“Cold, Flu, or COVID-19? Understanding the Differences in Symptoms and Transmission Routes”

The mask order was revoked, and everyone took off their masks one after another to breathe free air! However, it’s the turn of the season and the peak season of influenza. Whenever my throat is dry, my beggars are begging, and my nose is runny, I have questions in my heart: Is it a cold, the beginning of the flu, or a “caught” infection of new coronary pneumonia? What are the differences in the transmission routes and symptoms of the common cold, flu and new coronary pneumonia? Let’s go together!

Many people confuse a cold with the flu, and now there is a new crown pneumonia! But in fact, they are slightly different in the type of disease, etiology and symptoms. You can use these aspects to help you distinguish which kind of disease you are suffering from, but the most important thing is to seek medical advice when you are sick, so don’t make a diagnosis and take medicine for yourself indiscriminately!

Influenza usually infects a group of people at the same time?

When the seasons change, the weather changes from hot to cold, from sunny to rainy, and people go to and out of air-conditioned places. At this time, it is easy to get sick. Both cold and flu are contagious respiratory diseases caused by viruses, but the symptoms are not caused by viruses, but by the immune response triggered by infection. Influenza is caused by influenza viruses, mainly divided into types A, B and C. In Hong Kong, Type A and Type B are the most common, and the peak period of infection is from January to March or April, and from July to August.

Colds are caused by more than 200 different viruses, with rhinoviruses being the most common. Most patients will get sick due to cold, rain, fatigue, weakened immunity, and virus infection. Influenza virus spreads through droplets, so a group of people are usually infected at the same time! Xu Shuchang, a government expert consultant and chair professor of the Department of Respiratory System at Chinese University, also pointed out that people wear masks for a long time and rarely come into contact with common respiratory viruses, such as influenza. Once the mask is removed, they may be infected by these viruses. If you notice that people around you, such as in the office, hear a lot of coughing and wiping your nose, you should be more vigilant, and see if you need to put on a mask again to protect yourself according to the situation and needs!

(Image source: unsplash)

As for the new crown pneumonia, after more than three years of fighting the epidemic, it was found that the pandemic of the new crown pneumonia has nothing to do with the weather. Even after three springs, summers, autumns and winters, the virus has not stopped the mutation. Take the most common Omicron as an example. This virus is mostly airborne, and infected people can infect others through coughing and sneezing. In addition, touching objects or surfaces with viruses or shaking hands, and then touching eyes, mouth and nose, has a chance of infection! So even if the current epidemic prevention measures are relaxed, don’t take it lightly and “touch around”!

(Image source: unsplash)

Next page: Influenza Symptoms Affect the Whole Body! The new crown has the longest hand tail!

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