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Friday, March 29, 2024

Coronavirus vs. Flu: Knowing the difference

Credit: WTVA ABC Tupelo, MS
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Coronavirus vs. Flu: Knowing the difference
Coronavirus vs. Flu: Knowing the difference
We break down the difference between the Coronavirus and the Flu.

Or that it will just go away --- this is your wake up call... if it hasn't already... your life is about to change... the director of the national institute of allergy and infections diseases issued a disturbing warning... american's everywhere need to change the way they live their lives... right now ... or one case ."

"we would like the country to realize that as a nation, we can't be doing the kinds of things we were doing a few months ago.

It doesn't matter if you're in a state that has no cases or one case," right now... there are over 12 hundred confirmed cases in the country... and top infectious disease experts warn that it's going to get worse before it gets better... the main concern is getting ahead of the situation before our nation's health-care system is overwhelmed... many comparisons have been drawn between coronavirus and the flu... so let's put that into context... the centers for disease control estimates that between october first and february 29th... there have been more than 34 million cases of the flu in the u- s... 350 thousand of them required hospitalization... more than 20 thousand people have died... compare that to the latest coronavirus number... which are rising daily... there are at least 12 hundred cases in the u-s... and at least 35 deaths... when looking at the numbers... the flu looks to be the much higher threat... so where do we set our gauges?... health experts say the fatality rate on seasonal flu is right around one tenth of a percent... that's point 1 percent... so what about covid-19??

Arms around and understan ."

I think if you count all the cases of minimally symptomatic or asymptomatic infection, that probably brings the mortality rate down to somewhere around 1%, which means it is 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu.

I think that's something that people can get their arms around and understand."

That's why you're hearing so much about coronavirus right now ... the rapid spread is why the world health organization has declared a global pandemic ... we have our first presumptive case here in mississippi ... but that doesn't mean you have to panic... but you should take precautions... the first step is to be informed -- and that's why we're talking about it... so here's what you need to know,, and what we're going to cover ... how it spreads ... prevention and treatment ... symptoms... and what to do if you're sick ... the virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another -- within about 6 feet -- through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes... it also may be possible that a person can get covid-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes... right now,, the c-d-c says the virus seems to be spreading easily,, and that's why there's so much concern ..

Some people are at a greater risk than others of getting the virus ... that's older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease -- diabetes --- and lung disease ... if you are at risk because of your age or health ,, it's extra important for you to take actions to reduce the chances you'll get sick ... the c-d-c recommends you avoid contact with people who are sick ... wash your hands often,, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds ... if soap and water aren't available ,, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol ... when possible avoid touch high-touch surfaces in public places like elevator buttons, door handles,, and hand rails ... avoid crowds,, especially in poorly ventilated spaces ... and cut out non-essential travel including plane trips and especially cruise ships ..

With all of the news of event cancellations,,, empty flights and health precautions ,,, it's natural that people may get a little anxious every time they feel a tickle in their throat ..

So when you're not feeling 100 percent,, how do you know what you have?

Let's look at the typical symptoms people suffer when their sick ..

If your eyes are itchy ... if your eyes are itchy ... or you're sneezing and have a runny nose ,, it's probably allergies ... maybe even a garden variety cold ..

Coronavirus and flu symptoms tend to affect the whole body ... things like fever,, feeling tired,, cough,, and body aches ... with the flu,, you typically wont feel shortness of breath unless you have a pre-existing condition like asthma ... and if you have traveled recently or been exposed to someone who may have been exposed to covid 19 -- that's a concern ... to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should... stay home when you're sick... cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash... clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces... while this new virus resembles the flu in terms of physical symptoms... there is one huge difference... the lack of a vaccine... or even any treatment shown to be consistently effective... while some trials have shown promise... their sample sizes are too small to roll out to the general population... hundreds of researchers around the world are working frantically to find a covid-19 vaccine... but the development process takes months and is likely

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