Winter mode: what not to miss to avoid respiratory illnesses (and how to differentiate a cold from the flu)

Monday, May 30 was the coldest morning so far in 2022, at least in the metropolitan area. Thermometers dropped to -2.6º, while the wind chill was located a few degrees lower. In fact, in the capital, it was the coldest day in May for 60 years. According to the archives of the Chilean Meteorological Directorate, the phenomenon also covered a good part of the country, since Curicó had that day -3 °, as well as Melipilla. Chillán marked -5°, Temuco -5.6° and Lonquimay, municipality of La Araucanía, the day before reached -12°. And it’s not even winter. Officially, it starts on June 21.

We already know that with the cold some respiratory viruses start to roam, which in the last two years has lost importance in the face of covid-19. These conditions have gone more unnoticed due to confinement and the use of masks, however, with this new normal they have reappeared and with considerable intensity.

Compared to last year on the same date, and according to the latest report from the Institute of Public Health, cases of hospitalization for respiratory viruses have increased by 236%. One of the most intense has been the syncytial virus, which has increased its cases by 120 compared to 2021. A spread difficult to avoid when temperatures drop, stoves are on, it is shared in more closed and reduced spaces and it spreads aerate less. “We are seeing a sharp increase in respiratory viruses, as well as cases of coronavirus,” says Carolina Herrera, bronchopulmonary physician and deputy medical director at the RedSalud Rancagua clinic.

“All of these viruses, including the common cold, affect the respiratory system, so it becomes very complex to differentiate which pathogen is causing the disease,” says Herrera. To find out, the most effective way is to do an antigen test or a PCR test. This way it can be established with certainty whether the discomfort is from a coronavirus infection or another type of condition.

“Apparently new variants of covid produce less severe conditions, largely due to the protection conferred by vaccines,” adds Roberto Olivares, head of infectious diseases at Clínica Dávila. “A cold is characterized by mild symptoms, often nasal congestion and sneezing, while in covid-19 symptoms can include shortness of breath, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat and muscle aches,” explains Herrera. He also adds that the coronavirus “tends to be longer in its symptoms and gives more headaches than a cold”.

If these symptoms appear, the main thing to dispel doubts – and not to infect more people – is to take a test. In case that isn’t possible, Olivares recommends “self-isolating as much as possible and always wearing a mask.” If the picture gets complicated, it is important to get medical advice.

According to the assistant medical director of Clínica RedSalud Rancagua, a cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by a virus, which is usually rhinovirus. “This one generates a lot of congestion, sore throat and sneezing, but it’s a self-limited 4-5 day illness that has no serious complications.”

Also known as the flu, “it is an infection that affects the upper respiratory tract, lungs and other organs, with more intense and severe symptoms,” says Herrera. As for the most frequent symptomatology, there is a sudden high fever (above 38°C), which lasts on average two or three days, although in some cases it can last a week. Accompanied by fever, “fatigue or body weakness may occur, which may become extreme, as well as runny nose or coryza (inflamed nose), headache in the frontal area or generalized, swallowing complications, cough, muscle and joint pain, among others. discomforts.

The problem with the flu is that “it can progress to more serious conditions – such as pneumonia – especially in the elderly, infants, pregnant women or people with chronic illnesses”. The contagion occurs in the same way as the covid: by the droplets of saliva which are expelled by speaking, coughing or sneezing, and which also travel by the hands, which touch surfaces contaminated by respiratory secretions.

“To prevent this seasonal disease, a vaccination campaign is carried out every year, and the Ministry of Health carries out a free campaign for people at high risk of presenting complications: the elderly, pregnant women, infants, children and carriers of diseases chronicles. diseases. “, he informs. The appeal launched by health professionals on these dates is to get vaccinated against the flu to protect themselves and thus reduce the risk of illness and especially hospitalization.

Despite care, vaccination and prevention, no one is immune to a possible flu or cold, especially if we share space with other people or go to crowded places. Before suggesting a measure or an instrument, Herrera explains conceptually that “the common cold is a disease which, in general, will not leave sequelae or endanger life, unlike the flu or the flu, where it is recommended to see a doctor who can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment to relieve symptoms.

“In general, the most prescribed cold medicines are antipyretics, sometimes certain nasal sprays and drops with decongestants, which can help relieve discomfort,” explains the specialist. However, he points out that “treating the symptoms won’t make the cold go away, although it will help you feel better.”

“It is always recommended, when there is fever, headaches or myalgia, paracetamol, certain anti-influenza or anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, which help control symptoms,” says Olivares. On the other hand, Herrera mentions that it is essential to stay well hydrated – either by drinking water or drinking herbal teas – which helps to “decongest and prevent dehydration”. It is also very important to sleep well and not to smoke.

Some people do not leave the stove at this time, and although it is difficult to part with its heat, it is not the most recommended way to go if one wants to avoid colds. According to Herrera, to have a healthy and air-conditioned environment, the temperature should not exceed 19 to 20°C, because the sudden changes between indoors and outdoors “are what favor viral infections”.

Care must also be taken when turning on the heating, because at this time “the medium dries up and, consequently, the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which serves as our first barrier against microorganisms, can be affected,” he added.

The broncho-pulmonary mentions that humans are homeothermic animals, that is to say they have the power to produce their own heat, which must be sufficient to maintain an approximate temperature of 37°C. “If we suddenly drop this temperature, blood viscosity, blood pressure, heart rate and respiration increase, which means physiological stress that can harm health,” he explains.

The important thing is to maintain the greatest number of precautions so as not to generate cooling of the body, such as maintaining the thermal insulation of the house and dressing well both inside and outside the house. . “The ideal is to wear layers of clothing which, if the temperature then rises, can be removed during the day. This prevents perspiration,” recommends the specialist. Among the areas to be protected the most are the feet, the neck and the head, which are the most exposed to the cold. Hats and scarves are simple accessories that significantly reduce heat loss.

It is also relevant to keep the environments inside the house clean, to ventilate the spaces at certain times of the day – twenty minutes is enough – and to “spray a disinfectant spray when possible”, advises Herrera. If we are lucky enough to be in a heated place, we should not dress too warmly to avoid overheating.

Although sudden changes in temperature can favor the onset of a cold, the head of infectiology at the Dávila Clinic explains that we are not necessarily going to get sick if we face one. “To catch a cold, you must first have contracted a respiratory virus, then add certain factors, such as changes in temperature, humidity or cold, which can facilitate the development of a viral infection”, specifies t- -he.

The best way to avoid the common cold is to follow the same measures we’ve heard so much about in recent years to prevent coronavirus: physical distancing, wearing a mask, and washing your hands frequently. To this, Herrera adds “cover your mouth with your elbow when coughing and avoid places with high concentrations of people”.

On days when the temperature is very low, extreme caution should be exercised with those who cannot express that they are cold, warns the bronchopulmonary. That is, “with infants, people who are bedridden, people with language problems and those who are isolated without help”.

“The effects of cold on the body can range from an immediate feeling of discomfort to effects in the days to come, favoring respiratory diseases, decompensating chronic diseases or even increasing mortality”, specifies the specialist.

“It is important that people do not expose themselves to the cold unnecessarily, that they wear several layers of clothing, because they provide more warmth than a single warm garment”, advises Herrera. He also mentions that on cold days it is better not to practice physical activity outdoors, so as not to expose yourself to sudden changes.

One way that greatly reduces the chances of having a complicated flu picture – as well as infecting your loved ones – is to get vaccinated against it. To know how and where you can do it, you can consult the official calendar of the ministry of health , where they report the places where they administer vaccines —including the fourth dose of covid—, in addition to schedules and other relevant information. Remember that those who are not up to date with the vaccination scheme against the coronavirus are already suffering from a blockage of their mobility pass.

To check the status of your mobility pass, you must enter the site “I vaccinate” and fill in your access credentials. Once inside, in the “My vaccines” section, you can check if the pass has been blocked or if it can be reactivated, depending on the vaccination schedule.

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