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COVID-19 has not finished vanish more than summer like We hoped –far from there. But even though the coronavirus does not appear to be seasonal, many other communicable diseases are. Colds and flu go around every winter, and this winter, they’re going to be circulating alongside COVID. So how can we prepare?
Recognize that the common cold, the flu and COVID can be alike
Colds and flu are already very similar conditions. Often the flu will be more serious than a cold, but it’s not a hard and fast rule. In a typical winter, at least one strain of influenza virus is circulating, as well as many cold viruses. Viruses that cause colds include rhinovirus, adenovirus and four other types of human coronaviruses.
Any of these can cause fever and respiratory symptoms like coughing and sniffling. Differentiating between the common cold and the flu is quite difficult in typical years; now we are adding the possibility of COVID-19 into the mix.
Don’t expect a table or rule of thumb to tell the difference between a cold and COVID. IIf you think you have a garden cold, it’s definitely possible It’s done COVID. On the other hand, if you think you might be having symptoms of COVID, it can give you the peace of mind to remember it. could be just a cold.
Either way, don’t assume. The tests will be important in differentiating between COVID and other respiratory infections. (Let’s hope that rapid tests are available to all who need it, and that leaders are now planning for the increased demand.) If you think you have a cold, the flu or COVID (or fall allergies, for that matter), contact a local doctor for advice.
Masks and distancing also protect us from colds and flu
We’ve come to think of masks and social distancing as specifically anti-COVID measures, but because they protect us from each other from respiratory droplets, they can also reduce our risk of catching and spreading other illnesses.
This means that even if you don’t think you are at risk for COVID – say you are visiting a friend who recently tested negative – safety measures such as masks, distances and ventilation are always a good idea.
Remember, while the common cold is less deadly than COVID, catching a cold can mean spending time worrying about your health, getting tested. and seeking care.
Get the flu shot
The last thing you need in the midst of a pandemic, is to catch influenza. Even though flu shots are not perfect, they:
- reduce your overall chances of catching the flu
- make it more likely that if you make catch the flu, it will be sweet
- reduce the chances of passing the flu on to a more vulnerable person
Less flu in the community is a good thing. Besides the uncertainty of whether you have the flu or COVID, there are other reasons. Patients with influenza are sometimes sick enough to require hospital care, so less flu means less on the health system. And less flu means less chance of someone catching the flu and COVID at the same time. It wouldn’t be fun.
Support your immune system, but not with supplements
There are many supplements that claim to “boost” your immune system, but these claims are mostly rubbish. As we discussed before, they don’t work –and even if they did, the boost is not what your immune system needs.
I am thinking of supplements like vitamin C, which is not bad for you or whatever, but in reality it won’t make the difference between staying healthy and getting sick.
Having said that, I understand that taking a daily packet of Emergen-C (or whatever) is a useful little ritual for a lot of people. Normally I would say that you should get over yourself, but we are in a pandemic. If something like this helps you feel calm and in control, it might be good for your mental health. Maybe it takes up a brain space that would otherwise be filled with worry. Just be aware of the limits and don’t let these little rituals give you a false sense of security.
Sleep well and eat well
The best ways to support your immune system are the simplest and the most boring. Science is pretty much certain that people are least likely to get sick when they are well rested, well fed and not terribly stressed.
Life is difficult there, and you shouldn’t feel guilty if you make to have stress. But schedule some time in your schedule, when you can, to get to bed early. Plan meals that include both protein and vegetables. Manage stress as best you can, whether it’s delegating tasks, taking more time to take care of yourself or acknowledging that you may have ignored these signs of anxiety for too long and that it is time to look into therapy.
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