They involve at least three. And in addition, three that are in full swing at this time. RSV infection, influenza and COVID-19. In order to make a diagnosis, special tests are needed for each one, so that the appropriate treatment can be given.
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)

The virus usually circulates from late December to mid-February. However, this year has seen an early rise in its cases, resulting in significantly higher numbers of infections and hospitalizations.
“It’s a common winter virus that causes a mild illness that looks like the common cold in most people, but can become very dangerous for young children and the elderly. The symptoms it causes are cough, runny nose and fever but the infection can develop into bronchiolitis or even pneumonia. Regarding the diagnosis, in addition to the clinical examination, there are rapid antigen tests as well as molecular tests”, points out Mr. Ilias MoutsiosSpecialist Pathologist, Director Pathologist at Metropolitan Hospital.

Influenza virus

Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory system caused by the Influenza virus type A, B or C. It is a highly contagious disease with a significant impact on human health and especially on high-risk people such as the elderly, heart patients, people with pulmonary problems as well as immunosuppressed people .

Symptoms of flu are sudden onset of high fever accompanied by chills, severe headache, runny/blocked nose, severe cough, myalgias/arthralgias, fatigue/malaise. Although the acute phase symptoms subside after 3-5 days, the patient’s severe cough and exhaustion can last much longer (10 or more days) and are likely to lead to secondary complications such as sinusitis, bronchitis or pneumonia.

The diagnosis is established by direct molecular detection of influenza viruses using the PCR method, from a nasopharyngeal sample.
Influenza has caused major pandemics in its various forms such as the Spanish (1918-1919), the Bird Flu in N.A. Asia as well as the new influenza A (H1N1) in 2009.
COVID-19

It is also known as acute respiratory disease 2019 or COVID and is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

The first record of the virus was in the city of Wuhan, China in late 2019 where it manifested itself with a variety of symptoms with the most common: fever, dry cough and physical exhaustion. Less common are: loss of taste/smell, sore throat, myalgias and arthralgias. In case of severe progression of the disease symptoms include shortness of breath, confusion, anorexia and high fever.

The main methods for diagnosing the disease are the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as well as the antibody test.
“These are the viruses that have plagued us in recent years and especially this year. What can we do; How can we protect ourselves and react?
First of all, we must contact our doctor at the first appearance of symptoms. He, after the clinical examination and thorough history taking, will direct us to perform the appropriate diagnostic tests, as he now has this capability. This will also lead to the administration of the correct treatment when it is deemed necessary”, concludes Mr. Moutsios.