How to distinguish coronavirus from colds and SARS: when to sound the alarm

Coronavirus – probably one of the main search queries on the Internet now. It never hurts to be reminded of how to distinguish the coronavirus from the flu and the common cold. Beginning of spring – the season when many catch a cold, the flu does not recede either. Therefore, it is important to understand in time whether it is worth sounding the alarm, isolating from loved ones and whether to make efforts to get tested for COVID-19.

The editors of estet-portal.com will tell you how to understand that you have a common respiratory disease or flu, and not a dangerous virus, and how to prevent infection. 

• How to tell the difference between the coronavirus and the flu and the common cold
• The difference between coronavirus and influenza and SARS
• Coronavirus Prevention – it all depends up to you

How to distinguish coronavirus from flu and colds

Coronavirus, SARS and flu have similar symptoms. That is why many people go to the doctor late, believing that they have a common cold, which will pass in a few days. 

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Doctors have systematized the symptoms of all three diseases to make it easier to distinguish one from the other:

1. Cold or SARS – sore throat and sneezing, nasal congestion are the main symptoms. The temperature will be in the range of 37-38, often it does not happen at all. 
   
   
2. Influenza – a feeling of great weakness, high temperature and fever, body aches and pain in the head, dry cough, headache are the hallmarks of this disease. 
   
   
3. Coronavirus – pronounced dry cough, high fever and fever, feeling tired, shortness of breath may appear. At the same time, the cough is severe, pronounced – and this is the main symptom of the disease. 

Read also: Sweating at night – symptom of a dangerous disease As you can see, flu and coronavirus have similar symptoms. But with the flu, there will be no shortness of breath, and with the coronavirus, the body will not ache, it will not “go crazy”; headache. Given the fact that the symptoms are very similar and the degree of their manifestation may be different for different people, it is worth calling a doctor immediately – as soon as you noticed that your health worsened. It’s not a fact that you will be diagnosed with a coronavirus, but the “ordinary” one influenza requires timely treatment so that

complications do not occur.

The difference between coronavirus and influenza and SARS 

The danger of coronavirus lies in the fact that its incubation period is delayed by two weeks. And the flu will make itself felt after 3-5 days. It can only be infected by airborne droplets, and the coronavirus has a wide range – this is an airborne way, and water with food, through mucous membranes, eyes and dirty hands.

What else is different about the coronavirus:

A lethal outcome from influenza can only be in patients who already have chronic diseases and a weakened body. The same goes for the coronavirus. Therefore, in both cases, the risk group will be the elderly – over 60 years old. But they get sick not only at this age.

1. ARVI is treated symptomatically, influenza requires antiviral drugs, and even better – vaccination, which will greatly reduce the risk of infection. Coronavirus is now treated only symptomatically, in severe cases mechanical ventilation is required.
    
   
2. 
   Disease prevention – for ARVI, this is the avoidance of crowds and basic hygiene rules. The only way to avoid the flu is to get vaccinated. But the coronavirus requires a set of measures – thorough hand washing and treatment with antiseptics, wearing a protective mask, self-isolation. Moreover, the last – the most effective way to avoid infection and spread of the virus.
    
Read also:

At the moment, coronavirus has a mortality rate that exceeds that of the flu. So, in the world this figure reaches 1%, and 5% of the sick have already died from the coronavirus. In Italy, this

indicator – over 8%.

Prevention of coronavirus – it all depends on you The main danger of coronavirus at the moment – the lack of specific treatment and a vaccine against it, the likelihood that facilitating technical and therapeutic agents simply will not be enough for everyone. Patients are treated symptomatically, and the invention of a vaccine is predicted for at least 2021. Therefore, serious prevention is needed.

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Wash your hands often for 20 seconds with soap and water, then use an antiseptic that should not be less than 60% alcohol;

• an antiseptic should always be with you if you need to go outside;
  
  
• do not contact people once again, isolate yourself, keep a distance of 1.5 m on the street;
  
  
• wear a mask with protection class 2-3, at least – ordinary disposable;
  
  
• don't touch your face with dirty hands, especially – area of ​​the mouth, nose, eyes;
  
  
• cook meat, eggs, offal well;
  
  
• wash fruits thoroughly;
  
  
• ventilate the apartment, do wet cleaning more often.
   
  
• Read also:
Clinical presentation and treatment of rhinovirus infection

And at the first suspicious symptoms, consult a doctor. Now you know how to distinguish coronavirus from flu and colds, but for any similar signs, it is better to play it safe – self-isolate, call a doctor. In this case, excessive vigilance is necessary for everyone in order to preserve life and health. 

Read also: How to bring down the temperature with home remedies

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