Colds, flu, sore throat, runny nose… The cold of winter usually comes with its share of health problems. These little ailments are practically part of our daily life during the cold season. But this year with the spread of the coronavirus, which has symptoms in common with traditional winter illnesses, it is often difficult to tell them apart. Dr Moussayer Khadija, specialist in internal medicine and geriatrics, shares with the readers of “Matin” everything there is to know on this subject.
Morning: Each year, the winter season favors the outbreak of several infections. This year with the spread of Covid-19, is this type of disease more difficult to manage?
Dr Khadija Moussayer : Indeed, in winter, many viruses are present, they are each year at the origin of epidemics of influenza, gastroenteritis and bronchiolitis. Respiratory viruses are responsible for colds, nasopharyngitis, seasonal flu, bronchitis and bronchiolitis in children. Rotaviruses are responsible for gastroenteritis. These seasonal winter viruses are transmitted via respiratory droplets emitted during coughs, sneezes or by postilions and saliva or during direct contact of the hands of one person with another or by contact with objects. contaminated. These are also the same routes of transmission of Covid-19 and, therefore, the same means of prevention used against Covid-19 are effective in protecting against winter viruses. The latter are also the cause of serious forms in vulnerable people such as influenza in the elderly or gastroenteritis in young children. This year, it was found that these diseases linked to these winter viruses have experienced a real decrease thanks to the measures taken against the coronavirus.
How can we deal with winter infections?
To guard against winter viruses, it is recommended to adopt barrier gestures: wear a disposable mask as soon as the first signs appear (fever, cough, sneezing) to protect others, in particular the elderly, babies, or people with chronic illnesses or pregnant women. Hand washing is essential to fight against these winter infections. It is also recommended to use a disposable tissue to blow your nose, sneeze or cough in the bend of the elbow so as not to soil your hands, other vectors of winter viruses.
And how not to confuse a cold or the flu and Covid-19?
Seasonal flu and Covid-19 do indeed cause similar symptoms marked by respiratory manifestations, hence the risk of confusion between the two viral infections. Both viruses cause a runny nose, fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, and even loss of taste and smell. Their degree of severity is also very varied: while some subjects are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, others have serious manifestations or even die.
Despite these similarities, there are differences between the two infections in terms of the incubation time which is the time between infection and the onset of symptoms. Influenza has a shorter incubation period than Covid-19: between 1 and 3 days for influenza compared to 3 to 5 days (sometimes up to 14 days) for Covid-19.
The flu also spreads faster than the Covid-19, the interval between the 2 cases which follow one another on the chain of transmission is 5 to 6 days for the Covid-19 while this serial interval for the flu is 3 days.
Covid-19 has higher rates of severe forms and complications than the flu. Among the complications of a coronavirus infection: acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal failure, even multi-organ failure …
The PCR test performed on a nasal swab remains the only tool to differentiate between the two respiratory infections.
Since the start of the pandemic, it has been noticed that people are consuming more dietary supplements and vitamins to improve their immune systems. What do you think of this type of behavior? Is it safe for health?
The immune system is, in fact, our best defense against infection by the coronavirus, it is made up of multiple players: organs and cells. To strengthen your immune system, you have to focus on a balanced diet, good quality sleep and fight against stress. We must also take care of the skin and mucous membranes. These are physical barriers that are the body’s first line of defense and manufacture substances that help destroy germs and thus prevent them from entering the body.
Regular physical activity and a healthy lifestyle play an important role in strengthening the immune system. In addition, a varied and balanced diet provides all the nutrients for the functioning of the body and the immune system. Food supplements should not be taken without medical supervision, as they may cause an overdose which may lead to heart problems or interactions with other medications, thus hampering their effectiveness.
And what exactly are the right reflexes to improve your immune system without harming your health?
Having a good level of vitamin D in the body is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. Vitamin D stimulates the production of T lymphocytes of killer cells which deploy as soon as a pathogen considered dangerous enters the body in order to eliminate it. Vitamin D will allow them to activate, and if its concentration in the blood is too low, these T lymphocytes will not be activated and the immune response will be reduced.
Having a good quality microbiota (formerly known as intestinal flora) is also essential. They are microorganisms made up of bacteria, viruses, parasites and non-pathogenic fungi that are found in our digestive tract. They represent 2 to 10 times the number of cells in our body. These microorganisms protect the body from the intrusion of harmful bacteria and viruses. A bad diet and the abuse of drugs, in particular antibiotics, impair this invaluable means of defense of the organism which is the microbiota.
Finally, are people suffering from autoimmune diseases more vulnerable to the sores of winter? And how can they protect themselves?
People with autoimmune diseases, a set of diseases where the immune system instead of protecting us attacks the body’s own constituents, are more susceptible to infections, especially those with systemic lupus or are under immunosuppressive treatment, a viral infection can also make the underlying disease worse. To overcome this vulnerability, people affected by autoimmune diseases causing immunosuppression must strengthen their barrier measures during this pandemic period and protect themselves through vaccination. However, the effectiveness of vaccines may be reduced due to a lower ability to produce antibodies. In addition, live or attenuated vaccines are contraindicated.
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