In Ukraine, annually, influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections affect around 10-25% of the population, and in the years of major epidemics, this figure can reach 90%. This season is accompanied also with COVID-19.
Influenza is an acute contagious disease characterized by a sudden onset, signs of tracheobronchitis. COVID-19 infection is more contagious than influenza and characterized by slow development of signs: fever, cough, and myalgia, dyspnoea, hypoxia, and diarrhea (rarely). Vulnerable patients may develop pneumonia with complications as acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute cardiac injury and secondary infection.
Precations and recommendations according to prevention of influenza, COVID19 and others acute respiratory illnesses are similar but should be follow strictly:
Keep social distance in crowded places;
Wear face masks to cover your nose, mouth and tightly fixed on a face;
Wash your hands with soap as you are touching your eyes, lips or have a meals etc;
Disinfect your hands if can’t wash them;
Keep your room clean and disinfect;
Avoid to visit of sick without PPE;
Keep good nutrition and sleep enough;
Drink herbal warm teas with lemon, if need, use multivitamin supplements;
Wear appropriate coat and clothes according to weather;
Avoid overcooling.
In case of signs of common cold, stay home and have usual support measures;
In case of fever, weakness, cough and dyspnea, call or visit physician.
Sydorchuk Aniuta,
Ph.D., Associate Professor
