Get influenza vaccine this year doctors urge

[WCCO News, September 09, 2020] Doctors say getting a flu shot specifically this fall has never been more important due to COVID-19.

The viruses have similar symptoms according to the CDC including fever, chills, cough, fatigue, sore throat, muscle pain and body aches. That means if someone has the flu it might lead them to getting a COVID-19 test.

“And if I wind up doing a lot of COVID tests on people who actually have influenza, then I’m diverting COVID tests from what we need them for, our fight against COVID,” said Dr. Frank Rhame, infectious disease expert with Allina Health. He adds that some studies show the probability of death increases if someone contracts both viruses.