Preventing Respiratory Infections: Advice and Tips to Limit Spread

Although there is no epidemic yet, you hear more and more people coughing and sniffling. The season in which respiratory infections are circulating has started. There are several viruses that can cause a respiratory infection.

For example, the RS (respiratory syncytial) virus, the influenza virus (influenza virus) and various coronaviruses. The coronavirus SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)-CoV (coronavirus)-2 also causes many infections. With simple advice you can limit the spread of respiratory infections and protect people who could become very ill, reports the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

The severity of a respiratory infection can vary from a mild cold to a serious pneumonia. The most common complaints of a respiratory infection are: coughing, sneezing, sore throat and a runny or runny nose. Sometimes this is accompanied by fever, muscle pain, headache or fatigue.

Some people are at extra risk. If you have a respiratory infection, you can infect people around you. Some people can become seriously ill. For example, the RS (respiratory syncytial) virus can be dangerous for very young children. With the coronavirus and the flu virus, the elderly and people with chronic diseases or serious immune disorders are particularly at risk of a serious respiratory infection.

Preventing the spread of respiratory infections. Do you have complaints that are consistent with a respiratory infection? Then follow the advice below. This helps limit the spread of respiratory viruses. You also protect people who are at extra risk from a respiratory infection.

Advice on complaints. You cannot completely prevent a respiratory infection. You can reduce the chance of passing the virus on to someone else with the following general advice:

-Are you ill? Stay at home.

-Do you have minor complaints? Work from home if possible. Consult with your employer if necessary.

-Cough and sneeze in your elbow.

-Keep your distance from others.

-Avoid contact with people who could become seriously ill from a respiratory infection.

-Is contact still necessary (for example for informal care)? Wear a mouth-nose mask.

Good hygiene helps to limit the spread and can help prevent you from becoming ill yourself. Therefore, wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water and ventilate indoor areas.

More other viruses last year. In the first years of the corona epidemic, many respiratory infections other than COVID-19 were reported less frequently. In the winter season of 2022/2023, the number of reported infections was again approximately the same as before the corona epidemic. Sometimes even a little higher. This is evident from the overview of the number of patients with flu and other respiratory infections that the RIVM publishes every year.

The omikron variant of the coronavirus circulated in the winter of 2022/2023. This variant made people less seriously ill than the previous variants. As a result, fewer people were admitted to hospital. This winter, more people went to the doctor with flu-like complaints than in the previous winter. However, this was still less than before the corona epidemic. The number of reported RS virus infections was higher than in previous winters.

A respiratory infection is an inflammation of the mucous membrane in the airways. This is also called a respiratory infection. These infections are often caused by a virus. Well-known viruses that can cause respiratory infections include the flu virus, the RS (respiratory syncytial) virus and various coronaviruses, such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)-CoV (coronavirus)-2.

The severity of a respiratory infection can vary from a mild cold to a serious pneumonia. Respiratory tract infections caused by bacteria are often more serious. For example, legionella bacteria and pneumococcal bacteria.

How do you recognize a respiratory infection? Respiratory infections are common in autumn and winter. The infections are often caused by a virus. The most common complaints of this respiratory infection are coughing, sneezing, sore throat and a runny or runny nose. Sometimes you also have other complaints such as fever, muscle pain, headache or fatigue. If you have a respiratory infection, you can infect people around you. Some people can become seriously ill from a respiratory infection. For example, the RS (respiratory syncytial) virus can be dangerous for very young children. With COVID-19 (SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)-CoV (coronavirus)-2) and flu (influenza), the elderly and people with chronic diseases or serious immune disorders are particularly at risk.

2023-10-11 15:23:24
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