COVID-19, the flu and coldthere are three distinct diseases caused by viruses that trigger respiratory problems. Some symptoms can help us differentiate each of these diseases, but tests are needed to confirm a diagnosis.
Knowing the main symptoms of each of them can be an aid in decision making, such as: seek medical help urgently. It is noteworthy, however, that, despite this information being important, nothing replaces the opinion of a doctor.
Read too:Diseases caused by viruses - list, symptoms and treatment
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new type of coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) which appeared at the end of the year 2019. THE World Health Organization was communicated about cases of pneumonia no cause identified in the city of Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019. The disease quickly spread around the world and, on March 11, 2020, it was classified by the WHO as a pandemic.
The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:fever, dry cough and tiredness. Some patients also have: nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat and diarrhea.
It is noteworthy that some people remain asymptomatic. The disease is more severe in the elderly and people with previous health problems, such as high pressure, heart problems and diabetes.Read too: Coronavirus: the family of viruses responsible, among other diseases, for COVID-19
What is flu?
Flu is an illness caused by a virus known as influenza. Currently circulating three types of influenza virus in Brazil, types A, B and C. You types A and B are responsible for causing epidemics, while the type C it's milder. O influenza type A is responsible for triggering pandemics, such as the one that occurred in 2009, caused by the subtype A(H1N1).
The main symptoms of flu are: fever (usually above 38°C), body aches, dry cough and headache. Other signs and symptoms can be recorded, such as: chills, malaise, muscle pain, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhea, vomit and hoarseness. Flu fever usually lasts for three days, and respiratory symptoms may last for three to four days after the fever ends.
The flu can develop complications, especially in the elderly, children under five, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
What is the cold?
The cold is a disease infectious caused by virus, being some of the most common: rhinovirus, adenovirus and coronavirus. As we know, there are different types of coronaviruses, and those responsible for triggering colds are different from those responsible for COVID-19.
The main symptoms of a cold are: sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat and dry cough. People may have a fever, but most do not have this symptom or develop only a low-grade fever.
Read too: Main doubts about the cold
Difference between COVID-19, flu and cold
COVID-19, flu and cold are three diseases caused by virus, However, each of them is triggered by a different etiological agent. The three diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through droplets eliminated by the patient when talking, coughing or sneezing. Transmission can also occur through contact with the patient's secretions, with the hands, for example, being an important vehicle of transmission.
With regard to symptoms, many situations are common in the three diseases, however some points are worth mentioning. Fever, for example, is rare in cases of colds, but it can commonly occur in cases of flu and COVID-19. Shortness of breath sometimes occurs in cases of COVID-19, but it is rare in colds and flu.
See below a comparative chart made by the Ministry of Health regarding these three important diseases:
Read too:Tips to Prevent H1N1 Flu
How to prevent COVID-19, flu and cold?
COVID-19, flu and cold have similar forms of transmission, so the form of prevention also has similarities. Check out the main ways to prevent these diseases:
Wash hands using soap and water or sanitize with alcohol gel;
Do not touch eyes, nose and mouth without proper hand hygiene;
Avoid contact with people who have symptoms such as cough, runny nose and fever;
Avoid agglomerations when there is an increase in cases of these diseases;
Keep the environment airy;
Sanitize frequently used objects such as telephones;
Do not share personal items such as glasses and cutlery.
In addition, it is important to highlight the importance of, when sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth and nose to avoid contamination the environment and the transmission of the virus to other people.
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/doencas/diferenca-entre-covid-19-gripe-e-resfriado.htm