With the Omnicon variant spreading rapidly and flu cases starting to rise, people are wondering, do I have a cold, the flu or Covid-19? The viruses that causes all three of these are spread in the same way, through droplets from the nose and mouth of infected people.
As Covid-19 cases climb, we begin to hear of a new threat or at least a new word, Flurona. This is when someone is infected with flu and coronavirus simultaneously.
The time frame varies for when someone with any of the illnesses will start feeling sick. Some people infected with the coronavirus don't experience any symptoms but it is still possible to spread the disease. Even though the flu and COVID are two separate illnesses but they both like to attack the same part of the body.
Cough, fever, tiredness and muscle aches are common in both the flu and COVID-19. Symptoms specific to COVID includes the loss of smell and taste. The common cold however, tends to be milder with symptoms including a stuffy nose and sore throat. Fevers are more common with the flu.
In 2021, the flu did not spread across the states as many were masking and physically distancing and most of the country was in lockdown. Now, health officials across the country say the influenza is waking up in all parts of the country and are concerned as cases surge of both the flu and Covid-19. The flu sent 38 Oklahomans to the hospital between December 26, 2021 and January 1, 2022.
Cases of the Omnicon variant is surging and we again have schools, especially in the Tulsa area, going to distance learning due to the cases rising and the shortness of staff due to the virus. Bristow Schools are holding its own, doing everything possible to continue to keep the students and staff as safe as possible. According to the school's website, between Jan 3 and Jan 7, it is reporting two student cases at Edison Elementary, one staff and two students at Collins Elementary, eight students at the middle school and six students at the high school.
Every year, people end up with the flu in the hospital on a ventilator with viral pneumonia, so it happens with the flu, and we know it happens with Covid-19. This is one more reason to get your flu shot and to get your booster at the same time.
As of Friday, 28,000 positive cases have been reported in Oklahoma.
If you are unsure what virus you might have, the best thing to do is consult your physician and get tested.