General information, not a diagnosis Method and limitations

CompareUseful differences

Compare infectious diseases

The same route of exposure may involve very different agents. Compare the mechanisms and prevention, then consult the original records and sources.

Choose up to four diseases

Agents, Exposures and Prevention

Documentary comparison of 3 diseases; no estimate of individual risk
BenchmarkSeasonal influenzaCOVID-19Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection
AgentInfluenza A and B virusesSARS-CoV-2Respiratory syncytial virus
FamilyVirusVirusVirus
Paths and contextsRespiratory
Respiratory
Respiratory
Close contact
What distinguishes diseaseAcute respiratory infection whose intensity and circulation vary by season and population.Respiratory infection, the forms of which range from absence of symptoms to severe illness, with the possibility of prolonged effects.Frequent respiratory infection may be severe in infants, elderly or fragile people.
PreventionVaccination as recommended, aeration, hand hygiene and limiting contact in case of symptoms.Vaccination according to recommendations, quality indoor air and precautions adapted to the level of circulation.Hand hygiene, limitation of symptomatic contact and immunization when recommended.
DeepeningForm →
WHO — reference
Form →
WHO — reference
Form →
WHO — reference
Diagnosis and monitoringThe diagnosis takes into account the circulation of viruses, the symptoms and, where appropriate, respiratory sampling. In a vulnerable person or with severe signs, consultation and therapeutic decision-making should not be replaced by an isolated self-test.PCR and antigenic tests do not have the same performance. Negative antigenics may require repetition according to the package leaflet and recommendations; they do not guarantee the absence of infection.Clinical assessment is about breathing and hydration. A sample can identify the virus when it is useful, without replacing the child's surveillance.
Preparing for an exchange with a professional
  • Start date and evolution of symptoms
  • Pregnancy, age, chronic diseases and treatments
  • Start date of symptoms and tests
  • Vulnerability factors and treatment
  • Age and possible prematurity
  • Breathing, eating and wet diapers

What this table allows to understand

The selected records cover 1 agent family/families. They share the following routes or contexts in our catalogue: Respiratory. These associations describe the selected data; they do not measure contagiousness, severity or personal risk.

To review a comparison, choose one row and open the reference for each column. A preventive measure mentioned in one record and absent from another is not necessarily unnecessary in the second situation: the summaries and their scope may differ.

If symptoms occurThe table does not select any test or treatment. A fever after a stay in the malaria area should be reported promptly, even if prevention has been taken.
Understanding agent, vector and exposure →

Further reading

These publications help you verify the concepts discussed. Disease records and directory entries each identify their sources.

The content modification date does not mean that every source has undergone a new medical review. Verification method and scope.