Is Covid-19 like the flu now? calm down it’s not

With the World Health Organization’s announcement on May 5 that the international public health emergency (PHEIC) is over, some people may think the pandemic is over.

But the truth is that the spread of Sars-CoV-2 continues to be active internationally. This is a persistent virus and still deserves attention due to its potential for transmission and the development of serious acute respiratory diseases.

Find out which tips still apply and how to distinguish covid symptoms from other respiratory illnesses.

Is the epidemic finally over?

It may seem strange, But the epidemic is not over. The term pandemic is characterized by the ability of a pathogen to spread globally. So the pandemic continues.

This does not mean that covid-19 has maintained its transmission and death rates, but that it remains present and active worldwide.

With the availability of immunizations, the number of new cases and deaths from covid or severe acute respiratory syndrome has dropped significantly.

Has Covid turned into the flu?

If by this question you mean covid is here to stay then yes, covid will circulate like other respiratory viruses. But if by that you mean no longer at risk of complications, the scenario changes.

Although vaccines are very effective, coronavirus continues to mutate. For this reason, some strains may escape the immunity provided by vaccines and cause contamination with moderate and severe consequences.

known as influenza viruses flu, it also has the capacity to cause serious respiratory ailments, but hardly affects other organs.

Since Kovid is still relatively new, many studies are continuing to understand the mechanisms of the disease, but it is known that other organs such as the brain and heart are also affected during coronavirus infection.

How not to confuse the flu with Covid-19?

This is no easy task. The signs and symptoms of Covid and flu are very similar, and there will always be testing that breaks the equation.

Viruses that cause flu have a shorter incubation period. In most cases, symptoms may already begin to appear the day after contact. Already in covid, the latency of the virus is longer, and the first symptoms appear only 5 days after infection.

Flu symptoms include: high fever, stuffy nose, body aches, chills, coughing secretions, and sore throat.

Despite the similarity, covid symptoms differ according to the type of cough and add some symptoms.

Cough from COVID is dry and can lead to diarrhea, changes in smell, taste and a feeling of muscle fatigue in currently circulating strains.

If you suspect that you may have covid, you can do a quick test that you can find in pharmacies. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than two weeks.

Do I still need to protect myself against covid?

Non-stop! The best way to fight any disease will always be prevention.

In the covid case, which still has no specific treatment, care and prevention are of great importance. In this case, we have as allies a variety of vaccines available in public and private health networks.

There’s even a new ally in prevention, bivalent vaccine available in health centers and acting as a supplement to starting doses.

As with the flu vaccines, the covid vaccines also entered the vaccination calendar of the SUS (United Health System).

Another form of prevention is to maintain good immunity by keeping your health up to date. Physical exercises and good nutrition practice help the body become stronger to fight any disease.

While we take care of ourselves, we also take care of others. If you have flu-like symptoms, choose to wear a mask and don’t neglect basic hygiene care such as washing your hands.

The pandemic is not over, stay tuned for signs and symptoms and seek medical attention if your symptoms persist.