Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 17: India has witnessed a decline in active Covid-19 cases, with the count falling from 7,264 to 6,838 over the past 24 hours. Currently, Omicron sub-variants including LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1 are in circulation across the country.

Infected individuals have largely reported mild to moderate upper respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, body aches, and runny nose. While global health experts believe these sub-variants are less likely to cause severe illness, they advise continued caution.

Alongside Covid, India is also experiencing a rise in flu-like cases. Health experts attribute this spike to increased consumption of chilled foods and beverages during the ongoing heatwave, which is contributing to symptoms like cold, cough, and fever.

With both flu and Covid-19 presenting overlapping symptoms, differentiating between the two can be challenging.

Covid vs Flu: Know the difference

• Common symptoms: Fever, cough, headache, body aches, and fatigue are shared by both illnesses.
• Covid-specific symptoms: Loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal issues, and excessive fatigue.
• Incubation period: 1–4 days for flu; 2–14 days for Covid-19.
• Severity: Covid tends to cause more severe illness, especially in older adults and those with comorbidities.
• Prevention: Vaccination, mask usage, hand hygiene, and social distancing help curb both infections.

Health authorities urge individuals with symptoms to stay at home, avoid contact with others, and consult medical professionals for proper diagnosis and treatment. Staying informed and adopting preventive measures remains key to reducing the spread of both Covid-19 and seasonal flu.