How COVID-19 is changing the Cold, Flu and Sinus Season

We are still in the winter season and with the covid-19 pandemic we have to be even more careful of having a common cold, flu or sinus. Extra precautions are needed. These sicknesses can be irritating especially when you have lots to do. It is even more annoying when kids have the cold/flu/sinus. Keeping yourself in good health is one of the ways in which we can fight these.

So far this year, even as the COVID-19 pandemic surges in dozens of countries, the levels of many common seasonal infections remain extremely low, according the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pointing to the adoption of preventative measures and people strengthen their immune systems.

The pandemic caused by the SARSCOV-2 coronavirus has infected at least 67 million people and killed 1.5 million worldwide. The force responses intended to fight the pandemic — from temporary lockdowns to mask wearing, social distancing, enhanced personal hygiene and reduced travel — has had a huge impact on other common respiratory illnesses.

According to a report by the (CDC) the seasonal influenza hardly struck at all in some countries. That looks as though it might happen in the north, too. Conversely, some common-cold viruses have thrived, and tantalizing evidence suggests that they might, in some cases, protect against COVID-19.

Despite humanity’s long history with colds, flu and sinus the viruses that cause or trigger them still hold many mysteries. Scientists hope this year’s disrupted seasons could reveal new information about the transmission and behaviour of these unwelcome annual guests.

Cold, Flu, Sinus and Covid-19 – Understanding the Difference

What is Influenza (Flu)?

Influenza or the “flu” is an acute infection of the respiratory tract caused by a virus, some examples of your respiratory tracts are your nose, throat and lungs. The flu spreads easily from person to person, so it is important to wash hands a cough or sneeze and also distance oneself from the water droplets.

How is the u spread?

Flu viruses spread mainly by coughing, sneezing and by coming into close contact with an infected person.

What are the symptoms of flu? Symptoms include fever/chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache, and runny or stuffy nose.

The symptoms of a cold may be similar, but are different in some ways. Unlike the flu, a common cold is often mild and limited to sneezing, runny nose and sore throat.

What is Sinus?

Sinuses are small, air-filled cavities behind your cheekbones and forehead. The mucus produced by your sinuses usually drains into your nose through small channels. When people talk about their sinuses draining they are referring to the mucus.

What is the coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illnesses that range from the common cold to more severe and deadly diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

What is COVID-19?

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused from a novel coronavirus, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) states is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans.

The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette