According to According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19, cold and the flu can cause similar symptoms. However, there are several differences between them.
The acute respiratory tract infection, Covid-19, is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Covid-19 epidemic took place coinciding with the outbreak of seasonal diseases such as influenza A, influenza B, colds, …
These diseases have many different symptoms but have same symptoms of fever with different levels of danger.
Specifically, Covid-19, influenza A, colds have general signs of fever and signs of respiratory infections such as cough, runny nose. However, it is necessary to rely on epidemiological factors, the progression of the disease that the physician has a basis for classifying the disease.
The epidemiological factor of Covid-19 disease is people traveling through the epidemic area, who have close contact with patients with suspected or confirmed to have corona virus.
Usually the common cold causes only mild symptoms that go away within 5-7 days. The disease caused by Covid-19, influenza A may be mild, but some cases will lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, sinusitis, shock, multi-organ failure due to influenza virus or multiple infections.
For suspected cases of Covid-19 or influenza A, immediate medical attention and isolation are required. If the patient shows signs of excessive fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath or any other severe symptoms the patient should seek medical attention immediately.
When the fever is over 38.5 degrees Celsius, the patient should have a fever prescribed by a doctor, not arbitrarily using the drug.
Currently, to ensure the prevention of coronary disease, the Ministry of Health has directed the overall implementation of many measures, including medical isolation within 14 days for those who have close contact with cases. The illness, suspected cases and travel cases from an infected area are particularly important.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) both recommend 14 days of medical isolation. To date, all countries in the world have applied medical isolation for 14 days.
Vietnam has adopted a strict 14-day medical isolation measure to prevent respiratory infections caused by the new strain of corona virus.
The number of isolation days is given based on the incubation period of the new strain of corona virus. The incubation period is calculated from the time a person becomes infected with the virus until the first symptoms of the disease appear. Currently, the incubation period of COVID-19 is estimated to be between 2 and 12 days, and this time will be updated more accurately as more data are available. Based on information about other corona virus diseases that have previously caused diseases such as MERS and SARS, the incubation period of the new corona virus may be less than 14 days.
Therefore, people suspected of having the virus need to be isolated for 14 days. If after 14 days without any symptoms, they can return to life as usual. If, within 14 days, someone has symptoms of a new strain of coronavirus respiratory infection such as cough, fever or difficulty breathing, he or she needs to be tested to see if there is a virus infection to have timely treatment and isolation.
In addition, it is necessary to cleaning and disinfection of areas where patients have been used to reduce the risk of infecting to others.
People need to eat sufficient food, wash the hands regularly and keep surfaces and utensils clean, cook food.
Eat enough vegetables, fruits, nuts. Especially drink enough water. Opt for products rich in immune boosters like vitamins A, D, C, or zinc, selenium, etc.
DR. NGUYEN DUC HOANG
