Table 1.
Comparison of characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus
| SARS-CoV-2 | Influenza | RSV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viral structure | Single-stranded, positive-sense RNA | Negative-sense, single-stranded RNA with surface glycoproteins integral in determining influenza type | Filamentous enveloped, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA |
| Zoonotic infection | Bats | Avian and swine | Animal models of RSV infections in rodents and nonhumans primates |
| Virulence | Median r0 2.79 | Median r0 1.28 | Median r0 1.2–.2.1 |
| Population at risk |
|
|
|
| Time until postexposure presentation | 3–7 d | 2–5 d | 4–6 d |
| Clinical symptoms |
|
|
|
| Duration of symptoms | Depends on severity of illness | Typically resolves by day 8 | Typically resolves by 3–7 d |
| Complications | Post-COVID syndrome and severe cases can lead to ARDS | Severe cases can lead to ARDS | Severe cases can lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia (especially in pediatric cases) |