Coronavirus Vs the Common Flu – This Is What Doctors Want You to Know

The world has been concerned about the recent outbreak of an unknown kind of coronavirus (Novel Coronavirus/ 2019-nCoV), which has no cure yet and has created quite a lot of fear all around, especially in the regions surrounding Wuhan, where the virus was first detected.

One of the main reasons for panic among people is that the symptoms of this coronavirus are quite similar to those of the common flu, making it hard to detect or distinguish between the two.

Since the outbreak in Wuhan, several medical experts have come forward and broken down facts about the coronavirus to ease the many troubled minds.

Let’s look at what these experts have to say!

Source: The Wholesome Doctor

What Is Coronavirus?

The coronavirus comes from the group of pathogens that affects mammals, birds and humans too. Most viruses belonging to this group are not dangerous. In humans, they affect the respiratory system and cause diseases such as the common flu, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

The coronavirus is not completely unknown to medical science. In fact, it is more common than one can imagine. The types of coronaviruses that affect humans include NL63, 229E, HKU1, and OC43, which usually cause upper-respiratory tract illnesses (mild to moderate) and are contagious to some extent, just like the common cold.

It is more likely to affect those with low immunity. Therefore, older folk, pregnant women, kids, people suffering from heart disease, cancer, etc. are likely to be affected by the coronavirus.

Let’s quickly take a look at the symptoms of the coronavirus.

Symptoms of the Coronavirus to Look Out For

As mentioned earlier, the coronavirus has many symptoms similar to the common flu. Here’s a list of the signs and symptoms you need to know to take necessary actions if required.

• Runny Nose
• Fever
• Cough
• Headache
• Sore throat
• A general feeling of being unwell
• Breathing issues
• Inflammation in the lungs/ Pneumonia

Since it is difficult for a layman to differentiate between the symptoms of a coronavirus and the common flu, it can be quite difficult to identify the illness. Also, remember that coronavirus has an incubation period of up to 14 days, and it is imperative that you seek medical attention if the symptoms persist or worsen beyond 7 to 10 days.

We’re sure that the news has got you worried, but there are some preventive measures you can take to keep you and your family safe.

Here’s What You Can Do

Since low immunity is the biggest reason to contract this virus, boosting immunity seems like the obvious way to keep it at bay. Here are some measures you can take.

1. Stay hydrated.
2. Get plenty of rest.
3. Take medication for cold, cough, sore throat, and fever.
4. Consume a healthy, nutritious diet to build a robust immune system.
5. Personal hygiene –
   1. Wash hands with soap and water.
   2. Use an alcohol-based sanitiser.
   3. Keep your surroundings clean.
   4. Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing.
   5. Discard tissue once used.
   6. Avoid touching your eyes and nose.
   7. Disinfect frequently used objects.
6. Avoid crowded places till the end of spring
7. Avoid close contact with someone who has a cold and cough.
8. Avoid contact with live farm animals.
9. Avoid consuming raw meat and milk without boiling it properly.
10. When handling raw meat, wear gloves and store them separately to avoid cross-contamination.

You must also be aware of some general guidelines that are being followed to avoid human to human transmission of the illness.

General Guidelines to Keep Yourself Safe from the Coronavirus

• If travelling overseas, especially to a country that has a substantial number of illnesses reported due to the coronavirus, ensure you boost your immunity and carry all essential medications for fever, cough and cold.
• Several International airports, railway stations and bus stations are conducting health screenings to avoid deportation and importation of travellers affected by the coronavirus. Thus, cancel travel plans if you already have a fever, cough and cold.
• Those who have come in close contact with patients affected by the coronavirus must get themselves checked immediately.
• Seek medical attention immediately if you experience trouble breathing along with cold, fever and cough.
• When eating out, ensure the restaurants follow general guidelines of food safety, food handling and hygiene.

As a bonus tip, here’s a quick recipe to boost your immunity and stay safe.

Spice Tea Recipe

This tea is a perfect concoction of flavour and nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and the B vitamins. It has anti-oxidant, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties that can help in repairing the human body and boost the immune system.

Note: This recipe is not recommended for those who have breast cancer, ovarian cancer or any disease caused by excessive estrogen.

Ingredients:

• 1 to 2 Indian star anise
• 250 ml (1 mug) of water

Method:

• Boil water in a pan.
• Add the star anise and turn off the flame.
• Cover the pan and let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes before drinking it.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBVvV8A7iSI

Coronavirus is reported to be active during the winter and the spring seasons, so travel with caution. You must also try to avoid crowded places to keep yourself from contracting the virus. In case you need more information on coronaviruses or fear you may have contracted illness, you must visit a medical practitioner immediately.