Have I been affected with COVID-19? That’s the first question everyone has as soon as they sneeze – or cough. People have forgotten that normal cough and cold are common symptoms of influenza. There have been a lot of debates since the emergence of the Novel Coronavirus that how the virus reacts to the changing weather patterns.
Earlier, many scientists across the globe had high hopes for the summer season. The reduced potential of virus survival in the humid climate offered hope. Generally, virus infections related to the respiratory tract decrease drastically in high temperatures as it curbs the virus duration in a hot environment.
Spread of any viral infection depends on three factors: Seasonal Changes. Virus characteristics and human behavioral patterns. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that has similar symptoms like influenza flu. A few researches have highlighted that SARS virus and flu survive in low temperatures and humidity.
According to a research by Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, that humid weather during monsoon season gives a chance for the spread of flu and influenza. In this study, researchers examined the life of COVID-19 patients through the patients sneeze or cough and it is that dry & hot weather helps in evaporation of infected droplets quickly and thus reduces the risk of virus spread.
At the time of the deadly SARS virus is at its peak, everyone may find it difficult to differentiate what you are suffering from as the symptoms are very much similar to common cold, cough and flu. Does itchy eyes or runny nose mean that you have fever or COVID-19. So how do you differentiate the symptoms between influenza flu and COVID-19. It is hard to tell the difference based on symptoms and only testing will help you diagnose. But, there are a few key differences between the two.
What is CoronaVirus (COVID-19)?
Coronavirus is from the family of viruses that causes illnesses such as common cold, SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). COVID-19 is a disease that is caused by SARS-CoV-2 which is also called respiratory tract infection. COVID-19 affects your upper respiratory trach or lower respiratory tract. It spreads mainly from a person-to-person contact. This infection ranges from mild to severe.
Symptoms of COVID-19
Symptoms and signs of COVID-19 may appear anywhere between 2-14 days after exposure. The timer after exposure and before having symptoms is known as incubation period. Common symptoms of COVID-19 are
- Cough
- Fever
- Tiredness
And one of the early symptoms of COVID-19 includes loss of smell or taste.
Other symptoms include:
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Runny nose
- Nausea and
- Diarrhea
This virus can lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure, septic shock and death sometimes. Many COVID-19 complications cause a condition known as cytokine release syndrome or cytokine storm. This condition can kill tissue and damage your organs. If you’re infected, the symptoms show up in 2 days or as many as 14 days and it varies from person-to-person.
What is Common Flu?
Common Flu is a self-limited disease that is caused by different types of viruses. Common flu is medically referred to as an Upper respiratory tract infection. Many viruses are responsible for a common cold. Most people recover from common flu within a week or 10 days. Flu persists longer in people who smoke. Flu can be spread either through direct contact with the infected person or by inhaling the airborne virus after an individual coughs or sneezes. Like COVID-19 person-to-person transmission often occurs when a person has cold blows or through contaminated surfaces.
Symptoms
Signs of common flu generally appear between 1-3 days after exposure to the virus. These symptoms vary from person-to-person, which include:
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Chest Congestion
- Slight body aches
- Mild headache
- Low-grade fever and
- Malaise
And not everyone with common flu experiences a fever, but is true for adults or those with weak immune systems. Symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting is most common in children who are suffering from flu.
Ways to Prevent Common Flu or COVID-19 virus
- Avoid gathering or large events
- Wash your hands in regular time intervals
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has symptoms of common flu or COVID-19
- Cover your mouth while sneezing or coughing
- Drink Warm Water
- Avoid touching your nose and mouth
- Use alcohol based sanitizers.
- Gargling with salt water
- Wear a Mask while your outdoors
All these will help you prevent Common flu or COVID-19
If you experience any of the symptoms related to Common flu or COVID-19 its best to consult a Super Specialty Hospital in Hyderabad for further investigation. Sai Sanjeevini is a Super Specialty Hospital in Hyderabad offers all Health Care Services and endeavors to the best multi-specialty Hospital in Hyderabad and has the best doctor in Hyderabad. At Sai Sanjeevini Hospital we provide quality health care services that combine with effectiveness, advance treatment procedures and state of treatment technologies.