Early Signs of Influenza vs. COVID-19: How to Know and When to Book a Telehealth Visit

Two weeks into flu season, and my telehealth visits are packed with people asking the same question: "Is this the flu or COVID?"

Fair question. Because honestly? They can look almost identical now.

I've been treating both for years, and even I sometimes can't tell without a test. But there are some patterns that can give you clues.

The Onset Story

Flu usually doesn't mess around. You feel fine Tuesday morning, then by Tuesday evening you're questioning every life choice that led you to this moment.

COVID can be sneakier. Some people get hit hard and fast, others have this slow burn where they feel "off" for a day or two before it gets worse.

One of my patients described COVID as "feeling like I'm getting sick in slow motion." The flu? More like getting hit by a freight train.

Body Aches Tell a Story

Both can give you body aches, but they feel different.

Flu body aches are intense. Like you ran a marathon after getting beaten with a stick. Your muscles hurt just lying in bed.

COVID body aches tend to be more... persistent. Less sharp pain, more like a deep tiredness in your muscles that won't go away.

The Fever Patterns

Flu fevers often spike higher -- 102°F, 103°F, sometimes more. And they tend to respond well to fever reducers, at least temporarily.

COVID fevers are all over the map. Some people never get one. Others have low-grade fevers that just hang around for days. The pattern is less predictable.

Respiratory Symptoms

Here's where it gets tricky, because both can cause cough and congestion now.

Flu cough is usually dry and harsh. COVID cough varies -- sometimes dry, sometimes productive, sometimes barely there.

The bigger difference? COVID is more likely to cause that weird chest tightness or shortness of breath. Not always, but more often than flu.

The Gut Check

Literally. Flu can cause nausea and stomach issues, especially in kids. COVID can too, but it's less common with current variants.

If you're throwing up with fever and body aches, flu is slightly more likely. But only slightly.

When Telehealth Makes Sense

Book a telehealth visit if:

You've got fever with body aches (either one needs evaluation)

You're high-risk and have any respiratory symptoms

You need antiviral medication (works for flu, some COVID treatments available)

You just want to know what you're dealing with

Don't suffer through it wondering. Both flu and COVID have treatments that work better when started early. Know more AI-powered diagnosis

The reality? Without testing, we're all just guessing. But telehealth can help you figure out if you need testing, treatment, or just need to ride it out at home.