With the influenza season approaching, UAE doctors have called on COVID-19 patients to get tested for both Coronavirus and the flu to establish the illness and ensure appropriate diagnosis. Speaking with the media, Dr Fernanda Bonilla, an infectious disease consultant at Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi underlined that both diseases have different signs and symptoms, but PCR tests provide instant results.

Dr Bonilla stated that the similarities between COVID-19 and flu are more than the differences, so it becomes quite difficult to differentiate based only on the symptoms.

“Depending on the medical evaluation by your doctor, they may decide to test you for both at the same time so you would get the answer right away," the doctor added.

She suggested the best way to differentiate is to get tested and consult a doctor in case of positive diagnosis of COVID-19 or flu. As the treatment for both illnesses are different, it is important to start the treatment immediately, she added.

In certain cases, patient may require more than one PCR test to rule out COVID-19, noting that it can a number of days for a blood antibody test to provide positive results. PCR tests have emerged highly successful in detecting Sars-CoV-2. But studies have indicated that the results can be inaccurate if the test is done within three days of exposure. It is

It is highly likely to confirm COVID-19 infection in those who have recently developed symptoms of the disease.

Dr Bonilla advised to take doctor's consultation even when a specialised diagnostic test is conducted by the patient. She urged people who are feeling sick to go to a hospital to receive proper diagnosis and treatment instead of just taking a PCR test and assuming anything.

Reminding the public about the differences and similarities between influenza and COVID-19, she highlighted a patient could be either completely asymptomatic or suffer from severe illness. It is important to note that both COVID-19 and flu are respiratory diseases with symptoms such as a fever and body pain.

"I would say that the lack of taste and smell is more typical to COVID-19 than influenza but other than that all symptoms are very similar," Dr Bonilla said.

She also noted that the number of people suffering from influenza has gone down considerably after stringent compliance with safety precautions implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19.

"Currently, we don’t have much influenza going around and we didn’t have many cases last year. But that doesn’t mean there are no cases, it’s still there and your doctor may get you tested for both flu and Covid-19 depending on your exposure, medical problems and risk factors," she said.

She explained both diseases are transmitted through aerosolised droplets through coughing, sneezing and talking. In this regard, use of face masks and quarantine rules have helped in reducing the transmission of both diseases.

Notably, the US is reporting 20 to 40 million cases of influenza each year, but this year, the number has been in thousands. In the UAE, while the exact number is still unknown, it has reduced exponentially since previous years.

Dr Bonilla called on the people to be cautious of the symptoms and reduce the number of "false alarms" at the hospital.