CONCLUSION

Healthcare communities throughout the world are dealing not only with influenza but the compounding issues of the COVID-19 pandemic as well. There is a significant amount of research data about influenza. However, this is not necessarily the case for COVID-19. COVID-19 research is ongoing and new findings are published on an almost daily basis. Healthcare professionals must be able to differentiate between the two diseases and be prepared to deliver safe and appropriate patient care as well as encourage preventive measures in order to control disease outbreaks.

REFERENCES

NOTE: Complete URLs for references retrieved from online sources are provided in the PDF of this course.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022a). Similarities and differences between flu and COVID-19? https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022b). COVID-19 after vaccination: possible breakthrough infection. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022c). Stay up to date with vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022d). What is the difference between influenza (flu) and COVID-19? https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022e). What you need to know about variants. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022f). SARS-CoV-2 variant classifications and definitions. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022g). Omicron variant. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022h). What you should know about COVID-19 and pets. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022i). Long COVID or post-COVID conditions. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022j). National Center for Health Statistics: Influenza. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022k). Alzheimer’s disease and healthy aging. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022l). People with certain medical conditions. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022m). Interim infection prevention and control recommendations for healthcare personnel during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022n). Interim guidelines for managing healthcare personnel with SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure to SARS-CoV-2. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022o). COVID-19: How to protect yourself and others. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022p). Test for current infection. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022q). COVID-19 testing: what you need to know. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022r). Self-testing at home or anywhere. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022s). COVID-19 treatments and medications. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022t). Influenza (flu) influenza shots. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022u). Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting recommendations. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022v). Influenza (flu) vaccination. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022w). Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022x). Vaccine recommendations and guidelines of the ACIP. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022y). COVID-19 vaccination schedules. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022z). Vaccines and immunizations. Summary of recent changes. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022aa). V-safe after vaccination health checker. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022bb). Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines including boosters. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021a). SARS-CoV-2 transmission. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021b). Influenza: Flu symptoms. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021c). Older unvaccinated adults are more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021d). Influenza (flu): What parents need to know. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021e). Influenza (flu): High risk. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021g). Influenza (flu) healthy habits to prevent flu. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021h). Influenza (flu) questions and answers. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021i). Influenza (flu): What are flu antiviral drugs? https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021j). Pandemic guidance. https://www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021k). Prevention strategies for seasonal influenza in healthcare settings. https://www.cdc.gov

Cleveland Clinic. (2020). What are superspreader events and why should you avoid them? https://health.clevelandclinic.org

Dueck C. (2022). 5 risk factors for COVID-19 breakthrough infections. https://www.cerner.com

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2022). COVID symptoms: Frequently asked questions. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

Maragakis LL. (2022). Coronavirus symptoms: Frequently asked questions. Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

Mayo Clinic. (2022a). COVID-19 vs flu: Similarities and differences. https://www.mayoclinic.org

Mayo Clinic. (2022b). COVID-19 in babies and children. https://www.mayoclinic.org

Mayo Clinic. (2022c). COVID-19 variants: What’s the concern? https://www.mayoclinic.org

Mayo Clinic. (2022d). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://www.mayoclinic.org

Mayo Clinic. (2022e). COVID-19 diagnostic testing. https://www.mayoclinic.org

National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2021). COVID-19 treatment guidelines: Clinical management summary. https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov

New York Presbyterian Medical Groups (NYPMG). (2022). How to tell the difference between COVID-19 and flu. https://www.nyp.org

Rura N. (2021). Vaccine reduces transmission in breakthrough cases. The Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu

University of Texas (UT) MD Anderson Cancer Center. (2021). Breakthrough infections and the COVID-19 variant: What you need to know. https://www.mdanderson.org

World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). COVID-19 advice for the public: Getting vaccinated. https://www.who.int



Ready to take the test?

Click the 'TAKE TEST NOW > ' button below to begin taking the test