Well, here we are in the throngs of the change of season with surges of seasonal allergies, bouts of flu, and the common cold infecting some of us and in the back of our minds, COVID is lurking like an ominous enemy threatening to strike. Many of us panic, thinking we caught COVID, so here are the differences between each, to keep us from deciphering wrong.
Coronavirus COVID-19
The normal first symptoms of COVID are fever, chills, body aches, and cough. All the symptoms seem identical during a cold, the flu, seasonal allergies, and coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. How do you know the difference?
Below is given information to help you better understand the signs, symptoms, and treatments.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:
Fever and/or chills
Cough (usually dry)
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Tiredness (sometimes)
Aches and pains (sometimes)
Headaches (sometimes)
Sore throat (sometimes)
Loss of smell and taste
*Upper respiratory symptoms, like runny nose and sinus congestion, are very uncommon in COVID-19.
The severity of COVID-19 symptoms ranges from mild to severe. If you think you have COVID-19, call a doctor immediately. It is advisable not to go to the hospital immediately unless you really need to as hospitals can be high infection zones.
If your symptoms are mild you will likely be directed to stay home to protect others from illness and follow the CDC’s recommended guidance for self-care. If you’re referred to a testing center or medical facility, call them in advance letting them know your symptoms.
Follow the treatment given for COVID, and along with that, take vitamins, immunity boosters, steam inhalations, gargle with turmeric, sprinkle raw garlic on food, which is a powerful virus killer along with all the other natural remedies. And take the medicines the doctor prescribes for you, of course. In the first stages, it will normally be crocin, steams, but if a person progresses to the second stage, they may need steroids and anticoagulants, under the doctor’s recommendation. If it progresses, the third stage would require oxygen and finally ventilators. Take loads of care and pray it does not reach the third stage.
It is advisable to take the vaccinations. In countries like the UK, 60% are vaccinated and their death rates have decreased to 1 digit, and the USA who is heavily vaccinating the population numbers have dropped down to very lows. However in India with 2% vaccinated, our numbers are leaping up the highest in the world, with over 4000 to 5000 deaths a day!
Cold
You may have caught a seasonal cold and the symptoms are milder than the more virulent weakening flu.
A common cold can cause any or all of these symptoms:
Runny or stuffy nose
Cough (mild)
Fatigue (sometimes)
Sneezing
Watery eyes
Sore throat
Headaches (rarely)
Aches and pains
The treatment for the cold is over-the-counter medications and natural boosters such as ginger and clove in different forms, etc. A typical cold will last on average 7 to 10 days. The majority of the symptoms are actually not caused by the infection itself, but rather our body’s immune system trying to get rid of it. Most cold viruses will go away if we allow our body time to fight them and heal on their own. It is said that the immune system is the greatest defense against the common cold.
Flu, Influenza
In the West, it is highly stressed to get a flu vaccine. Seasonal influenza comes in a force of fury to weaken the body. Flu is a respiratory virus which affects your nose, throat, and lungs and can last from 5 to 7 days.
Here’s are some common symptoms of the flu:
Fever and/or chills
Cough (usually dry)
Fatigue
Aches and pains
Runny or stuffy nose (sometimes)
Sore throat (sometimes)
Diarrhea (sometimes in children)
Unlike colds, vaccination is a good way to prevent the flu. If you received a flu shot and still get the flu, your symptoms are generally milder than if you didn’t receive the flu shot. Most people with the flu get well without medical treatment. Stay home and get plenty of rest and fluids and treat a fever with paracetmol, crocin or Brufen.
It’s crucial to note that antibiotics won’t help any viral infections. Usually, the infections just need to run their course naturally, so it’s best to just wait and watch. If your viral symptoms get better, and then days later suddenly get worse, you should contact your healthcare provider who can evaluate whether you may have a bacterial infection.
Use steam inhalations, hot water, raw garlic sprinkled on food is a powerful virus killer as well as hot tumeric milk, just a small cup, clove and ginger tea, along with other immune boosters.
Seasonal Allergies
This is the change of season and Spring is here with new breezes that carry pollen and different viruses.
Here are the symptoms for seasonal allergies
Itchy nose, eyes, throat, sinuses, and ear canals
Fatigue (sometimes)
Cough
Sneezing
Runny or stuffy nose
Watery eyes
Headaches (sometimes)
Shortness of breath
It should be noted that the most common cause of allergies in the spring is pollen. Pollen is carried in the air from flowers and plants, invisible to the human eye but can harm a lot of people’s immune systems.
Some people who suffer from springtime allergies will have their body’s immune system releasing antibodies to fight the allergens in their body. This will release histamines in their blood that trigger things like a runny nose or itchy eyes. One may experience more allergy symptoms on windy days when pollen inthe air is concentrated.
To prevent springtime allergies, use over the counter antihistamines and decongestants to reduce sneezing, itching, and congestion. Nasal sprays and stream inhalations can help decongest or ease inflammation in sinuses. In addition, eye drops may also help relieve itchy or watery eyes.
It is said prevention is better than cure. We must not panic, take good care, and believe in the best!
I am sharing some positive quotes on good health and let it encourage us all!
“Every negative belief weakens the partnership between mind and body.” – Deepak Chopra
“To ensure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.” -William Londen
“If you know the art of deep breathing, you have the strength, wisdom and courage of ten tigers.” – Chinese adage
“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.” – B.K.S. Iyengar
“Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.” – Joseph Pilates
“The human body has been designed to resist an infinite number of changes and attacks brought about by its environment. The secret of good health lies in successful adjustment to changing stresses on the body.” – Harry J. Johnson
“To keep the body in good health is a duty…otherwise we shall not be able to keep the mind strong and clear.” – Buddha
“You can’t control what goes on outside, but you CAN control what goes on inside.” – Unknown
“The cheerful mind perseveres, and the strong mind hews its way through a thousand difficulties.” – Swami Vivekananda
“Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos- the trees, the clouds, everything.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
“Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it, and watch the whole transform.” – Rene Descartes
“Health is a state of complete mental, social and physical well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” – World Health Organization, 1948
“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patients in care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” – Thomas Edison
“I have chosen to be happy because it is good for my health.” – Voltaire
“A sad soul can be just as lethal as a germ.” – John Steinbeck