COVID-19 just came up disappear about the summer like we had hope –far from it. But although the coronavirus does not appear to be seasonal, there are many other communicable diseases. Cold and flu make the rounds every winter, and this winter they will be circulating alongside COVID. So how can we prepare?
Recognize that colds, flu, and COVID can look alike
Cold and the flu are already very similar diseases. Many times the flu will feel harder than a cold, but that is not a hard and fast rule. In a typical winter, at least one strain of influenza virus go, plus a lot of cold viruses. Viruses that cause colds include rhinovirus, adenovirus and four other types of human coronavirus.
One of these can cause fever and shortness of breath symptoms such as coughing and snoring. Telling the difference between cold and flu is typical enough in typical years; now we add the capability of COVID-19 into the mix.
Do not expect a card or thumb rule that can tell the difference between a cold and COVID authoritative. iif you think you have a garden variety cold, it is certainly possible it really is COVID. On the other hand, if you think you may have symptoms of COVID, it may bring peace of mind to remember that it cow just be a cold.
In any case do not accept. Testing will be important to tell the difference between COVID and other respiratory infections. (Let’s hope so prompt tests are available to anyone who needs them, and that leaders are now planning for the increased demand.) If you think you have a cold, grab or COVID (if allergies to fall, for that matter), contact a local doctor for advice.
Masks and distance also protect us from colds and flu
We thought of masks and social distance as specific anti-COVID measures, but because they protect us from each other’s respiratory drops, they can reduce our risk of catching and spreading other diseases as well.
This means that even if you do not think you are at risk of COVID – let’s say you visit a friend who has recently tested negative – safety measures such as masks, distance and ventilation are still a good idea.
Remember, although colds are less deadly than COVID, a cold weather can mean you worry about your health, get tested and seek care.
Definitely get that flu shot
The last thing you need, in the midst of a pandemic, is to catch the flu. Even though flu shots are not perfect ,:
- reduce your overall opportunities to catch the flu
- make it more likely that than you to do get the flu, it will be mild
- reduce the chances of passing the flu on to someone more vulnerable
Less flu in the community is a good thing. In addition to the uncertainty of asking if you have the flu or COVID, there are other reasons. Influenza patients are sometimes sick enough to need hospital care, so less so flu means less tax on the health care system. And less flu means less chance of someone getting the flu en COVID at the same time. That would not be fun.
Support your immune system, but not with supplements
There are many supplements that claim to “stimulate” your immune system, but those claims are mostly wasteful. As we have discussed before, they do not work—and even if they did, boosting is not what your immune system needs.
I am thinking of supplements like Vitamin C, which is not min for you as something, but realistically it will not make the difference between staying healthy and getting sick.
That said, I understand that taking a daily pack of Emergen-C (or whatever) is a useful little ritual for many people. Normally I would argue that you have to get over yourself, but we’re in a pandemic. If such a thing helps you to feel calm and in control, it might be good for your mental health. Maybe it takes up some brain space that would otherwise be filled with worries. Just be aware of the limitations, 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 simple, boring ones. Science is pretty sure that humans are at least likely to get sick if they rested well, fed well and not terribly stressed.
Life is hard there, and you should not feel guilty like you do to do to get complain. But make some time in your schedule, if you can, to get to bed early. Plan out meals that include both egg whites and vegetables. Managing your stress the best you can, or that means delegating tasks, takes more time for self-care or admit that you may have ignored these signs of fear for too long and it’s time look at therapy.
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