Does it seem like getting COVID in Texas is as easy as catching the flu? Here’s why

Many North Texans may be feeling like they’re sneezing or coughing more, just a month into the new year.

It’s not a conspiracy, in fact, these symptoms are common as the calendar rolls from fall into the winter season. However, it might be hard to determine just what is ailing people whether that be the common cold and flu, to COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Currently, the level of influenza activity in Tarrant County is classified as “widespread,” according to the Tarrant County Public Health website. So what is there to do to help those struggling with respiratory issues?

The Star-Telegram spoke with Dr. Kenton Murthy, assistant medical director and deputy local health authority at TCPH. Here’s what we found out:

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What’s causing this increase in respiratory illnesses?

While this is traditionally the season for respiratory illnesses, the increase in the last few years is a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Across the country during the pandemic, people were staying home and alert of their symptoms which slowed the spread, Murthy said. As the world opened back up over the last few years, people have resuming their normal activities with kids going to school and their parents going to work.

Viruses that haven’t seen people in a while are now starting to do what they do best: find a host, replicate and spread to the next host.

This is going to be the story for a little while until things normalize, Murthy said.

“The only differences is now we’ll just have COVID as part of the mix,” Murthy said. “Before it was RSV, the common cold and flu. Now it’s those same three but now COVID.”

Is catching COVID-19 as easy as catching the flu?

It’s not that one’s easier than the other and COVID-19 remains a deadly respiratory virus not to be taken lightly, Murthy said.

For example, most people are contagious with flu and the common cold in the first three to four days when they show symptoms. COVID is similar, except it’s usually the first five days.

But what makes COVID unique is that there’s asymptomatic spread about one to two days prior to showing symptoms, Murthy said. While there’s asymptomatic spread in flu and the common cold, it’s not such a heavy driver in people.

“Asymptomatic spread one to two days prior, that in some studies suggested about a quarter of all transmission rates,” Murthy said. “Which is pretty high relative to the others.”

How do you decipher what kind of respiratory virus you have?

While coming from different virus families, generally the common cold, flu, COVID-19 and RSV all tend to cause the same kind of symptoms.

Common cold

People tend to have milder symptoms that are gradually onset over the course of days, whether that be nasal congestion and runny nose, to cough and soar throat. Symptoms don’t usually get worse than that and people tend to feel better after five to seven days.

Flu and COVID-19

While different viruses, the flu and COVID share similar symptoms.

Both generally cause fever and chills, to runny nose and headaches. However with covid, sometimes symptoms can turn into shortness of breath or chest congestion, Murthy said.

RSV

RSV is mainly seen among the young, elderly or those immune-compromised individuals.

Those symptoms start with runny nose, soar throat and headaches, but can turn into more severe high-grade fever and shortness of breath.

Is there anything you can do to prevent respiratory illness?

Yes, there’s plenty of things people can do:

• Washing hands.

• Staying home if ill.

• Cleaning and sanitizing the household after someone recovers from being sick.

• Getting vaccinated for flu, COVID-19 and RSV.

People can still contract a virus after being vaccinated, but its still one of the most important things to get done, Murthy said.

“If you get your COVID booster or your flu vaccine, if you do catch it, you can rest assured that its going to hopefully be a milder case for you,” Murthy said.