Seville, January 22 (European News Agency) –
Ana Luongo, emergency services coordinator at Seville’s Vitas Hospital, stressed the importance of going to the emergency room when the overall situation is “very bad” when it comes to colds, flu and other types of viruses.
The hospital explained in a press release that the arrival of colds has led to an increase in emergencies related to respiratory symptoms. Consultations about seemingly repetitive symptoms remind emergency services experts that the most important thing when faced with a respiratory infection is knowing how to distinguish the severity of symptoms.
Luengo explains, “Today, in emergencies, the most common ones are influenza, colds, and different types of respiratory viruses, among which covid-19 is also found.” All these viral infections have one thing in common, “antibiotics do not have any “Because it is a virus, treatment focuses on symptoms,” which reinforces the need to “listen to your doctor and, most importantly, try to avoid new infections.” “.
The most frequent inquiries differentiate between seasonal flu and the common cold due to similar symptoms. “Typically, the flu is similar to a cold, but more intense. Among the symptoms that occur with the flu rather than a cold, the temporary nature is most prominent, so a cold develops gradually, while with the flu, symptoms appear immediately. Fever is what distinguishes the flu Another symptom because it’s less common with a cold,” Luongo stressed.
In addition, the Vitas Seville Emergency Service emphasizes that “when the general situation is very bad, when antipyretics do not reduce the fever, when we have respiratory problems and our saturation levels are lower than usual (this can affect our body Health), we should go to the emergency room.” When a pulse oximeter reading falls below 95-94%, verify it with a pulse oximeter at home. ). You should also go to the emergency room when we do a suction, which is when we pull in the rib area, because you have trouble breathing. It is important to go as soon as possible in these situations. “
One of the main indicators of a seasonal flu infection is the development of muscle pain, called myalgia, when you have a fever. Chills are also associated with the flu, as well as general weakness, headache, and “frequent coughing.” In contrast, the general symptoms of a cold are Sore throat and stuffy nose.”
The mere accumulation of these symptoms already indicates the presence of contagion and must be treated by a specialist, who, in addition to advising to drink plenty of fluids (either water or juice), will be responsible for prescribing “fever-reducing drugs”. For example, use intranasal saline to relieve congestion or suppress cough (if the cough is very persistent).
Finally, the Vitas Seville Emergency Service stresses that “influenza patients spread the virus more often within the first three or four days after the onset of symptoms. Indeed, depending on the individual situation, it is possible to be infected with the virus before symptoms appear “Until a week after they appear,” the contagious disease can be “controlled by using masks and avoiding contact with other people in confined spaces.”