COVID–19 VS Seasonal Flu

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COVID – 19 versus Seasonal Flu

COVID – 19 commonly said corona, these days has probably been one of the most frequently used word. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus which was unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

As per the media briefing of COVID – 19 situation update of Nepal dated 10^th Bhadra 2077, 885 new COVID – 19 cases with 11 new COVID – 19  deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours making the national tally of 34418 COVID – 19 cases with 175 COVID – 19  deaths. Since 10^th Chaitra 2076 till 10^th Bhadra 2077, the number of COVID – 19 cases has escalated from 2 with 0 death to 34418 with 175 deaths – in the last 5 months period. In such instance, it is crucial to be preventive against COVID- 19 in all possible ways.

Contrastingly, now is the time of season change – currently being the late of monsoon. And, people are suffering from seasonal flu. At this moment when the world is in a state of fright against COVID – 19, the problem of seasonal flu seen in Nepal has increased the suspicion and panic among the people as it is COVID – 19. Nevertheless, COVID – 19 and seasonal flu can be differentiated on the basis of symptoms; fever, chills , body aches and cough – all these symptoms seem the same for COVID – 19 and seasonal flu. However, upper respiratory symptoms like runny nose and sinus congestion are very uncommon in COVID – 19.

There are established symptoms relative to different stages in case of COVID – 19 when perceived should seek medical examination and process further for cure.

Stage I

• Fever (up to 102 to 104 degree Fahrenheit)
• Dry and whooping cough
• Difficulty breathing and wheezing
• Sore throat
• Tiredness
• Decreased sense / loss of smell and taste

Stage II

• Shortness of breathe even when resting
• Difficulty breathing while lying down
• Increased severity of other chronic conditions due to shortness of breath

Stage III

• Need to struggle for every breathe and difficulty speaking
• Extreme chest pain
• Hard to get up
• Things get boring and confusing
• Fainting

Globally, many people have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains and there are therapeutics for seasonal flu while COVID – 19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity; that means more people are susceptible to COVID – 19 infection and some will suffer severe disease and at the moment there is no vaccine and/or no specific treatment for COVID – 19.

The COVID – 19 pandemic is a question of solidarity; every individual around the globe should protect themselves to protect the rest.

Wear a mask, Clean your hands and Keep a safe distance – Save lives.

References

• http://www.who.int/emergencies
• https://www.cdc.gov
• https://intermountainhealthcare.org

 

Mamta Dhakal Dhungana

I am a graduate in Public Health (2017) currently working as Program Officer at Nepal Cancer Relief Society, Lalitpur. Writing endears me and as a Public Health Professional, I write about Public Health related contents with the aim to sensitize general public about the importance of physical as well as mental well-being, disease prevention and health promotion.