Double threat of influenza, COVID-19 Causes of concern this winter

The flu season has arrived. This is a time of concern for public health professionals and is here. It has been several months since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out and announced a new era of masking, social distance and public health efforts to mitigate the spread of the disease. Experts in the fields of public health, research, and medicine have made great strides in finding ways to combat this unprecedented coronavirus pandemic. However, there is currently a double virus threat. Therefore, it is important to help us personally and nationally to better adhere to the guidelines and minimize harm to our neighbors.

It is difficult to distinguish COVID-19 from influenza, or most other respiratory viruses that cause the common cold, because the symptoms are about the same. Fever, chills, coughing, malaise, body aches, and other symptoms are typical of these symptoms. Similarly, both coronavirus and flu can cause serious complications in suffering patients. So we need to protect ourselves from both. However, when compared to influenza, COVID has shown that taste and odor loss is more common. In addition, some patients are infected with both COVID-19 and influenza at the same time. COVID-Data on how to manage influenza coinfections is very limited. Therefore, prevention is essential. Coinfection seems to be very likely to have a greater impact on health than just one or the other.

One of the most important things anyone can do to protect themselves, their families and society is to get a flu shot this season. There is no COVID-19 vaccine yet, but there is at least one flu vaccine. Influenza vaccine should be given to all individuals, especially children, pregnant women and the elderly. Although not as dangerous as COVID-19, the flu itself can cause serious illnesses that justify hospitalization, and you need to open as many beds as possible to continue fighting this pandemic.

There is much more we can do. Both COVID-19 and influenza are respiratory viruses that are spread by droplets. This means that the same efforts currently being made to control the spread of the coronavirus will help prevent influenza. These efforts include wearing a mask in public (preferably a surgical mask is more effective than a cloth mask), washing hands frequently, disinfecting frequently touched objects, and at least 6 feet from others. There are distant social distances and so on.

This winter season, it is important that our society work together to combat this dual viral threat. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a long and difficult year, but now there is a second threat. It’s understandable that “pandemic fatigue” is imminent, but this year is now the most important time to follow public health recommendations, more than any other time. To protect our fellow citizens, we must continue to practice social distance, wash our hands, stay home when sick, and wear a face mask when outside the house. Healthcare professionals have struggled and sacrificed to care for their patients. One of the best ways to show our support to end this pandemic is to accept the flu vaccine and give yourself and your healthcare system the best chance of success.

Dr. Sanchez examines patients of all ages and provides obstetric services at the Lone Star Family Health Center, a non-profit 501 © 3 federal certified health center operating facility in Conroe, Spring, Willis, Grangerland, and Huntsville. I am a trainee. It serves as the home of a fully integrated family medicine training program to increase the number of family doctors in Texas and our community.