COVID19 and the seasonal flu do share certain similar symptoms. In case of Influenza, symptoms appear quickly and severely within a span of 3 days of being infected by the virus. In case of COVID19 the symptoms appear gradually and therefore it is difficult to detect in its early stages.

Similarities

• The mode of transmission for both the viruses are similar that is through touch and inhalation of droplets containing the virus.
• The symptoms like runny nose, fever, headache, runny nose, etc are also common to both the diseases.

Differences

• The influenza virus has shorter incubation period (the time from infection to appearance of symptoms) whereas the incubation period of the Novel Coronavirus is 3 to 6 days and in some cases 14 to 15 days.
• The influenza virus spreads faster comparatively to COVID19 as children are the main drivers of the infection but in case of COVID19 the demographic that is currently manifesting symptoms are adults and older people. The virulence in children is still under observation.
• In case of Influenza symptoms appear quickly and severely within a span of 3 days of being infected by the virus. In case of COVID19 the symptoms appear gradually and therefore it is easy difficult to detect in its early stages.