In autumn, the number of respiratory diseases is traditionally increasing. In addition to the flu, which is hit by more than a million people every year in the Czech Republic, Covid-19 is also coming to the forefront. Patients often ask whether these two diseases can only be recognized by symptoms. According to general practitioners, however, it is not easy.
“Autumn is approaching and seasonal virosis time is coming. It is mostly viral respiratory diseases, which can be a number of flu and Covid. The common question of patients is whether the doctor can recognize the disease.”
Both diseases are manifested by cold, cough, headache, muscles and joints, elevated temperature or sore throat. They may have a slight course, but also more serious complications.
The difference can only be reliably determined by tests. The treatment is similar in most cases: it consists in resting, reducing fever and alleviating symptoms.
Stratus: the latest variant of Covid
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While the influenza returns every year in different form, Covid continues to mutate and brings new variants. The most widespread is Stratus, Subvariant Omikron. According to the European Center for the Prevention and Control of Diseases (ECDC), more than 70 percent of the analyzed cases appeared in the summer.
“However, Stratus does not prove clinically more seriously and is manifested like other omikron variants,” says epidemiologist Roman Prymula. Above all, the problem is faster spread, which increases the number of infected people.
Symptoms overlap
In Covid and influenza, respiratory problems, fatigue and fever are most common. With the new variant, however, doctors also observe symptoms that were not so common – for example, a hoarse voice, an irritated throat or severe headaches that may persist for several days. Nevertheless, Stratus cannot be said to cause more serious illnesses than previous mutations.
Patients with light symptoms should not look for a doctor immediately. It is crucial to stay at home, relax and wear a respirator in the necessary contact with people. If the condition deteriorates or symptoms persist for more than a week, the visit is on site.
Risk groups and treatment
Both diseases are the most dangerous for seniors and chronically ill. In these patients, they may lead to pneumonia or other complications that require hospitalization. While normal viral infections cannot be treated specifically, in some cases, antivirals are used in Covida and influenza.
However, they are expensive and are given only to patients with a high risk of severe course – for example, people with diabetes, heart diseases or obesity.
“There is no specific antiviral therapy for most respiratory diseases. The exception is COVID-19 and under certain circumstances influenza, where antivirals are administered. These are very expensive medicines and for example Covid-19 are administered only to persons with a high risk.”
Prevention: Vaccination and Healthy Lifestyle
Prevention remains the key. Since September, the new ComiNaty LP.8.1 has been available in the Czech Republic, which is targeting the Stratus and Nimbus variants. Vaccination is recommended especially for people over 65 and chronically ill.
Every year, the influenza excludes more than 100,000 people from work, which is reflected in millions of spare days and billions of socio -economic losses. Nevertheless, only around seven percent of the population is vaccinated against it in the Czech Republic. In developed European countries, the vaccination rate exceeds 50 percent.
According to Šonka, even young people should not underestimate the vaccination, who usually pass the flu or Covid without serious consequences, but can endanger their older or sick loved ones.
In addition to vaccination, doctors also recommend general preventive measures: regular movement, sufficient sleep, balanced food and stay in the fresh air. The consideration is also important – patients should stay at home and always order in advance when visiting a doctor so that they do not infect other patients.
Diseases that burden society
Respiratory infections, which include both flu and Covid, consist of a sixth of all prostony days in the Czech Republic. This represents more than 12 million days of incapacity for work annually. The cost of treatment of complications can climb up to tens of thousands of crowns per day of hospitalization.
Thus, the differences between influenza and Covid are small in everyday practice – both viruses can have similar manifestations and impacts. Therefore, prevention and timely recognition of more serious cases are played.
