequately describe the virus? I would argue because they do not understand what influenza actually is, nor how dangerous it can be. Influenza is an illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and body aches. Other symptoms can include congestion, gastric issues such as vomiting and diarrhea, and shortness or inability to catch one's breath. COVID-19 presents with many of these same symptoms. Colloquially, many people refer to illness during the winter as having the flu, even if their only symptom is congestion with thick mucus.
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus, like the flu and RSV. Unlike the flu and RSV, all confirmed cases of COVID-19 are reportable to the CDC. RSV related-death, influenza-related deaths, and novel influenza A strains are also reportable to the CDC. RSV tends to be a higher risk for small children; influenza and COVID-19 tend to be a higher risk for adults. With all respiratory viruses, the immune-compromised and those with serious comorbidities are more likely to suffer severe cases, and possibly die. This isn't always the case, as COVID-19 and influenza have shown us, those who might be otherwise considered healthy can also develop severe cases and die.
How does an upper respiratory infection result in death? Usually, through dehydration and pneumonia. Occasionally, through the extra strain on the body - resulting in what could be considered exhaustion of reserves. These viruses are self-limiting infections. If managed, the infection will run its course and the individual will recover, usually with added immunities. Many have mild symptoms; however, viral infections can take a turn for the worst when combined with comorbidities, coinfections (another virus or bacterial infection), or complications.
Comorbidities are conditions or diseases, usually chronic, that the patient already has - diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are serious comorbidities that can cause a simple virus to become a dangerous virus. Coinfections occur when the patient has two or more infections. Many people are under the false impression that if you have one virus, you will not get sick with another. This is simply not true. If you are sick with a viral infection, you are actually more susceptible to other infections and the complications that come with them. Complications include unmanaged fevers (which can lead to neurological issues), dehydration (which can lead to renal issues), and pneumonia (which can lead to lung failure and feelings of drowning). This is not an exhaustive list; however, it should show how even healthy, young people can become infected with a viral infection and have serious cases.
Let me reiterate - saying that COVID-19 is flu-like should not be comforting. It should not be a way to downplay the seriousness. It does, however, provide healthcare professionals with a treatment plan.
Manage comorbidities. Avoid coinfections. Prevent complications.
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