How COVID differs from a common cold, when to run to the doctor, and when you can treat yourself at home — top tips from a therapist for the cold season

What diseases are most common in autumn and why does the risk of falling ill increase specifically during the autumn period?

With the onset of cold weather, we experience a deficiency of several important resources at once: sunlight, warmth, vitamins and minerals, fresh air, and physical activity. Meanwhile, it's much easier to contract ARVI, as people spend more time indoors, in contact with each other, which increases the likelihood of human-to-human virus transmission.

How to distinguish a common cold from the flu or COVID-19?

By symptoms, these diseases are similar in many ways, but also have their differences.

First, the flu is characterized by a sudden deterioration in the patient's condition, while with COVID-19, symptoms appear gradually, and their severity increases. In the vast majority of infected people, the flu causes a rise in body temperature to 38‑39 degrees. With coronavirus, the indicator depends on the form of the disease's course.

How do ARVI, ARI, and the flu differ from each other?

ARI (Acute Respiratory Illness) — a general term for diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tracts. ARI often presents with bright symptoms, is transmitted by airborne droplets, and less often by contact. The infection spreads more frequently through coughing and sneezing. The main sign is inflammation of the mucous membranes, or catarrhal-respiratory syndrome. Individual symptoms depend on the localization of the inflammatory process:

ARVI (Acute Respiratory Viral Infection) — one of the types of ARI. This is an infection of the upper or lower respiratory tract caused only by viruses. More than 200 ARVI pathogens are known. Viral respiratory infections often occur in the form of seasonal epidemics, and sometimes cover entire continents and lead to pandemics.

Influenza (Flu) — is a disease from the ARVI group. The severity of the illness depends on the type of virus. The disease is more severe than most other viral infections and more often causes complications.

Influenza viruses are characterized by constant variability of their surface antigens. Due to this, new vaccines must be created annually.

When should you consult a doctor, and when can you treat yourself at home?

At the slightest health problems, do not ignore your body's signals. It is best to consult a doctor immediately and start timely treatment to avoid complications. A timely doctor's examination will allow most diseases to be detected at an early stage. Subsequently, after consulting with the doctor, the patient can continue treatment at home. And here's what's important to understand: this is a two-way street. The doctor gives the patient recommendations and, accordingly, hopes that the patient will follow them. Only then is a good outcome possible.

What role does influenza vaccination play?

Vaccination plays a leading role in:

• preventing the disease itself;
• reducing the severity of its course;
• preventing complications, such as pneumonia.

After vaccination, the likelihood of contracting the flu remains, but the illness will proceed in a milder form and will not be as prolonged.

Modern influenza vaccines are safe and provide immunity against several of the most common strains. Vaccination is especially indicated for:

• children, pregnant women;
• people with chronic diseases and the elderly;
• medical workers, employees of educational institutions, utility services, and transport.

Should you take vitamins or immunomodulators to strengthen immunity?

Vitamins and immunomodulators can be taken, but only with a proven deficiency and by a doctor's prescription, as an excess can be harmful.

B vitamins, vitamins C, A, E, D, and minerals such as zinc, selenium, iron, and copper, beneficial fats — omega-3 fatty acids — are the most important components of immunity.

Storage and prolonged heating destroy vitamins in food, so it is advisable to consume fresh foods with minimal heat treatment.

Should you start taking antiviral drugs immediately as soon as you feel unwell?

No. It should be remembered that to assess your health condition, you need to consult a doctor.

Most people with cold symptoms (runny nose, cough, sore throat) do not require special treatment. In consultation with a doctor, patients can take measures to alleviate symptoms and prevent the spread of the virus. However, in rare cases, a viral infection can lead to a bacterial one, such as pneumonia, which requires the use of antibiotics.

Many people, as soon as they feel unwell, rush to take antibiotics. Tell us, in which cases are they prescribed and can you prescribe them to yourself? When is antibiotic use justified?

Antibiotics are prescribed to fight bacterial infections, not viral ones (such as ARVI, flu), and they should not be self-prescribed. Self-treatment is dangerous because the wrong choice of drug can be useless or even worsen the condition.

Also, incorrect use of antibiotics leads to the development of bacterial resistance, can be ineffective in viral diseases, and cause complications and side effects. The main rule is to use antibiotics only when they are absolutely necessary.

To understand whether antibiotics or antiviral drugs are needed, you need to determine the cause of the illness. Their use is justified for signs of an acute bacterial infection only after a doctor's examination and prescription.

Any antibiotics should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor!

What preventive measures are most effective during the autumn period?

I want to emphasize that vaccination is the most reliable, safe, and scientifically proven protection.

Another important non-specific prevention is strengthening immunity. Balanced nutrition, physical activity, sufficient sleep, maintaining hand hygiene, ventilating rooms, wearing masks, avoiding crowded places. It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle. And most importantly — a positive attitude! It is precisely this that will help you get through autumn with a smile and avoid falling ill.

What would you advise people with chronic diseases during this period?

First of all, it is necessary to get vaccinated in a timely manner. In vaccinated individuals, the flu usually proceeds without complications.

In addition, do not self-medicate. If you fall ill, consult a doctor and strictly follow their instructions.

Here are some simple but very important tips:

• Eat a balanced diet.
• Follow a sleep schedule.
• Stay active.
• Avoid bad habits.
• Observe hygiene rules
• Wash your hands frequently with soap or use disinfectants, especially after visiting public places.
• Ventilate rooms.
• Dress according to the weather.

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