GREENSBORO, N.C. — Not only are we still dealing with the coronavirus pandemic but it's also the start of flu season. In today's 2 Your Well-Being, we are breaking down what you need to know about flu and coronavirus.
Dr. Cynthia Snider is Cone Health's infection prevention medical director. She said it's all just speculation right now on how bad this flu season is expected to be in combination with COVID-19. The worst-case scenario is that the number of cases overwhelms our hospital systems, but at the same time everything we are doing to help stop the spread of COVID-19 could also help stop the spread of the flu.
Dr. Snider said you still need to get a flu vaccine and try to get it before the end of October. Anyone over 6 months should get the flu shot and anyone over 65 should get the high dose flu shot. The recommendation is still getting just one flu shot this season.
The challenge this year will be the fact that symptoms for COVID-19 and the flu are very similar. Dr. Snider said don't be alarmed if your doctor tests you for both COVID-19 and the flu if you are feeling sick. Symptoms for both include sore mussels, a fever, and the occasional cough. Many people who test positive have a sore throat at first or feel like they just have allergies. If you feel just a little bit different, call your health care provider are swing by a testing site to see if you have COVID-19.
