How doctors can differentiate COVID-19 from winter illness

AsCOVID19 cases are increasing in the state and country health experts say with winter setting in the number might increase further especially since upper and lower respiratory tract infections are also on the rise They warn that doctors must be extra vigilant to distinguish between winterrelated ailments and COVID19A sudden increase in the number of new COVID cases are evidence of community transmission that has now reached the fullblown phase said Dr Subhash Hira professor of Global Health at the University of WashingtonSeattle USA and health advisor to several Indian and African health agencies Some anecdotal cases of reinfection that are reported from Bengaluru and are being labelled by some in the media as the second wave of the COVID19 pandemic is not correct scientific terminology he saidWith winter about to set in the northern hemisphere Dr Antony Fauci of NIH and Dr Robert Redfield of CDC Atlanta the USA have warned of a doublewhammy this year wherein existing COVID cases will be joined by winter influenzas and other viral infections These coinfections will raise newer treatment challenges for doctors and hospitals That is further likely to strain the overburdened health systems in the USCanada and Europe Dr Hira said Indian winters may pose a similar challenge especially in the northern statesAlso ReadAll you need to know about Russias COVID19 vaccine Sputnik VDr Wiqar Shaikh senior allergy and asthma specialist said There is always a steep increase in certain ailments with the onset of winter where the temperature drops these include influenza asthma and bronchitis pneumonia viral and bacterial streptococcal sore throat heart attacks etc Viral infections are known to increase with a change in temperature The moment there is fluctuation in temperature in a given geographical area organisms particularly viruses enter these areasResidents of Vini Garden complex get tested for COVID19 at Mandapeshwar road Borivli on Monday PicSatej ShindeImportant to distinguishWith a drop in temperature usually we see an increase in influenza virus spread which would result in fever cough cold breathlessness etc and these need to be treated with symptomatic and supportive treatment In such cases it is crucial in the current situation to distinguish between an influenza infection and COVID19 Also there are high chances of human error of testing the samples at designated laboratories whose technicians will have to be extra vigilant while checking samples for routine influenza virus vs COVID19 as there are symptoms which are similar pointed Dr ShaikhDr Shaikh further added that during winter with a sudden dip in temperature the entry of cold air into the lungs may trigger an attack of asthma or bronchitis Such patients need to be careful and should be instructed to step up the dose of their inhaled medications and should consult their physicians if there is any aggravation of breathlessness Patients who have cough fever or breathing issues or chest pain in which chances of pneumonia are high particularly in patients with other comorbidities such as blood pressure diabetes etc should seek immediate medical aid he saidAlso ReadCOVID19 Civic workers disinfect public places across the world as countries ease restrictionsAdvice for general practitionersShaikh has some advice to general practitioners practising in government civic and private hospitals stating that they need to be extra vigilant during the winter to distinguish between winter related ailments and COVID19Shaikh added During the monsoon we had witnessed a steep rise in cases of malaria dengue leptospirosis typhoid jaundice and diarrhoea Interestingly this season we have not seen many cases of chikungunya and swine flu Though there is a definite increase in the number of COVID19 cases in the past few weeks and the possibility of a second wave of the virus with the onset of winter this might turn out to be a challenge in the absence of medicine and a vaccine The only solution therefore for COVID19 is the development of herd immunity which we feel will come in sooner or laterTowards herd immunityDr Ketan Vagholkar professor of Surgery DY Patil Medical College said With the advent of winter seasonal febrile disorders such as flu common cold and many other fevers are known to increase Taking into consideration the seriousness of COVID19 it is important that doctors consider it as the primary cause for febrile illness There is also a high likelihood that COVID19 could still exist despite a negative swab Therefore patient education is of utmost importance to prevent delay in diagnosis especially of COVID19Dr Vagholkar added It is advisable for every citizen to report to primary care physicians immediately as soon as they experience even the mildest of symptoms With the unlocking process there is a likelihood of a mild spike in cases of COVID These should not be confused with the usual seasonal flulike diseases typically seen during winter The positive effect is that more and more asymptomatic patients are being tested to be positive This is a slow progression towards herd immunity though the numbers are small considering the average population of cities in our countrySpeaking to midday Dr Fazal Nabi director of the paediatric department Jaslok Hospital said We have seen a steep rise in cases of malaria this season in the paediatric age group which otherwise was under control in the past three years Also cases of dengue though not many so far may be triggered in coming months With winter coming there will be a spike in cases of respiratory infections It is of utmost importance to educate parents to understand the basic difference between common viral symptoms and COVID19 symptomsIdentifying COVID19 symptoms in kids1 In case of a common viral cold the child may have a runny nose and throat congestion In case of COVID19 the child has a dry nose or dry cough2 In case of viral fever the child may have high fever on day one and subsequently the fever may come down to normal on day two and three In case of COVID19 the fever may or may not exist3 In case of normal viral fever the body ache comes in the initial days while in case of COVID19 the body ache may persist even without fever4 In case of viral fever the child is absolutely fine within three to four days of treatment However in case of COVID19 after a week to 10 days of treatment in some cases there are chances of developing post COVID multisystem inflammatory wherein the child develops fever skin rashes or redness of skin etc which can be treatedThe positive effect is that more and more asymptomatic patients are being tested and turning out to be positive This is a slow progression towards herd immunity though the numbers are small considering the average population of cities in our countryDr Ketan Vagholkar professor of Surgery DY Patil Medical CollegePatients who have cough fever breathing issues or chest pain in which chances of pneumonia are high particularly those with comorbidities such as blood pressure diabetes etc should seek immediate medical aidDr Wiqar Shaikh senior allergy and asthma specialistA sudden increase in the number of new COVID cases is evidence of community transmission that has now reached the fullblown phaseDr Subhash Hira University of WashingtonSeattleWith winter coming there will be a spike in respiratory infections It is of utmost importance to especially educate parents to understand the basic difference between common viral symptoms and COVID19 symptomsDr Fazal Nabi Jaslok HospitalKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news