Last Update: January 08, 2023, 14:56 IST
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a highly contagious zoonotic disease (Representational image)
Knowing exactly what these conditions are, their similarities, and their differences can help you prepare better.
H1N1 Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory diseases that can wreak havoc when left unchecked. You may think that you have only gone through one pandemic, but you are wrong. In fact, you survived two pandemics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H1N1 influenza was also a pandemic that claimed 1 million to 5 million lives worldwide in 2009. While both respiratory illnesses are caused by different viruses, it is important to note that the two have some similarities. Knowing exactly what these conditions are, their similarities, and their differences can help you prepare better. Read on to know more:
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets and aerosols. In addition, people can also become infected through contact with contaminated surfaces or through asymptomatic spread. Symptoms have a gradual onset. Depending on the variant, people can start showing these 2 to 14 days after coming in contact with an infected person. Treatment plans include supportive care and the FDA-approved antiviral remdesivir. Several vaccines are available for prevention.
What is H1N1 influenza?
This respiratory infection started with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Similar to COVID-19, transmission occurs through respiratory droplets and aerosols as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces and through asymptomatic spread. However, unlike coronavirus Symptoms of pandemic, H1N1 influenza appear suddenly 1 to 4 days after exposure to an infected person. There are also several vaccinations developed as preventive measures. Treatment plans include supportive care and FDA-approved antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir.
how are the two different
H1N1 Influenza is less contagious than COVID-19. While its infection spreads rapidly in case of falling ill, that is, its symptoms start appearing from the first day of coming in contact with the infected person. However, the spread in the number of infected people was not that much. The H1N1 flu saw around 3 lakh people infected in the first year of its onset, while there were around 20 lakh recorded cases of COVID-19 in the same period. Additionally, COVID-19 is more likely to cause serious illness than the 2009 H1N1 influenza. The former has also caused more deaths worldwide.
How are the two similar?
Both viruses present very similar symptoms. These are fever, chills, fatigue, cough, body aches and pains, headache, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and digestive symptoms. People who are 65 years or older or less than 5 years old are more likely to be at risk. Pregnant and people with certain underlying health conditions are also likely to be at risk. In addition, there are general risks of complications which include pneumonia, worsening of underlying health conditions, secondary bacterial infections, as well as respiratory failure. Other complications include kidney or liver injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and sepsis.
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