We are in the “heart” of the era of the coexistence of influenza and the COVID-19 infection. The risk for both diseases is and/or remains quite high.
“Furthermore, there is confusion about them, as the two diseases have similarities in the way they are transmitted: through droplets from coughing, sneezing and talking and through contact with contaminated surfaces, but also in the symptoms: fever, – usually with chills -, cough, sore throat, headache, nasal congestion and runny nose, pharyngalgia, myalgias, arthralgias,” points out Mr. Spyridon Gatzias Deputy Director of the “PNOH” Pulmonology Clinic Metropolitan Hospital. “However, they differ in some features such as the loss of taste and smell which is likely to indicate COVID-19 and the manner of onset of symptoms, as a sudden onset of symptoms accompanied by a high fever is likely to indicate influenza. Another difference, not between the two diseases but between their previous and current forms, is that the COVID-19 infection is milder, while the flu appears in its current form to be more aggressive and highly contagious,” he adds.

What are the symptoms that should worry us?

In general, it would be good, in any case, to rely on a specialist doctor who will make the correct diagnosis and not to try to make a diagnosis on our own. This need is more urgent when there is a high fever that persists for more than 2-3 days, shortness of breath, wheezing (sound like “whistling” which can also mean RSV infection, respiratory syncytial virus, which mainly affects infants and young children).

Risk factors for disease

Risk factors for severe disease, which concern both infections, are smoking, increased body weight, old age, the existence of chronic lung disease, cardiovascular problem, diabetes mellitus, or immunosuppression due to some treatment.

Prevention and treatment

The best treatment for both infections is prevention. This includes specific measures as well as our compliance with them. Some of the measures that worked at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (and also worked for the seasonal flu) can still help us now for both infections. These are the use of a mask where it is requested but also when it is left to our discretion, the regular and good washing of hands, the general observance of hygiene conditions, the use of antiseptic solutions, etc. But the most important preventive measure, the one that really makes a difference is vaccination.

“Vaccination is the most powerful weapon we have against both influenza and COVID-19 (but also other viruses). For the flu, the annual vaccination must be done, while for the new corona virus, based on the instructions of the competent authorities. Especially for high-risk groups, it is good to get a repeat vaccination for the flu, because its transmissibility can remain at a high level for a longer period of time than that for which the original anti-influenza vaccine protects us.
Regarding the treatment of the flu, when its symptoms are mild, the treatment is symptomatic, but when it appears more severe, then antiviral drugs are administered and preferably in the early stages of the disease.
Regarding COVID-19, the therapeutic approach is not uniform but depends on the severity of the disease and the patient’s immune sufficiency,” concludes Mr. Gatzias.