Every Cold Or Cough Is Not Corona : How To Care For Your Health In Monsoon

In this blog, Dr Savyasachi Saxena, HOD –Deptt. Of ENT/ Head & Neck, Fortis Hospital, shares interesting insight of the ongoing respiratory tract infections, especially in the Monsoon weather.

Along with a pleasant cool weather, the rainy season is known to bring coughs, colds, and other viral infections like the flu. Normally, you would take some medicine to treat the symptoms and wait till you recovered. But at a time when we’re dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is always the fear that a cough, cold or fever could be the dreaded disease. If you are displaying symptoms of a viral infection, there is no need for you to panic. If you are worried that you might have the novel coronavirus, here’s how you can tell it apart from the other infections:

Symptoms of the Common Cold:

• Mild, wet or dry cough
• Frequent sneezing
• Blocked nose
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Sore throat
• Occasional tiredness

If these symptoms are not accompanied by a fever then there is a good chance that you only have a cold. With enough rest and nourishment, you will get better soon.

Symptoms of FLU

• Mild to high fever
• Dry cough
• Body ache
• Tiredness
• Headaches
• Watery eyes
• Occasional diarrhoea

Fever is common during the flu and can take up to two weeks to pass. However if your symptoms tend to improve within 3-4 days, no need to worry.

“But if persists any longer, visit the nearest Flu clinic or hospital or VIDEO-CONSULT OR TELE CONSULT your doctor. “

Symptoms of COVID-19:

• Mild to high fever
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Tiredness
• Occasional loss of sense of smell and taste
• Rash or discoloration of the skin

If you are having breathing difficulty or shortness of breath, which was not present earlier, immediately consult the Doctor.

GENERAL CARE GUIDELINES:

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water
• Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and others. When someone coughs, sneezes, or speaks they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person has the disease
• Avoid going to crowded places. If necessary, then always wear a N-95 mask
• Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and wash your hands
• Stay home and self-isolate even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever, until you recover