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Colds, seasonal flu and COVID-19 are contagious diseases that are spread through the respiratory tract and are caused by different viruses.

The Ministry of Health published recommendations on how to distinguish them in order to seek adequate treatment.

The signs of a 

 ("common cold") are mainly impaired breathing through the nose, cough and scratchy throat.

In rare cases, mild fever, headache and fatigue may occur.

Usually, no complications occur and complaints subside within a few days.

Unlike the common cold  ,

 is characterized by a sudden onset of high fever, cough and sore throat, accompanied by headache and/or muscle and joint pain.

The feeling is of severe illness.

Other signs of the disease may include general weakness, chills, sweating, loss of appetite, runny nose and nausea.

The most common complication of seasonal flu is pneumonia, and children can also develop a middle ear infection.

In rare cases, complications such as inflammation of the brain and heart muscle can also occur.

Complaints related to seasonal flu symptoms persist for more than a week.

Virologist: There is a danger that COVID-19, influenza and a respiratory virus will come together in one

With COVID-19, common symptoms are cough and fever.

Sore throats, headaches and pains in the limbs may appear, as well as general weakness and, over time, shortness of breath.

Other signs of illness such as nausea, conjunctivitis, swelling of the lymph nodes and drowsiness, disorders of smell or taste are also possible.

The infection can be asymptomatic, but it can also affect the respiratory and other systems in the human body.

Various complications and severe inflammatory reactions are possible.

Elderly people and people with chronic diseases are particularly vulnerable to a severe course and complications when infected with the flu virus or the coronavirus.

Although influenza and

 in most cases proceed with a typical clinical picture, it is necessary to perform a laboratory test to distinguish them.

Early administration of an antiviral medicinal product for treatment is essential when influenza virus is detected.

It is important to know that contagious infections that are transmitted through the respiratory tract and are caused by various viruses are not treated with antibiotics.

With symptoms of a respiratory disease, it is important to consult your general practitioner, who will prescribe the appropriate tests and therapy.

Given the increasing incidence of influenza and acute respiratory diseases in the country, to limit the spread of viruses that cause colds, flu and COVID-19, it is recommended to apply general non-pharmaceutical measures such as physical distance, hand hygiene, regular ventilation and disinfection of surfaces in the home and in objects of public importance with a gathering of people.

For persons at risk of serious illness and complications, wearing a protective face mask on public transport and indoors will help reduce the risk of infection and illness.

The main preventive measure for influenza and COVID-19 is vaccination, according to the Ministry of Health.

Administration of a booster dose with an adapted mRNA vaccine in persons with completed primary immunization or received a booster dose with original vaccine more than 3 months ago will increase our immune defense when encountering new sub-variants of the coronavirus.

flu

COVID19

a cold