Is it Covid or the flu? Here's how to spot the difference...

CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit speaks to Doctor Sibongile Walaza, an Epidemiologist at the Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis.

Listen below:

Is that cough, sneeze, throat and body ache, the flu or Covid?

Walaza says: "Covid is still around but I must mention that it's circulating at very low levels compared to other respiratory viruses".

Walaza explains the difference between the flu and Covid symptoms:

"In terms of the presentation, some symptoms do overlap between influenza and Covid which are fever, cough, fatigue but in terms of how the patient presents... Covid symptoms can be more severe."

- Doctor Sibongile Walaza, Epidemiologist 

"With influenza, the person gets sick quicker from the time of exposure but with Covid, symptoms start off slowly and they can last longer... The most definitive way to differentiate between the two would be to do a test."

- Doctor Sibongile Walaza, Epidemiologist 

"In terms of management for both of them, it's symptomatic management, there's not much of a difference... but what's important is to say with influenza, you have the vaccine to prevent it."

- Doctor Sibongile Walaza, Epidemiologist 

"A certain group of people who are at increased risk... if they have respiratory symptoms should seek professional help from a doctor sooner rather than later... for example; elderly people over 65 years... pregnant women, people with underlying conditions..."

- Doctor Sibongile Walaza, Epidemiologist 

For people who have still not received the flu vaccine, it's still worthwhile to go and get it to protect yourself from the three strains of flu going around, advises Walaza. 

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.