Sonoma Valley Hospital will hold a videoconference “Health Talk” on Tuesday, Oct. 13, led by the hospital’s epidemiologist and infection prevention expert to inform what people should know about flu season.
In collaboration with Vintage House, Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, the hospital’s expert, Leah Heinrich, will explain the importance of getting a flu shot and the difference between the flu and COVID-19.
Symptoms of the flu and coronavirus are similar, which makes it difficult to know which a patient has without testing. But experts note that it is the severity of the symptoms that may set the two apart, though some people may have coronavirus and present no symptoms at all. One distinction that some with coronavirus sufferers have that people with the flu don’t report is a change in or loss of taste and smell.
Symptoms from the flu may appear within one to four days of being infected while someone infected with coronavirus may not show symptoms for five days, but symptoms may appear as early as two days after the infection or as late as 14 days.
The Zoom videoconference will take place on Oct. 13 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will include a Q&A session with Heinrich.
To register for the event go to VintageHouse.org/events or call 996-0311. Participants are asked to log in five minutes ahead of the start time.
According to the CDC, symptoms common to both flu and coronavirus include:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle pain or body aches
- Headache
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
About the flu:
Most people with flu are contagious for about one day before they show symptoms.
Older children and adults with flu appear to be most contagious during the initial three to four days of their illness but many remain contagious for about seven days.
Infants and people with weakened immune systems can be contagious for even longer.
Symptoms include:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (tiredness)
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
About coronavirus:
The CDC reports that it is possible for people to spread the virus for about two days before presenting symptoms and may be contagious for at least 10 days after symptoms appear. People who are asymptomatic or experience relief from symptoms may still be contagious for 10 days after testing positive for the disease.
Symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Contact Anne at anne.ernst@sonomanews.com.
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: