How do you tell the difference between COVID-19, flu, cold, and allergy symptoms. What are the key distinguishing factors for each condition. When should you seek medical care for respiratory symptoms.

Understanding the Symptoms: COVID-19 vs. Flu vs. Cold vs. Allergies

With multiple respiratory illnesses circulating, it’s crucial to understand the differences between COVID-19, influenza, the common cold, and allergies. While these conditions may share some symptoms, there are key distinctions that can help you identify the likely cause and determine the appropriate course of action.

COVID-19 Symptoms and Characteristics

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has some distinct features that set it apart from other respiratory illnesses:

• Fever (100.4°F or higher)
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Loss of taste or smell (in some cases)
• Runny nose

Severe cases of COVID-19 may lead to pneumonia, requiring immediate medical attention. The virus primarily spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Is shortness of breath a key indicator of COVID-19. According to Dr. William Curry, associate dean of UAB primary care and rural medicine, shortness of breath is indeed a crucial symptom that distinguishes COVID-19 from influenza.

Influenza: Recognizing the Flu

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection that can cause mild to severe illness. The onset of flu symptoms is typically sudden and may include:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue

It’s important to note that not everyone with the flu will have a fever. Flu symptoms generally last about a week.

How does the flu differ from COVID-19 in terms of symptom onset. While both illnesses can cause similar symptoms, the flu usually comes on suddenly, whereas COVID-19 symptoms may develop more gradually.

Common Cold: Milder Symptoms and Gradual Onset

The common cold is a viral infection that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. Cold symptoms are generally milder than those of the flu or COVID-19 and typically include:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Mild fatigue
• Sneezing

Cold symptoms usually develop gradually and are mainly felt in the head and nose. Unlike the flu or COVID-19, colds rarely cause fever or severe fatigue.

Can you still go about your day with a cold. Generally, if you don’t have a fever and your symptoms are mild, you can continue with your daily activities while taking precautions to avoid spreading the virus to others.

Allergies: Seasonal Discomfort Without Infection

Allergies are often mistaken for colds or flu, but they are not caused by viruses. Instead, they are the body’s immune response to environmental triggers. Common allergy symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy or watery eyes
• No fever

Allergies can occur seasonally or year-round, depending on the specific allergens triggering the response.

Do allergies cause fever. No, allergies typically do not cause fever, which is a key distinguishing factor from viral infections like colds, flu, or COVID-19.

When to Seek Medical Care

Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s essential to know when to seek medical attention for respiratory symptoms. Dr. Molly Fleece, assistant professor of infectious diseases, advises:

1. Call your healthcare provider before visiting in person
2. Utilize telemedicine services when available
3. Seek immediate care for severe symptoms, especially shortness of breath
4. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully

Why is it important to call before visiting a medical facility. Calling ahead allows healthcare providers to prepare for your arrival and minimize the risk of spreading infections to others or exposing yourself to illnesses if you don’t have COVID-19.

Prevention Strategies for Respiratory Illnesses

While each respiratory illness has unique characteristics, there are common prevention strategies that can help protect you from all of them:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable
• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Practice social distancing, particularly during flu season and the COVID-19 pandemic
• Wear a mask in public spaces, especially when social distancing is challenging
• Stay home when you’re feeling unwell to avoid spreading illness to others
• Keep your immune system strong through proper nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep

How effective is hand washing in preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses. Hand washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria, reducing the risk of respiratory infections by up to 21%.

The Role of Vaccination in Disease Prevention

Vaccination plays a crucial role in preventing severe cases of both influenza and COVID-19. While there isn’t a vaccine for the common cold, staying up-to-date with recommended vaccinations can significantly reduce your risk of serious illness from flu and COVID-19.

Flu Vaccines

Annual flu vaccines are recommended for most individuals aged 6 months and older. They are updated each year to protect against the most prevalent strains of influenza viruses.

COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines have been developed and distributed globally to combat the pandemic. These vaccines have shown high efficacy in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.

Should you get both flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Yes, health experts recommend getting both vaccines to provide comprehensive protection against these serious respiratory illnesses.

Maintaining Overall Health and Immune Function

While understanding the differences between these respiratory conditions is important, maintaining overall health and a strong immune system is crucial for preventing and fighting off infections. Here are some key strategies:

• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
• Engage in regular physical activity
• Get adequate sleep (7-9 hours for most adults)
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques, meditation, or hobbies
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption
• Consider taking vitamin supplements, particularly vitamin D, after consulting with your healthcare provider

How does sleep affect your immune system. Quality sleep is essential for a well-functioning immune system. During sleep, your body produces and releases cytokines, proteins that help fight infection and inflammation.

The Importance of Accurate Information and Ongoing Research

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and new variants emerge, staying informed with accurate, up-to-date information is crucial. Rely on reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and local health authorities for the latest guidance on symptoms, prevention strategies, and treatment options.

Ongoing research into COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory illnesses continues to enhance our understanding of these conditions and improve treatment methods. This research may lead to new vaccines, therapies, and prevention strategies in the future.

How can you distinguish between reliable and unreliable health information online. Look for information from established medical institutions, government health agencies, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Be wary of claims that seem too good to be true or contradict widely accepted medical advice.

Adapting to a New Normal: Long-Term Health Strategies

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of personal and public health measures. Many of the strategies implemented to combat the spread of COVID-19 can also help reduce the transmission of other respiratory illnesses. As we move forward, incorporating these practices into our daily lives can contribute to better overall health and reduced risk of infection:

• Normalizing the use of masks during flu seasons or when feeling unwell
• Maintaining good hand hygiene habits
• Being mindful of personal space and avoiding close contact when sick
• Improving indoor air quality through better ventilation and air filtration
• Embracing flexible work arrangements to reduce the spread of illness in workplaces
• Prioritizing mental health and stress management as part of overall well-being

Will some pandemic-era health practices become permanent. Many health experts believe that certain practices, such as increased hand hygiene awareness and the use of masks during illness, may become more common in many societies post-pandemic.

By understanding the differences between COVID-19, flu, colds, and allergies, and by implementing comprehensive health strategies, we can better protect ourselves and our communities from respiratory illnesses. Remember to stay informed, practice good hygiene, and consult with healthcare professionals when needed to maintain optimal health in the face of various respiratory challenges.

Sorting out symptoms of COVID-19, influenza, colds and allergies – News

Hear from UAB experts on the differences of COVID-19, flu, alleriges and colds.

Editor’s Note: The information published in this story is accurate at the time of publication. Always refer to uab.edu/uabunited for UAB’s current guidelines and recommendations relating to COVID-19.

As the COVID-19 pandemic grows, many health care systems across the country are beginning to become overrun with patients experiencing symptoms that are common to many illnesses. To alleviate the pressure on health care workers, here is a guide from the University of Alabama at Birmingham to help you determine whether you have a cold, the flu or allergies or are indeed infected with COVID-19.

COVID-19

Primary symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever
• Runny nose
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Body aches

Severe symptoms include:

• Fever (100. 4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher)
• Pneumonia

Transmission:

COVID-19 is believed to spread from person to person through sneezing or coughing. Respiratory droplets containing the virus can remain on surfaces even after the ill person is no longer near.

“It’s important for us to distinguish the difference between COVID-19 and influenza,” said William Curry, M.D., associate dean UAB primary care and rural medicine. “This will become apparent with shortness of breath.”

“It’s important for us to distinguish the difference between COVID-19 and influenza,” said William Curry, M.D., associate dean UAB primary care and rural medicine. “This will become apparent with shortness of breath.”

Influenza (Flu)

Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

It is important to note that not everyone with the flu will have a fever. Symptoms typically last one week.

Common cold

While both colds and the flu are caused by viruses and typically lead to a stuffy nose, coughing and a sore throat, knowing the difference between cold and flu symptoms, many of which overlap, can make a world of difference when it comes to figuring out the type of infection you may have.

A cold happens gradually and is felt mainly in the head and the nose, usually with more mild symptoms and fatigue. While you may feel crummy, if you do not have a fever, you can still generally continue to go about your day.

However, if you have the flu, symptoms are much more severe than with a cold and have a quick onset.

Allergies

Allergies are often confused with the flu, but there are a few important distinctions to make. Typical allergy symptoms are:

• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Runny or stuffy nose
• No fever

Every season brings with it different allergens, and the most common triggers for spring and fall allergies include pollen from weeds, trees, grasses and mold spores.

Be vigilant

“Knowing the difference in symptoms can help you determine the best route for treatment,” said Molly Fleece, M.D., assistant professor of infectious diseases. “Depending on the type of infection, a physician may be able to prescribe an antiviral drug to help speed up the recovery process by shortening the amount of time that a person is sick and preventing the serious complications that can come with the flu. ”

Fleece says many health care providers are utilizing telemedicine and eMedicine during the coronavirus epidemic to provide patients with appropriate therapies while avoiding unnecessary in-person contact. She says patients should call their medical provider before going to a clinic, doctor’s office or emergency department and should follow their instructions. Do not go to a medical facility without calling first. If you have COVID-19, you run the risk of infecting others and continuing the spread of the disease. If you do not have it, you run the risk of becoming infected yourself.  

For more updates on COVID-19, visit uab.edu/coronavirus.

Cold, Flu or COVID-19? Here’s How to Tell the Difference

You wake up one morning feeling under the weather. While in previous years you may have chalked up a sore throat or body aches to a run-of-the-mill cold or flu, this year’s COVID-19 pandemic adds a new element of concern to getting sick.

“There is significant overlap between symptoms of influenza and COVID,” says Laraine Washer, medical director of infection prevention and epidemiology at Michigan Medicine. “Both can present with fevers, chills, cough, muscle/body aches, fatigue and headache.”

Here, Washer offers advice to follow during this unique cold and flu season.

Is it a cold, the flu or COVID?

Cold symptoms are mild and the common cold tends not to be associated with fever or headache. 

Congestion/runny nose is common for the common cold and would be uncommon to be the only symptom for influenza. Congestion/runny nose can be a symptom of a COVID infection and might be the only symptom in mild cases.

SEE ALSO: Seeking Medical Care During COVID-19

Flu symptoms are often of rapid onset. COVID symptoms can be of rapid or more gradual onset. 

Says Washer, one symptom that is more unique to a COVID infection is the loss of taste or smell. 

Should I get a test?

Washer says that in many settings, the only way to tell the difference between COVID and influenza is by testing. “The differentiation can be very important as there are isolation requirements to prevent transmission of COVID and antivirals that can be used for influenza,” she explains.

If you have fever/chills, new cough or new shortness of breath, you should stay home and arrange to be tested for COVID.

If you have two or more of the following symptoms: 

• headache,

• new muscle aches,

• new upper respiratory symptoms (congestions, runny nose, sore throat),

• new loss of taste or smell, new nausea/vomiting/diarrhea,

• or new rash,

you should consider COVID testing.  If you have had a known close contact exposure to someone with COVID, you should be tested even if you have one mild symptom.  If you are a Michigan Medicine patient, you can call the COVID hotline (734-763-6336). There is a low threshold for COVID testing given risk of transmission to others.  Once influenza season begins, your doctor may also wish to test you for flu.

Should I call the doctor?

If you have any chronic medical conditions or are over the age of 65, you are at higher risk of getting a severe COVID infection and should call your doctor. Call your doctor for a fever that does not go down with fever reducing medicine (do not use aspirin as it is contraindicated in influenza) or any severe symptoms or symptoms that get worse over time.

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Should I go to the emergency room?

Go the emergency department if you have chest pain or pressure, confusion, difficulty breathing or blue discoloration to your lips or face.

Some good news is that social distancing and wearing masks may mean a milder flu season. “Flu and other respiratory illnesses were reduced in the Southern Hemisphere, whose flu season typically stretches from May to November,” says Washer.

Getting a flu shot this year is particularly important to reduce the potential for a twin pandemic of influenza and COVID, which could further overwhelm the healthcare system.

Adds Dr. Washer, “Continue to social distance, avoid large gatherings and wear your mask! And get and use a thermometer.”

SEE ALSO: Keeping Our Patients Safe During COVID-19

When to Call Your Doctor- Flu, Fever, and Coughing | Beaumont

Getting sick seems inevitable. For some people, colds and coughs are a standard part of life. For most people, a cold or the flu will pass quickly without any serious complications. But how do you know when it’s time to call your doctor if you have the flu, a fever, or a cough?

The flu

The medical word for the flu is influenza. Each year, multiple strains of influenza circulate and make people sick. Most people recover fully in one to two weeks, but many people get seriously ill and need to be hospitalized – estimates are about 200,000 people stay in the hospital every year to treat influenza. Tens of thousands of US citizens die each year from the flu and its complications. 

Normal flu symptoms

Normal flu symptoms typically come on quickly. You may be feeling fine, then suddenly, you feel awful. Your symptoms may include:

• High fever
• Body aches
• Fatigue or feeling tired
• Sore throat
• Dry cough
• Nasal congestion
• Headache

Should I call the doctor if I think I have the flu?

If you have flu symptoms, the best time to contact your primary care doctor is within the first two days of symptoms. This is because you may be able to take an antiviral medication to help reduce your symptoms and decrease the number of days you’ll feel sick. Those medications need to be started within 48 hours of the onset of your symptoms to be most effective. 

If you are at high risk for complications of the flu, it’s always a good idea to call your doctor as soon as you think you might have the flu. Tell the office you have flu symptoms and are at high risk, and they may get you in for a visit, prescribe an antiviral medication, or refer you to an urgent care center to be seen.

• You should always call the doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms.
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing up thick, green or yellow phlegm
  • A fever higher than 100.4 degrees F
• Seek emergency care if you are:
  • Having difficulty breathing
  • Choking
  • Having difficulty swallowing
  • Coughing up blood or pink phlegm 

How to treat the flu at home

If you get the flu, you should stay home and rest. You should also stay away from others while you’re contagious so you don’t spread the flu to them. To treat symptoms, try the following:

• Drink plenty of clear liquids, like water, Gatorade, tea, or broth. 
• Get lots of rest. Don’t feel bad if you sleep for much of the day and night. It’s a good way to help your body recover.
• Take over-the-counter medications for body aches, headache, or fever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin).
• If you have congestion, consider taking decongestants or antihistamines.
• Use cough drops or a cough suppressant if you have a bothersome cough.

Fever

A fever is a body temperature over 100.4 degrees F. It’s a way for the body to fight off viruses and bacteria that invade it. Fevers also stimulate the body’s inflammatory response, and this response starts working to protect affected areas and prevent the spread of invading viruses and bacteria so the body can begin healing.

While fevers are the body’s natural response to illness, they still may need to be treated. Here are some guidelines for fever care and when to seek medical treatment.

• If an adult’s temperature is above 102, he or she should call the doctor.
• Go to the emergency room if fever is accompanied by:
  • Seizures
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty waking up
• If a child’s temperature is 104 or above, take him or her to the emergency room right away.
• If an adult’s temperature is between 100. 4 and 103 F, consider going to urgent care. If you have a fever with the following symptoms, seek care right away:
  • Rash
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting

If you have any fever for more than a couple days, even a low-grade temperature, call your doctor. 

How to treat a fever at home

• Take fever reducing medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. (Please note: You shouldn’t ever give a child aspirin.)
• Drink lots of fluids or eat popsicles.
• Take a lukewarm bath.
• Place a cold washcloth on the forehead.
• Rest.

Cough

Coughing is a frequent symptom of people who have a cold or the flu. Most coughs will go improve after a week or so and won’t cause any long-term effects. However, a cough can sometimes be a sign of a serious illness, like pneumonia. 

If your cough lasts more than ten days, call your doctor. It’s also important to seek medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms along with a cough:

• Coughing up thick mucus that is green, yellow, pink, or bloody
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• A fever of more than 100 degrees F
• A cough that makes it difficult to talk 
• Chest pain

There are some home care remedies that can help ease your cough and dry throat. If you have a cough, try:

• Using cough drops
• Putting honey in tea or eat a spoonful of honey by itself (do not give honey to children under one year of age)
• Taking a steamy shower or using a vaporizer to add moisture to the air
• Drinking lots of fluids, especially warm, clear fluids like broth or tea

If you have a cough, don’t smoke and stay away from people who smoke.

Flu, Cold or Allergies? Know the Symptoms

Connect Healthy Tips Flu, Cold or Allergies? Know the Symptoms

The season for sniffles is in full swing. But, before you run to the store and buy medicine to treat a cold, make sure you know the cause of your symptoms. Differentiating between a flu, cold or allergies can be difficult because they have similar symptoms.

Seasonal Flu Symptoms

The flu usually begins quickly. The first symptoms are a fever between 102 and 106°F. (An adult usually has a lower fever than a child.)

Other common symptoms include:

• Body aches
• Chills
• Dizziness
• Flushed face
• Headache
• Lack of energy
• Nausea and vomiting
• Extreme fatigue, exhaustion and weakness
• Chest discomfort and cough

Between day 2 and day 4 of the illness, the fever and “whole body” symptoms begin to fade.

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Then breathing symptoms begin to increase. The symptom is usually not a dry cough. Most people also develop a sore throat and headache. Runny nose and sneezing are common. It is a clear, watery nasal discharge.

These symptoms (except the cough) usually go away in 4 – 7 days. Sometimes, the fever returns. The cough and feeling tired may last for weeks. Some people may not feel like eating.

The flu can make asthma, breathing problems, and other long-term illnesses worse.

The Common Cold Symptoms

The common cold is the most common upper respiratory tract infection. More than 200 different viruses can cause colds. Symptoms usually develop 1 – 3 days after being exposed to the virus.

• It nearly always starts rapidly with throat irritation and stuffiness in the nose.
• Within hours, full-blown cold symptoms usually develop, which can include sneezing, mild sore throat, fever, minor headaches, muscle aches, and coughing.
• Fever is low-grade or absent. In small children, however, fever may be as high as 103 °F for 1 or 2 days. The fever should go down after that time, and be back to normal by the 5th day.
• Nasal discharge is usually clear and runny the first 1 – 3 days. It then thickens and becomes yellow to greenish.
• The sore throat is usually mild and lasts only about a day. A runny nose usually lasts 2 – 7 days, although coughing and nasal discharge can persist for more than 2 weeks.

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Allergy Symptoms

The following are just a few allergy symptoms you could experience.

• No fever
• Breathing problems
• Burning, tearing or itchy eyes
• Conjunctivitis (red, swollen eyes)
• Coughing
• Headache
• Itching of the nose, mouth, throat, skin or any other area
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Wheezing

If you think that you are suffering from allergies, a cold or flu, then make an appointment to see your doctor. If you need a doctor, let us help you find one. Your physician may perform allergy tests and prescribe medications to help you deal with your symptoms. People who become very sick with the flu may want to see a health care provider. People who are at high risk for flu complications may also want to see a doctor if they get the flu.

Influenza (the Flu): Signs, Symptoms, and Complications

Flu symptoms can vary from person to person, but most people with influenza will experience some degree of fever, chills, headaches, body aches, congestion, coughing, and fatigue.

While the symptoms are similar to a cold or upper respiratory tract infection, the main difference is that flu symptoms hit you quickly. With the flu, you typically go from feeling fine to miserable in a matter of hours.

If you think you might have the flu, contact your healthcare provider to determine the best course of action and treatment for you. Anti-viral medications taken in the first 48 hours after symptom onset can reduce the severity and duration of flu symptoms.

Frequent Symptoms

Flu symptoms come on quickly and typically last a week or two, though sometimes symptoms can linger mildly for a bit before you feel back to normal. Common symptoms include the following.

 Verywell / Jessica Olah

Fever and Chills

Fever is almost always present with the flu, and it usually comes on suddenly. When you have a high fever, you’re also likely to experience chills because the higher your body temperature, the colder the air feels.

A fever is the body’s defense against the flu virus. Viruses thrive at a normal body temperature of 98.6 degrees F, and while uncomfortable, running a fever helps your body fight off the flu. Whether or not to treat the fever depends on how high the temperature is and the person’s age. 

A low-grade fever (98.7 to 100.4 degrees F) is typically not a concern for adults or most children. It may be best to let a mild fever run its course. However, if you are very uncomfortable or the fever reaches 102 degrees F, bringing the fever down slightly is advised. Use these tactics:

• Consider appropriate fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen (over the age of 6 months), or aspirin (in adults only)
• Try a lukewarm bath or sponge bath.
• Avoid bundling up, as this can increase your body temperature.

A rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees F in babies 3-month-old and younger or 102.2 degrees F in children under a year warrants a call to your doctor.

In children over a year old and adults, a temperature above 105 degrees F is cause for concern. A very high fever (over 107.6 degrees F) can lead to brain damage and is considered a medical emergency.

Exhaustion

One of the most significant symptoms that people describe when they get the flu is pure exhaustion. This is generally an overall feeling of being completely worn out.

You probably will be unable to perform daily activities, and fatigue is often so severe that it is hard to just get out of bed. This exhaustion is much more pronounced than the tiredness you may feel from a cold.

Aches and Pains

Feeling “achy” is how many people with the flu describe their state. Your muscles are usually very sore, and moving around too much causes discomfort. Body aches and pains are more common with the flu than with many other illnesses.

Coughing

Coughing may be productive (producing mucus) or non-productive. With the flu, people most often have a dry cough.

If you develop a productive cough with fever, contact your doctor. This is especially true if you have had a dry cough, start to feel better, then have a wet or productive cough with a fever. This is often how a secondary infection, like pneumonia, develops.

Headache

Headaches are common with the flu and can be quite severe, compounding your level of discomfort. Taking an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help.

Congestion

Severe congestion is more common when you have a cold, but many people will experience some congestion with the flu as well. It is typically mild.

Rare Symptoms

Vomiting and diarrhea are not common flu symptoms for most people, but some do experience them. Children are more likely to have vomiting and diarrhea with influenza than adults.

If vomiting and diarrhea are your primary and most significant symptoms, you probably have a stomach bug (sometimes referred to as the stomach flu, though it is not influenza) instead.

Complications

For most people, flu symptoms resolve in one to two weeks. Complications are typically mild, such as sinus or ear infections. The flu can, however, be serious and life-threatening. In fact, there are 12,000 to 61,000 deaths from influenza in the United States each year.

Serious complications of the flu can include: 

• Pneumonia
• Myocarditis, inflammation of the heart
• Encephalitis, swelling of the brain
• Multi-organ failure
• Sepsis
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions

High-Risk Groups

Those at higher risk of complications from the flu include:

• Adults ages 65 and older
• People who are pregnant
• Children under the age of 5
• People with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease
• Those who are immunocompromised

When to See a Doctor

If, based on the symptoms, you believe you may have the flu, call your doctor right away. Antiviral medications such as Tamiflu can lessen the severity and duration of the flu if started within the first 48 hours of symptom onset.

Your doctor may want you to come in to confirm the influenza virus with a rapid in-office test or may prescribe an antiviral solely based on your symptoms and flu activity in your area.

You should also contact your doctor if symptoms continue to worsen after a week, or you develop a fever or productive cough after you have started to feel better. This could indicate a secondary infection, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Other symptoms that require a call to your doctor include severe muscle pain, weakness, or unsteadiness, and any worsening of chronic medical conditions.

When to Call 911

The flu can quickly take a turn for the worse and may require emergency care. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention as they may be a sign of serious or life-threatening complications:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse
• Seizures
• No urination
• A fever above 105 degrees F that does not respond to medication

In children, seek immediate medical attention for these symptoms:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish lips or face
• Ribs pulling in with each breath
• Chest pain
• Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)
• Dehydration (no urine for eight hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)
• Not alert or interacting when awake
• Seizures
• A high fever (above 100.3 in infants under 12 weeks of age, above 102.2 degrees F in children under a year, or above 104 degrees F under the age of 12) that does not respond to medication

Colds and the Flu: Tips for Feeling Better

Please note: This information was current at the time of publication. But medical information is always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit familydoctor.org, the AAFP patient education website.

Information from Your Family Doctor

Am Fam Physician. 2006 Oct 1;74(7):1179-1180.

How can I tell if I have a cold or the flu?

Colds and the flu cause many of the same symptoms. But colds are usually mild, while the flu tends to be more severe.

A cold often starts with feeling tired, sneezing, coughing, and having a runny nose. You may not have a fever, or you may run a low fever—just 1 or 2 degrees higher than usual. You may have muscle aches, a scratchy or sore throat, watery eyes, and a headache.

The flu starts suddenly and hits hard. You will probably feel weak and tired and have a fever, dry cough, a runny nose, chills, muscle aches, a bad headache, eye pain, and a sore throat. It usually takes longer to get over the flu than a cold.

What causes colds and the flu?

More than 100 different viruses can cause colds. There aren’t as many viruses that cause the flu. That’s why there is a shot for the flu and not for colds. To keep from getting the flu, all children between six months and five years of age, adults older than 50 years, and people with asthma or lung problems should get a flu shot every October or November.

What can I do to feel better?

There is no cure for a cold or the flu. Antibiotics don’t work against viruses. Unless you have the flu and see your doctor within two days after your symptoms start, all you can do to feel better is treat your symptoms while your body fights off the virus. You can also use over-the-counter cold medicines to help you feel better. Do not give children cold medicine without checking with your doctor first. People who take prescription medicine also should check with their doctor before taking over-the-counter cold medicine.

Ways to treat your cold and flu symptoms

• Stay home and rest, especially while you have a fever.

• Stop smoking, and avoid secondhand smoke.

• Drink plenty of fluids like water, fruit juices, and clear soups.

• Do not drink alcohol.

• Gargle with warm salt water a few times a day if you have a sore throat. Throat sprays or lozenges may also help with the pain.

• Use a nose spray to help loosen mucus and moisten the skin in your nose.

Should I call my doctor?

Most people do not need to see a doctor when they have a cold or the flu. But if you have any of the symptoms in the box below, call your doctor.

Emergency cold and flu symptoms

In children:

• Fever above 102°F (38.9°C) or a fever that lasts a long time

• A cold that lasts for more than 10 days

• Trouble breathing, fast breathing, or wheezing

• Bluish skin

• Not drinking enough fluids

• Earache or drainage from the ear

• Mental changes (such as trouble waking up, irritability, or seizures)

• Flu-like symptoms that get better but come back later with a fever and a worse cough

• Chronic medical problems (such as diabetes or heart disease) that get worse

In adults:

• Fever above 102°F (38.9°C) or a fever that lasts a long time

• A cold that lasts for more than 10 days

• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the chest

• Fainting or feeling like you are about to faint

• Confusion

• Severe vomiting

• Very bad pain in your face or forehead

• Hoarseness, sore throat, or a cough that won’t go away

Cold vs. Flu vs. COVID-19

Information about the symptoms of COVID-19 coronavirus are prevalent in the tradition and social media, so it’s important to look at the differences between the COVID-19, flu, and common cold.

Flu season is still in full force, affecting millions of Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that flu activity is high and is expected to continue for several more weeks.

The common cold, flu, and coronavirus are all infectious viruses that affect the respiratory tract. All three are spread person-to-person and through direct contact with droplets either in the air or from hard surfaces. Rarely does the common cold have serious complications; however, the flu and coronavirus can.

How the body is affected

The seasonal flu is highly contagious and is caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and, at times, the lungs. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can affect people differently. Fortunately, we have a seasonal flu vaccine which is the best way to protect against the flu. For those who receive the flu vaccine and get the flu, symptoms tend to be less severe for shorter periods of time compared to those who choose not to receive the vaccine.

Recently, a new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, was identified and has resulted in the current pandemic. There are actually many types of coronaviruses that cause a variety of illnesses from the common cold to other severe diseases that you may have heard of such as MERS and SARS. COVID-19 is a contagious virus that mainly infects the lungs. While some people have only minor symptoms, others may develop pneumonia or severe lung damage. It’s important to note that the flu also can also lead to viral pneumonia.

According to the CDC’s risk assessment for COVID-19, those at a higher-risk include:

• People in communities where ongoing community spread of coronavirus has been reported
• Healthcare workers caring for patients with coronavirus
• Those with close contact to a person with coronavirus
• Travelers returning from affected international locations with community spread

Differences in onset and symptoms

Common cold symptoms have a gradual or slow onset and generally include: runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat. Less common symptoms include: low-grade fever, and headache, fatigue, and muscle aches.

Flu Symptoms appear abruptly to include: fever/chills, dry cough, fatigue, headaches, muscle or body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat. Less common symptoms include: vomiting and diarrhea

Coronavirus COVID-19, on the other hand, can have a longer window between exposure and showing symptoms compared to the flu and common cold, which is currently thought to be anywhere from 2- 14 days. Symptoms may have a gradual onset and then suddenly escalate in severity.

The CDC reports that COVID-19 coronavirus symptoms appear suddenly and mostly affect the respiratory tract to include: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath. Complications of the coronavirus can be life-threatening symptoms such as pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and death.

Symptom Comparison for Cold, Flu, and COVID-19

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately.

Emergency warning signs include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

For more information, please visit:

90,000 signs, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Influenza is a severe viral infection that affects men, women and children of all ages and nationalities. Flu epidemics occur every year, usually during the colder months of the year. In terms of the number of cases in the world, influenza and ARVI rank first, the share in the structure of infectious diseases reaches 95%.

Influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, gradually undermining health, reduce the average life expectancy of a person by several years.In a severe course of influenza, irreversible damage to the cardiovascular system, respiratory organs, central nervous system often occurs, provoking diseases of the heart and blood vessels, pneumonia, tracheobronchitis, meningoencephalitis.

The greatest victims of influenza collect among the elderly population groups suffering from chronic diseases.

The flu virus is very easily transmitted:

• The most common route of transmission is airborne droplets.
• A household transmission route is also possible, for example, through household items.

When coughing, sneezing, talking from the nasopharynx of a patient or a virus carrier, particles of saliva, mucus, sputum with pathogenic microflora, including influenza viruses, are thrown out. An infected area with a maximum concentration of aerosol particles is formed around the patient. Their dispersion range usually does not exceed 2 – 3 m.

What is ARVI? What is the difference from the flu?

The term “acute respiratory disease” (ARI) or “acute respiratory viral infection” (ARVI) covers a large number of diseases, in many ways similar to each other.Their main similarity lies in the transmission path (they enter the body together with the inhaled air through the mouth and nasopharynx) and in the set of symptoms:

• The patient has a fever, sore throat, cough, chills, muscle pain and headache for several days.
• The most common symptom of respiratory illness is a runny nose; it is caused by a number of related viruses known as rhinoviruses.

Upon recovery, all these symptoms disappear and do not leave any traces behind.

Basically, pathogens of acute respiratory infections are transmitted from person to person through the cough or sneezing of the patient. Anyone who comes into close contact (approximately 1 meter) with another person with ARVI symptoms is at risk of exposure to potentially infectious inhaled droplets. Viruses can enter the body (eyes, nose or mouth) through the hands when they come into contact with an infected surface.

Good personal hygiene can help prevent the spread of respiratory pathogens.

Differences between coronavirus COVID-19, colds and flu

As you know, the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 is transmitted mainly by airborne droplets.She is characterized by the presence of clinical symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections (you can find a detailed educational program from Sevzdrav at the link – https://sevdz.ru/mednavigator/profilaktika/koronavirus/).

Important! COVID-19 is sometimes asymptomatic, but this does not make the carrier of the virus less infectious. Especially in such cases, people with chronic diseases suffer.

Visual infographics from Rospotrebnadzor:

Basic recommendations for the prevention of influenza and ARVI for the population

Prevention measures are especially important to observe now – during a pandemic of a new coronavirus infection.

The self-isolation regime has been canceled, but the pandemic has not disappeared anywhere! We all need to think about our health and the health of the people around us.

• Avoid close contact with people who seem unhealthy, exhibit fever (fever) and cough.
• Avoid crowded places or shorten time spent in crowded places.
• Avoid touching your mouth and nose.
• Observe hand hyena – wash your hands more often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially if you touch your mouth or nose.
• Increase the flow of fresh air into living quarters, open windows as often as possible.
• Use masks when in contact with a sick person.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including adequate sleep, eating “healthy” foods, and being physically active.

Preventive immunization of the population (vaccination) is the best prevention of influenza. In turn, the main danger of refusing to vaccinate is the possibility of getting the flu through contact with a sick person.In addition, a person who has not been vaccinated is potentially dangerous to others, as he is a likely carrier of an infectious disease.

In detail: why vaccination is needed and where to get a flu shot in Sevastopol.

Recommendations for persons with ARVI symptoms

• If you feel unwell, stay at home and follow the doctor’s recommendations, if possible, keep at a distance from healthy people (1 meter).
• Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a handkerchief or other suitable material. Dispose of this material immediately after use or wash it. Wash your hands immediately after contact with respiratory secretions!
• A mask must be worn if you are in the common area of ​​the house near other people.
• Tell your family and friends about the illness.

Important! Medical masks

Recommendations for the use of protective medical masks:

• The wearing of medical masks is mandatory for those who have close contact with a sick patient.
• Carefully wear the mask so that it covers your mouth and nose, and tie it tightly so that there are as few gaps between the face and the mask as possible.
• When using the mask, be careful not to touch it.
• When touching a used mask, for example when removing it, wash your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Replace the used mask with a new clean, dry mask as soon as the used mask becomes damp (damp).
• Do not reuse disposable masks.
• Throw away disposable masks after each use and dispose of them immediately after removal.

Recommendations for patient care at home

• Isolate the patient from others, at least 1 meter away from others.
• Cover your mouth and nose when treating patients with masks.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after each contact with a sick person. Allocate separate towels for each family member.
• No other visitors other than the caregiver should visit the patient.
• Whenever possible, only one adult should be in the home to care for the sick.
• Avoid being cared for by a pregnant woman.
• Ventilate the patient’s room at all times.
• Keep the area clean using detergents.

Advice for parents of sick children

• Seek medical attention if your child is ill.
• Leave the sick child at home unless he or she needs medical attention.
• Give your child plenty of fluids (juice, water).
• Create a comfortable environment for your child, peace is essential.
• If your child has a fever, sore throat, and body aches, you can give him antipyretic medications that the doctor prescribes for the age of the patient.
• Keep tissues and waste basket within reach of the patient.
• Teach children to wash their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Parents should also follow this procedure, which will serve as a good example for the children.
• Teach children to cough and sneeze into a tissue or hand.Parents should also follow this procedure, which will serve as a good example for the children.
• Teach children not to come closer than one and a half to two meters to sick people.
• Children who are ill should stay at home (not attending preschools and schools) and keep their distance from other people until their condition improves.
• Refrain from frequent visits to crowded places.
• If your child has had contact with someone with the flu, ask your doctor for antiviral medication to prevent illness.

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90,000 Six forms of coronavirus have been identified in terms of severity and symptoms – Rossiyskaya Gazeta

Scientists at King’s College London have identified six different clusters, or types of COVID-19. According to Sky News, they differ in symptoms and severity of the disease.

The first type is “flu-like” without fever.It has a headache, loss of smell, muscle pain, cough, sore throat, chest pain.

The second – “flu-like” with fever – to the symptoms of the first type is added hoarseness, loss of appetite and fever – a rise in temperature.

The third type is the gastrointestinal tract. Patients complain of headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, sore throat, chest pain, fever. In this case, there is no cough, but diarrhea occurs.

The next three types are marked as heavy and are divided into three levels.

Symptoms such as fatigue, headache, loss of smell, cough, fever, hoarseness, chest pain are named for severe first-degree levels. Second degree – headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain. Confusion and muscle pain are added to the overwhelming fatigue. Finally, the third severe level combines all these symptoms – headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, abdominal pain.Thus, confusion and abdominal pain are signs of its most severe forms.

Scientists came to such conclusions after scrupulously examining data on the symptoms of 1600 patients in the USA and Great Britain. They collected information using the COVID Symptom Study mobile application, which was created specifically to study the symptoms of the disease.

Based on the data obtained, the study participants were divided into six groups – according to the severity of the disease.

Such an analysis by the presence of symptoms will make it possible to predict how difficult the disease will be in any given case.According to co-author of the study, Dr.Clera Stevens, if in the first five days it is determined which category the patient belongs to, then you can act proactively and prevent the development of severe complications. This grading will help guide treatment decisions during a potential second wave of coronavirus.

So, patients of the first or third type of COVID-19 disease needed respiratory support only in 1.5-4.4 percent of cases.

In the fourth form, ventilators were needed in 8.6 percent of cases, in the fifth form – every tenth patient.

In the sixth, most severe form, more than 50 percent of patients require hospitalization. Respiratory support was required for almost 20 percent of patients. It is noted that these are, as a rule, people of the older age category, or weakened and with concomitant diseases.

Ufa infectious disease specialist told what you need to know about the treatment of influenza, SARS and coronavirus

What you need to know about the treatment of influenza, SARS and coronavirus? The most important questions about the upcoming season of diseases are answered by the doctor of the Republican Infectious Disease Clinical Hospital Tatyana Georgievna Mayorova.

How to distinguish flu, cold and coronavirus?

The symptoms of influenza, coronavirus and ARVI are really very similar, therefore, errors are possible when making a diagnosis. But each of these diseases has its own characteristics.

Influenza is most common in autumn and winter. It starts suddenly – the temperature rises sharply, chills, body aches, headache, photophobia, pain and “scratching” in the throat, hoarseness, rough harsh cough begin.

Acute respiratory viral infections occur throughout the year.There are several types of them. Parainfluenza – gradual onset, low temperature, sore throat, hoarseness, “barking” cough. Rhinovirus infection – acute onset, nasal congestion, difficulty in nasal breathing, decreased sense of smell and taste, low temperature. Adenovirus infection – acute onset, high or moderate temperature, sore throat, possible raids in the throat, wet cough, conjunctivitis. Respiratory syncytial infection – dry paroxysmal obsessive cough. These are the most common infections, and many more are known.And each requires its own treatment.

Coronavirus infection COVID-19 – low body temperature, dry cough with little sputum, shortness of breath, fatigue, feeling of congestion in the chest, loss of smell and taste, sore throat to a lesser extent. The most severe shortness of breath develops by 6-8 days of illness. In any case, at the first symptoms of the disease, you must contact either a therapist or a pediatrician! And in no case go to work, do not take your child to kindergarten or school.At least until a clinical diagnosis is established. Firstly, carrying the disease on your feet is doubly dangerous for the body, and secondly, this way you will not infect colleagues at work.

Is it true that a person can get the flu only if they have symptoms?

No, that’s not true. A sick person begins to secrete influenza viruses on the last day of incubation, that is, even before the first signs of the disease appear.

What to do if someone in the family gets sick?

The ideal option is to isolate a person in a separate room, allocate individual dishes, towels.Be sure to ventilate the room and carry out wet cleaning. If there is a suspicion of a new coronavirus infection, then the whole family must be in self-isolation for 14 days.

Which tablets are the best to drink for treatment?

On the Internet you can find “recipes for the treatment” of coronavirus and influenza. But you cannot use them – in each case, the drugs and their dosage are individual. If you start drinking the wrong pills in the wrong doses, you will only make yourself and your loved ones worse.This is especially dangerous for children and the elderly.

Only a doctor can and should prescribe a treatment regimen!

The only thing: at a temperature you can drink antipyretic. In the early days of the disease, it is advisable not to lower the temperature to 38 degrees, since the body produces its own anti-inflammatory cells to suppress the infection. There are exceptions – if there were convulsions, then it is necessary to lower the temperature after 37.3 degrees. But liquids can and should be drunk as much as necessary.I recommend a warm drink with a lot of vitamins, especially C and P: it is better to drink compote, green tea, rosehip infusion, fruit drinks. A lot of liquid to reduce intoxication, for the proper functioning of vital organs, moreover, in case of illness, especially at high temperatures, a person “loses” fluid with sweat, breathing. And of course, be sure to stay in bed.

Is it true that for prevention you need to eat onions, garlic and ginger?

Onions and garlic are traditional medicines.When added to food in small portions, they can be anti-inflammatory and help fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Ginger has a tonic effect. It contains substances that are useful for the immune system, so the spice is more often used in the season of colds and flu. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of ginger help get rid of pathogenic microflora and parasites. But these are all preventive measures and full-fledged treatment they will not replace.

What should be done in order not to get sick?

People who care about their immunity and health are the least infected with infections – those who temper, lead a healthy lifestyle, go in for sports, eat healthy food, and walk a lot in the fresh air.During epidemics, avoid crowded places – large events, shopping centers. In shops and public transport, observe the mask regime, change the mask every two hours. Be sure to wash your hands several times a day (especially after outside and before eating), use a disinfectant. As well as. if you don’t want to get the flu, it’s best to get vaccinated.

Is it too late to get the flu shot?

On the contrary, now is the time. The flu vaccine helps the immune system make antibodies to attack the flu virus.Two weeks after the injection, you will begin to develop immunity, in a month it will work in full force and will last up to a year. That is why the vaccination is recommended to be done annually and no later than the beginning of November.

Why are people over 65 at risk and need to stay at home?

Persons over 65 are more likely to have chronic diseases: cardiovascular, bronchopulmonary, endocrine, kidney diseases, including cancer, which can complicate the course of influenza and other viral infections.Because of this, severe infections, complications, especially severe pneumonia, often occur. Therefore, during epidemics, and especially pandemics, it is better for them to observe the self-isolation regime as much as possible.

Who is eligible for the free vaccination?

– Children from 6 months

– Schoolchildren, students of colleges and universities

– Employees of medical and educational organizations, transport, utilities

– Pregnant women

– People over 60 years old

– Conscripts

– Persons with chronic diseases, including lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders and obesity.

You need to contact your local polyclinic.

90,000 HOW TO DEFEAT ARD AND FLU

With the onset of autumn, people are frightened not by a cold snap, but by epidemics

The head of the department of general practitioners Safronova Nadezhda Alexandrovna spoke about how to quickly and safely cope with the disease.

– Fever, general malaise, discomfort in the throat

How to understand if it is ARVI or flu?

ARVI is an acute respiratory disease.The causative agents of acute respiratory infections can be a wide variety of viruses, including the influenza virus. During the absence of epidemics, the influenza virus among the causative agents of acute respiratory infections takes only about 5%, and the disease itself at this time may not be so pronounced. Another thing is the period of epidemics, then the danger of influenza increases significantly! Particular danger in terms of the development of complications are at risk groups – children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with chronic respiratory diseases, with weakened immunity ..

SARS usually “unfolds” gradually.The disease begins with chills, runny nose, sore throat, porridge. At the first stage of the disease, only one of the symptoms may appear, and the rest will make themselves felt in the next two to three days. The body temperature with ARVI rises to 38 degrees and lasts about 2-4 days. After its decrease, the disease begins to recede and, as a rule, already after a week the person returns to normal life .. If the symptoms persist, then we are dealing with complications.

Influenza viruses can incapacitate a person in just a matter of hours.Even in the morning you felt good, and by noon the temperature is 39 degrees and above. Chills, weakness, aches in the whole body, headaches. At the same time, it is not easy to bring down the temperature and it lasts up to five days. Other flu symptoms are sore throat, persistent dry cough, congestion in the chest. If a person has encountered the influenza virus, then even after the end of its acute stage, he may feel weakness. Indisposition for 2-3 weeks .. With the flu, you always need to call a doctor at home, not go anywhere, this is fraught with complications, and creates an unfavorable epidemiological environment.

Can a vaccine protect against influenza?

It is possible and necessary. It is done once a year, at the beginning of each cold season. October is the most suitable month for this. So hurry up to protect yourself and your entire family from influenza

Will taking antiviral drugs help me cope with my illness?

It has recently become fashionable among the population to take antiviral drugs, for example, “Arbidol”, “Relenza” or “Tamiflu”, etc.For some reason, people believe that they help from everything at once – and treat the flu and all other acute respiratory infections, and increase immunity. In fact, these drugs are characterized by their spectrum of action and are intended to treat the influenza virus. Moreover, gradually, some strains of the influenza virus show resistance to the antiviral substances contained in these preparations. It should be noted that when using such drugs, it is imperative to consult a doctor. Anyone who independently prescribes treatment for himself can once again harm his body.

Do I need to take antibiotics to quickly defeat the disease?

Taking antibiotics from the first day of illness, self-medication, you only cause great harm to your body! Antibiotics are prescribed only by doctors and only in case of complications – they do not treat mild forms of diseases! Otherwise, at best, you will earn dysbiosis, and at worst, you will seriously undermine your health.

Should the symptoms of the disease be treated?

Antipyretic drugs incl.h. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually not prescribed to the patient at temperatures below 38 degrees. The high temperature of the material is a protective factor, and it must be reduced reasonably. These drugs are prescribed in cases where there is a severe intolerable headache, convulsive syndrome. In addition, some patients cannot tolerate even a slight increase in temperature (persons suffering from heart and vascular diseases, pregnant women, etc.).

In some patients, after or at the time of acute respiratory infections, there is a tendency to develop inflammation of the paranasal sinuses or allergic rhinitis.Therefore, in such people, it is necessary to treat a runny nose, respectively, with decongestants and antiallergic drugs. Many combined “cold” symptomatic drugs are sold in pharmacies. They contain the substances necessary for treatment in balanced doses, which reduces the risk of overdose. You just need to remember that their use should also be according to indications and in accordance with the recommended daily dosages. There are cases of uncontrolled use of these drugs.In addition, sometimes patients do not look at what is contained in combined drugs, and duplicate the use of drugs – for example, together with these drugs, they additionally use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This is also unacceptable.

In general, it is recommended that before buying any combination drugs, be sure to familiarize yourself with their composition, instructions, and if you are not sure, consult a doctor who will prescribe a suitable drug for you based on the complete picture of the disease

Should I be involved in the prevention and support of the immune system?

For the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections, hardening procedures, taking multivitamins, rational nutrition with the use of vegetables and fruits are advisable.containing ascorbic acid. For the prevention of influenza, the best prevention is a timely vaccination.

NOTE

Now every Tula can make their suggestions and express their opinion on the provision of medical services on the website of the medical institution and the website of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

Experts call this survey a form of public control over the quality of medical services. On the official websites of Tula clinics, you can now find two forms of questionnaires – for assessing the quality of services provided by polyclinics and hospitals.Questionnaires are anonymous and common for all medical institutions not only in the Tula region, but throughout the Russian Federation

Patients can assess the professionalism, friendliness of the medical staff, service conditions, availability of medical services, make their wishes and suggestions.

The results of the questionnaire will help improve the quality of medical care .. And today every patient can influence this indicator with his own voice.

Hospital site.D.Ya. Vanykina www.bsmp-tula.ru

The website of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation- https://www.rosminzdrav.ru

90,000 ARI, ARVI, influenza – what’s the difference?

What is the difference between influenza and ARVI and ARI?

The symptoms of these diseases are indeed very similar. Let’s figure out what the difference is.

It is a mistake to believe that ARI is an outdated abbreviation for ARVI. Acute respiratory disease , which is ARI , occurs on the initiative of viruses and mycoplasma infections (mycoplasma is a unicellular microorganism).The main provocateurs of ARVI are viruses and bacteria. ARVI stands for acute respiratory viral infection . ARI includes ARVI.

ARVI is a more accurate diagnosis, which, as we said above, speaks of the viral nature of the disease. The doctor can distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection by the appearance of the throat: the infection will manifest itself as red streaks, while the sputum usually remains transparent. Acute respiratory infections caused by a bacterial infection will cover the laryngeal mucosa with white wear, the sputum will acquire a greenish-yellow color.

ARVI is the most widespread group of infectious diseases in the world, which includes influenza.

What is the symptomatic difference between influenza and acute respiratory infections?

ARI develops slowly, the flu manifests itself quite suddenly and the patient’s condition deteriorates sharply.

With acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, one should not always expect an increase in temperature. In some cases, it may not exist at all. If the body temperature does rise, then this happens gradually, which cannot be said about the flu.Its sign is a sharp rise in temperature, up to 40 C, and during the first a bit. It can be difficult to bring down this temperature with conventional antipyretic drugs.

Already at 7-8 ducks after the first symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections or acute respiratory infections, a person fully recovers and recovers quite quickly. But the flu is not only more difficult to carry, but is also a more prolonged illness, the signs of which can be observed within 2 weeks. It will take at least a week to recover from an illness.

Headache and body aches, photophobia, fever, dry cough – everyone who was diagnosed with the flu went through this.

Influenza can provoke pneumonia, affect the ENT organs (sinusitis, tonsillitis, otitis media). Chronic human diseases contribute to the development of complications. Correctly selected treatment will help to avoid serious consequences. It is important to see a doctor promptly.

How to distinguish between COVID-19, SARS and influenza?

According to Rospotrebnadzor, in parallel with the increase in the incidence of COVID-19 among the adult population and children from seven to 14 years old, the weekly thresholds for the incidence of ARVI are exceeded.Experts give advice on how to distinguish these infections and the flu from each other.

“The flu is characterized by a very high temperature – 39-40 degrees – and a cough with discomfort behind the breastbone. There are rhinoviruses – it pours from the nose, low temperature, a person sneezes. There are adenoviruses – a sore throat clinic, sore throat, swelling of the lymph nodes. For coronaviruses, in principle, the characteristic is in the form of temperature in the 37-38 corridor, cough, sore throat and the phenomenon of catarrhal sinusitis with a decrease in smell.This is typical for all viral infections, but coronaviruses seem to give it out more often, ”says therapist Ivan Skorokhodov.

According to the therapist of the family medicine center Varvara Veretyuk, temporary loss of smell occurs only in a third of cases. Heavy nasal discharge is usually not common with coronavirus infection, although nasal congestion is present. She also emphasized that COVID-19 is not characterized by a cough with buzzing and whistling, which is more common with ARVI.

“It is possible to identify those symptoms that will help to suspect COVID-19: the most pathognomonic symptom is loss of smell and part of taste, prolonged and obsessive cough, shortness of breath, a variety of rashes that appear almost simultaneously with respiratory symptoms.In addition, there may be severe symptoms of intoxication that do not go away for more than two to three days, pain in muscles and joints, ”said infectious disease specialist Andrei Pozdnyakov.

Therapist Ivan Skorokhodov, among the alarming symptoms, names a temperature that does not pass for a long time. According to him, most viral infections “keep” the temperature for a maximum of three to five days. COVID-19 can have fever for up to a week. But focus only on her, lack of smell or coughing is not necessary.

“It all depends on the level at which the respiratory tract is affected. If at the level of the larynx, the cough will be rough, barking, there will be a sore throat. If this is the trachea, the cough will be with discomfort behind the sternum, scanty sputum, people say that it hurts in the chest. There is a bronchitis cough – with copious expectoration, with wheezing on breathing. But who caused these laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis: flu or covid? It’s hard to say. Therefore, only a set of signs can indicate the presence of a virus, and if we really want to get a clear answer, we must take a PCR test, ”he explained.

It is necessary to know the main symptoms of diseases, but at the same time, experts do not recommend self-diagnosis. For any ailment, you should see a doctor. Further, he will prescribe additional studies: if a coronavirus is suspected, PCR tests, which can be supplemented with a blood test for early antibodies and computed tomography of the lungs. After that, if necessary, special treatment is selected.

90,000 What to do if I have a cold ?,

December 25, 2019

In winter, low temperatures, lack of vitamins and epidemics of viruses now and then send a person to sick leave. Any disease is stress for the body. It can lead to complications, exacerbation of chronic diseases, knocks a person out of the usual pace of life. In order not to miss the onset of a cold, you need to recognize its first manifestations in time. If you have a fever, chills, body aches or headache, you must immediately perform a number of mandatory actions.

1. Keep warm

It’s cold outside, you feel your feet are cold – on your return home, warm yourself in a hot bath, steam your feet with a bath of dry mustard. Drink tea with raspberry jam or honey, wrap yourself in a warm sweater or robe, and avoid hypothermia so as not to aggravate the situation.

2. Stay Home

If you have already noticed your first symptoms – fever in the evening, general weakness, cough, runny nose – stay at home and call a doctor.At temperatures above 38 ° C, a doctor from the district clinic should come to your house.

3. Give yourself a break

Many people, especially women, feeling that they are starting to catch a cold, really stay at home, but at the same time they begin to do all those things that they did not get their hands on. An important condition for the speedy recovery of a person is proper care and a decrease in physical activity. Even if you are not experiencing a breakdown, you should not overload yourself with household chores.Do not waste the energy that will be needed to defeat the disease.

4. Drink plenty of fluids

The myth that water helps treat colds and flu is just a myth. However, the body during the period of illness suffers from dehydration, and even at the initial stage of the disease, it is important to maintain the correct water balance. Try to drink clean water rather than coffee, tea, or sodas. You can add honey or lemon to the water, as well as buy a bottle of medicinal mineral water.

5. Eat healthy

When the body is struggling hard not to succumb to illness, try not to overload it with fatty and heavy foods. Give preference to light soups, broths, cereals. Eat fruits and vegetables, supply yourself with vitamins to maintain immunity, drink lemon tea. And of course, do not forget about chicken soup, the beneficial properties of which are legendary without exaggeration.

6. Ventilate the room

If you do not do this, your apartment will soon turn into a breeding ground for your own germs and bacteria.And this not only prevents the body from fighting the disease, but also increases the risk of infecting your household for the company. Of course, ventilate the room when leaving it so as not to worsen your condition with low temperatures – especially when it is cold outside.

7. Use disposable handkerchiefs

Forget a pack or two of disposable handkerchiefs – they are not so expensive, but they will justify their benefits. After several uses, an ordinary handkerchief turns into an accumulation of microbes, and you will be tortured to wash it with a profuse runny nose.And disposable handkerchiefs are hygienic and easy to use.

8. Medication Precaution

Many people tend to self-medicate. This is facilitated by the abundance of drug advertisements in the media. Noticing the symptom “like an advertising hero” in himself, the person makes a diagnosis and rushes to the pharmacy for the advertised drug. However, the same symptom can indicate completely different diseases. For example, heartburn can be both a consequence of a banal overeating, and a symptom of diseases of the digestive system.And a cough, even with a cold, can have a different character, and therefore it is treated with different drugs. By delaying a visit to a doctor, a person aggravates his illness and poisons his body, possibly with drugs that are useless in this case. A striking example is the “fashion” for antibiotic treatment. Recall that these drugs act only on a bacterial infection and are prescribed by a doctor. If you “eat” an antibiotic for ARVI, then not only do you not get treatment, but also create conditions for the reproduction of dangerous bacteria, increasing the likelihood of complications.