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Anyone who is sick now faces the anxious question of what the reason is: a cold or an infection with the new corona virus? 20 minutes show which symptoms stand for what.
Being sick is never nice. But it’s not that bad when you know what you’re suffering from, so you can act accordingly to be healthy again as soon as possible.
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This is particularly important this year. Because even though most people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus survive the disease well, sufferers must be identified to prevent further infections, especially among high-risk patients.
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Below you will find out which symptoms indicate which type of infection and which ones speak against it. Frequently occurring disease symptoms are con +++ marked, sometimes occurs with ++. Symptoms that rarely occur are con + shown, rarely occurs with – and those that don’t even appear with -.
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Cold, flu or Corona? Some people are likely to face this question now and in the coming months.
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Only certified tests provide certainty.
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But there are also clues that can be used to identify at least one trend (see image gallery).
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According to the new study, there is also a symptom that occurs exclusively with Covid-19 and affects the majority of those affected.
As it becomes more and more uncomfortable outside, the number of infections also increases. Not for nothing are autumn and winter considered the typical periods of colds and flu. In 2020, with Covid-19, another infectious disease has been added, which can represent a risk especially – but not only – for those with previous illnesses.
The problem: At the start of Covid 19 disease, its symptoms are similar to those of the common cold and flu. It is therefore hardly possible for lay people to recognize which pathogen is responsible for the complaints. An infection with the new type of coronavirus can clearly only be clarified using the newly approved PCR tests or rapid corona tests.
Loss of taste and smell
In order to assess whether you are more likely to suffer from the flu, cold or even Covid-19, it is advisable to keep an eye on your symptoms and, if in doubt, register for a crown test and, if necessary, as a precaution. isolate so as not to infect and endanger other people.
You can find out which early symptoms indicate Covid-19 and which ones are most likely to be flu or cold in the image gallery above.
Researchers led by Rachel Batterham of University College London (UCL) described early October in the journal “Plos Medicine” which signs of disease a corona test is almost mandatory. According to them, the loss of smell and / or taste is an almost unequivocal indication of Covid-19.
“Our results show that the loss of smell and taste is a very reliable indicator that someone may have Covid-19,” Batterham said. In the study, four out of five people who had previously experienced one tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies, according to a statement. On the other hand, very few had cough and fever (see box).
For the study, 567 participants who had previously experienced loss of smell and taste underwent a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test. This was the case for 77.6% of the subjects. Interesting: Of the patients who had the antibodies, 39.8% had neither cough nor fever, as the additional survey of participants revealed. Another finding: For people with Covid-19 with a loss of smell, the likelihood of having antibodies to the new coronavirus was nearly three times greater than for participants with a loss of taste. The research team concludes from this that odor loss is a highly specific symptom of Covid-19.
The measures must be adapted
According to the researchers, the new findings should “be taken more into account” in measures to counter the further spread of Sars-CoV-2. So far, very few countries would recommend self-isolation and testing due to acute loss of smell and taste. However, the study suggests “that excessive dependence on cough and fever as the main symptoms of Covid-19 may be wrong.”
It is time for the loss of both senses “to be urgently recognized worldwide as a key symptom.” The leader of the study Batterham specifies: “Early self-detection of Covid-19 symptoms by the public, as well as rapid self-isolation and PCR testing are crucial to limit the spread of the disease.”
Days get shorter, temperatures drop, and people spend more time in poorly ventilated rooms with dry air. This and other factors increase the risk of viral diseases, especially when our immune systems are weakened. But this can be reinforced.
Mr. Schmid *, how can you strengthen your immune system?
I recommend a healthy lifestyle: a balanced diet rich in fiber – this is important for a good intestinal flora – and lots of exercise in the open air. Those who maintain a balanced day-night rhythm, go through life in a positive mood and take enough time for themselves also strengthen their immune systems. Social contacts are also important, at the moment obviously always accompanied by adequate hygiene measures and social distancing.
Do food supplements help?
A deficiency of zinc and selenium trace elements is particularly common in the Central European population. This leads to an increased susceptibility to infections. Consequently, the media that contain them make perfect sense. However, only if they are taken specifically and in the correct dosage. For prevention with zinc, 10-20 mg are effective. For the treatment of acute colds – this means: within the first 24 hours after the first symptoms appear – up to 100 mg is needed. Selenium has proven effective as a prophylaxis, taken during the winter months. Low levels of vitamin D3 in the blood also weaken our immune system. During the cold season, poor solar irradiation can lead to chronic under-supply, especially in older people, but also in people who work in the office and are not often out. The targeted intake of vitamin D3 is therefore very valuable as a protection against viral infections during the winter months. Always during or after a meal, never on an empty stomach. And the same goes for vitamin C: taken at the right time, in the right dosage, it can lead to a reduction in the duration of the disease or even a milder course of the disease.
What should I do if I have cold or flu symptoms?
I think it makes sense to go to the pharmacy for advice in such situations. Important: if you have a cold, always and without exception wear a protective mask – even before entering the pharmacy – and pay even more attention to disinfecting your hands. Keep enough distance, as this is the only way to protect yourself and others.
* Lorenz Schmid is a pharmacist and president of the Zurich Pharmacist Association AVKZ.
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