Similarities and Differences between Influenza and COVID-19: WHO

March 31, 2020 Kusum Wagle Public Health News 0

  • Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats.
  • Coronaviruses are zoonotic viruses i.e. they are transmitted between animals and people.
  • Corona virus disease is now commonly known as COVID-19.

Most of us are usually confused with the similarities and differences between COVID-19 and Influenza as these two have similar symptoms and disease presentation as well. So, let us have a look at the similarities and differences between COVID-19 and Influenza as described by World Health Organization (WHO). 

Similarities between Influenza and COVID-19:

  • Firstly, COVID-19 and influenza viruses have a similar disease presentation. That is, they both cause respiratory disease, which presents as a wide range of illness from asymptomatic or mild through to severe disease and death.
  • Secondly, both viruses are transmitted by contact, droplets and fomites. As a result, the same public health measures, such as hand hygiene and good respiratory etiquette (coughing into your elbow or into a tissue and immediately disposing of the tissue), are important actions all can take to prevent infection.

Differences between Influenza and COVID-19:

COVID-19:

  • COVID-19 has longer incubation period than influenza.
  • It has longer serial interval ranging from 5-6 days.
  • The number of secondary infections generated from one infected individual – is understood to be between 2 and 2.5 for COVID-19 virus.
  • Usually, children are less affected than adults and that clinical attack rates in the 0-19 age group are low for COVID-19.
  • Mortality for COVID-19 appears to be higher than influenza, especially seasonal influenza. As per the data so far, crude mortality ratio (the number of reported deaths divided by the reported cases) is between 3-4%.
  • New vaccines have been developed for COVID-19 by different countries. These vaccines have different potency and effectiveness. At the same time, new vaccines are also under trial.

Influenza:

  • Shorter median incubation period (time from infection to appearance of symptoms).
  • Influenza has shorter serial interval of 3 days.
  • The number of secondary infections generated in case of influenza is less compared to COVID-19.
  • Children are important drivers of influenza virus transmission in the community.
  • For seasonal influenza, mortality is usually well below 0.1%.
  • Antivirals and vaccines available for influenza.
Basis of differences Influenza COVID-19
Speed of Transmission Shorter median incubation period (time from infection to appearance of symptoms) Longer median incubation period than influenza
Serial Interval (the time between successive cases) Shorter serial interval. The serial interval for influenza is 3 days. Longer serial interval. The serial interval for COVID-19 virus is estimated to be 5-6 days
Speed of Spread Can spread faster. Spreads slower than Influenza
Time of Transmission Transmission in the first 3-5 days of illness, or potentially pre-symptomatic transmission –transmission of the virus before the appearance of symptoms – is a major driver of transmission for influenza We are learning that there are people who can shed COVID-19 virus 24-48 hours prior to symptom onset. But, at present, this does not appear to be a major driver of transmission
Reproductive Number The number of secondary infections generated in case of influenza is less compared to COVID-19. The number of secondary infections generated from one infected individual – is understood to be between 2 and 2.5 for COVID-19 virus
More vulnerable population

 

 Children are important drivers of influenza virus transmission in the community. Initial data indicates that children are less affected than adults and that clinical attack rates in the 0-19 age group are low.
Fraction of infection Fractions of severe and critical infection is less compared to COVID-19. Fractions of severe and critical infection would be higher than influenza infection. Data to date suggest that 80% of infections are mild or asymptomatic, 15% are severe infection, requiring oxygen and 5% are critical infections, requiring ventilation
Who Are At More Risk? Those most at risk for severe influenza infection are children, pregnant women, elderly, those with underlying chronic medical conditions and those who are immunosuppressed. As per the current understanding, older age and underlying conditions increase the risk for severe infection of COVID-19.
Mortality Ratio Mortality is less compared to COVID-19. For seasonal influenza, mortality is usually well below 0.1%. Mortality for COVID-19 appears to be higher than influenza, especially seasonal influenza. As per the data so far, crude mortality ratio (the number of reported deaths divided by the reported cases) is between 3-4%.
Availability of Vaccines/Therapeutics Antivirals and vaccines available for influenza New vaccines have been developed for COVID-19 by different countries. These vaccines have different potency and effectiveness. At the same time, new vaccines are also under trial.

News Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-similarities-and-differences-covid-19-and-influenza

Date of News Publication: March 17, 2020

About Kusum Wagle 216 Articles
Hello and greetings everyone! I am Kusum Wagle, MPH, WHO-TDR Scholar, BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, Bangladesh. I have gained profound experiences in public health sector under different thematic areas of health, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, maternal and newborn health, research etc., targeting diverse audience of different age groups. I have performed diverse roles ranging from lecturer in the public health department of colleges, nutrition coordinator, research coordinator and consultant, in different programs, projects and academic institutions of Nepal. I also hold immense experience in working closely and persistently with government organizations, non-government organizations, UN agencies, CSOs and other stakeholders at the national and sub-national level. I have successfully led and coordinated different projects involving multi-sector participation and engagement. Moreover, I am also regularly involved in the development of different national health related programs and its guidelines.