How is Cold, Flu, Covid-19 and seasonal allergies caused ?
Colds, flu and COVID-19 are respiratory diseases caused by different groups
of viruses. The common cold is caused by rhinoviruses virus. COVID-19 is caused by infection
with the coronavirus, and influenza is caused by infection with the influenza virus.
COVID-19 spreads faster than other flu and is more contagious.
Unlike the common cold, flu, and COVID-19, seasonal allergies are not caused by
viruses. Seasonal allergy is a reaction of the immune system caused by exposure
to allergens such as seasonal pollen from trees or grasses.
Here in this blog we will study the symptoms of Cold, Flu, seasonal Allergies
and Covid-19. Also we will provide tips for avoiding the same. COVID-19, flu,
cold and seasonal allergies cause many of the same signs and symptoms. However,
there are some differences. Lets spot these.
What are the symptoms of common cold?
Cold symptoms appear gradually and more easily than flu symptoms. Symptoms
commonly include:
- Cough
- Mild fever (more common in children)
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion
Cold symptoms usually last for about a year, but are also contagious during the
first few days. Stay home, drink plenty of fluids, rest, and take over-the-counter
medications to help control your symptoms.
What are the symptoms of flu?
Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but the flu is much more serious and can lead
to serious health problems.
If you have a fever and immediate body or muscle aches, you may have contracted
the flu virus. Symptoms typically include:
- Pain
- Chest discomfort, cough
- Chills
- Extreme tiredness / fatigue
- Headache
- Fever
- Sometimes nausea and diarrhea
Fever Test Profile at home
Most symptoms improve after a few days, but you will probably feel drained after
a week or two. The flu is caused by the flu virus and you are infectious for several
days, so it is important to stay at home and get some rest.
Influenza can cause serious health problems such as pneumonia, especially in young
people, the elderly, or people with heart or lung problems.
Like the common cold, antibiotics do not help flu symptoms, but rest, fluids, and
over-the-counter medications can help relieve symptoms.
Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs to help you feel better faster and can
prevent complications such as pneumonia.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Like influenza, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness but caused by a different virus.
Compared to influenza, COVID-19 can cause more serious illness in some people.
COVID-19 can take longer to show symptoms and people can become infected longer.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and may include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Change or loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Like most respiratory viruses, COVID-19 is transmitted from person to person through
the respiratory tract by airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
What are the symptoms of allergies?
Allergy symptoms vary from person to person, may be most severe at certain times
of the year, and are not contagious.
For example, an allergic person may have worse symptoms during the summer months
when it is hotter and the plants are pollinated. They can also be caused by common
things in your environment such as pollen, dust, pet hair, and mold.
In addition, while COVID-19 can cause shortness of breath or shortness of breath, seasonal
allergies usually do not cause these symptoms unless you have a respiratory condition,
such as asthma, which can be caused by exposure to pollen.
Allergy symptoms may include:
- Sneezing
- Itching or watery eyes
- Itchy nose, ears, or throat
- Coughing or sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Hives
- Swelling
Although allergies can be treated at home without a prescription or prescription
antihistamines and medications, decongestants steroid nasal sprays, and some
allergies may require special treatment from a doctor.
Treatments for seasonal allergies may include over-the-counter or prescription
antihistamines, steroidal nasal sprays, and decongestants, and avoiding allergens
where possible. Seasonal allergies can last for several weeks.
Because some of the symptoms of influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory
conditions are similar, symptoms cannot be relied upon to tell the difference.
Tests help us identify viral respiratory diseases based on both blood tests and swab ,
rapid antigen kits are available for virus identification, with swab test Covid-19 RT PCR Test more
reliable for H1N1, influenza A, B, MERS, SARS COV2. Inflammatory markers to track
progression also aid in the treatment or regression of disease, and high-resolution
imaging of the lungs showing the associated lung pattern helps us determine the
likelihood of an underlying cause and response to drug treatment of a disease.
Many states are reporting skyrocketing increases in dengue?? and influenza cases,
not only are these cases up nearly 40% year over year, but we are also seeing
co-infections with COVID-19 and dengue fever in the same person. Performing
diagnostic testing as early as possible to detect these co-infections for treatment
can significantly reduce mortality and morbidity.
How can you avoid getting COVID-19, a cold and the flu?
Get the COVID-19 vaccine if possible. If you have not been vaccinated against
COVID-19, you can reduce your risk of contracting the virus that causes COVID-19,
colds and flu by following some standard precautions. social distancing and wearing masks.
Standard precautions to reduce the risk of COVID-19, cold and flu include:
- Avoid close contact (within 6 feet or 2 meters) with anyone outside your home,
especially at crowded places.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
- Avoid crowded areas
- When Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Clean and disinfect sensitive surfaces daily, such as doorknobs, light switches,
electronics and meters
How to prevent allergies?
The best way to prevent seasonal allergies is to avoid known triggers. If you are
allergic to pollen, stay indoors with windows and doors closed when pollen counts
are high. Wearing a sheet mask can also protect your body from seasonal allergies.
Masks can prevent some large pollen particles from being inhaled; however, the
smallest particles of pollen can still pass through the mask. It is also important to
rinse off the mask after each use, as the mask may contain powder particles.
Compared to other respiratory conditions, COVID-19 can cause serious illness
and life-threatening post-coid conditions. If you think you may have signs or
symptoms of COVID-19, talk to your doctor. Remember that preventive measures
will help you stay healthy.