Today, the whole world is in panic: people are infected with a new type of virus. The course of the disease is very similar to the common cold or flu. However, in a situation with coronavirus, treatment started on time plays a key role and can save many patients from death.
Let's understand the concepts
First of all, it is necessary to understand how swine flu and coronavirus differ, as well as to identify the main differences between the new disease and bird flu.
What is coronavirus COVID-19
The first case of infection with the COVID-19 virus was recorded in the Chinese city of Wuhan. It was there that the outbreak of the disease began, which today has enveloped almost the whole world. This strain belongs to the group of zoonotic infections that can affect the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract.
The group of coronoviruses has been known since 1965, but in most cases they are susceptible to mutations. Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.
The main route of transmission is airborne. The incubation period is from 14 to 21 days. In most cases, coronavirus infection in the early stages is asymptomatic. Early diagnosis can only be made with the help of specific laboratory tests for the presence of certain immunoglobulins.
The main symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- a sharp increase in body temperature above 38.5 0 C;
- suffocating dry cough (unproductive).
As the viral form replicates, a person produces a large amount of sputum that is difficult to pass. Because of this, possible attacks of suffocation. The main risk group for morbidity from coronavirus includes people over 50 years old.
What is swine flu
The swine flu pandemic was recorded in 2009. The strain was given the name H1N1. The risk group for this disease includes young children, pregnant women and patients with chronic respiratory diseases.
With the timely treatment of the patient in a medical institution, the disease proceeds without complications. In some cases, doctors diagnose an atypical form of pneumonia, which is fatal in 50% of cases.
An important feature of swine flu is that it is transmitted exclusively from person to person. In the case of the COVID-19 coronavirus, animals can be the carrier of the pathogen.
The main symptoms of swine flu include:
- high body temperature;
- aches and pains in the joints;
- severe headache;
- nasal congestion, sneezing, etc.
In severe cases, patients experience blue lips. breathing difficulties and heart palpitations. This disease began to spread from Mexico, in 2009 the WHO declared a swine flu pandemic. The main route of transmission is airborne (when sneezing or coughing from a sick person to a healthy one).
What is chicken flu
Refers to strains of influenza group A, primarily detected in poultry (chickens, geese, etc.), less often in pigs. Human infection occurs through close direct contact with a sick animal. Like other zoonotic infections, avian flu can be mild or severe. In the first case, a person has an increased body temperature, cough and runny nose. For treatment, antipyretic drugs and symptomatic therapy are used. In severe cases, a viral form of SARS is diagnosed. The treatment of such patients involves being in a hospital, most often it ends in the death of the patient.
In 2013, an outbreak of the disease was recorded in some parts of China. Influenza quickly spread throughout Europe and the CIS countries. To combat the disease, poultry was completely destroyed. It is worth noting that it was not possible to completely get rid of the bird flu strain. To control the spread of the disease, it is necessary to conduct thorough sanitary and epidemiological control not only for poultry, but also for wild species (especially for waterfowl).
For the diagnosis of avian influenza, as well as other zoonotic infections, laboratory studies of biomaterials are used by the polymerase chain reaction method. It is important to contact a medical institution at the first signs of the disease, this will help to make an early diagnosis and start timely treatment.
Are the ways of infection, symptoms, etc. similar in diseases
The transmission routes for all three diseases are similar: the pathogen enters the body of a healthy person upon contact with a sick person (sneezing, coughing, etc.). It is worth noting that the COVID-19 coronavirus tends to keep its vital activity on various metal surfaces (door handles, doors, etc.). That is why doctors recommend being in public places and transport to avoid contact of hands with eyes, lips.
Swine, bird flu and coronavirus are transmitted from person to person who are less than 1.5 meters apart. It is recommended to keep a safe distance and wear special respirators in crowded places (they stop the virus from entering the upper respiratory organs).
The difference between swine flu and coronavirus infection is that the former is never transmitted from animals. In the case of COVID-19 and avian flu, pets can be carriers of the pathogen.
There are also differences in the duration of the incubation period for each of the diseases. For swine and bird flu, it is 5-7 days, in the case of the COVID-19 virus, up to 21 days.
Which is worse and more dangerous: COVID-19, swine or chicken flu
Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to the question of which of these diseases is worse or more dangerous. In each case, early and accurate diagnosis plays an important role. Zootrophic viruses can cause an atypical form of pneumonia, the percentage of death in case of improper treatment is very high. Specialists focus on the fact that bird and swine flu are not well studied, there are test systems and vaccines for these strains. Cases of infection with a coronavirus infection such as COVID-19 have not yet been fully studied. In severe cases of the course of the disease, the patient must be under a ventilator.
It is important to note that the first symptoms of these diseases are very similar. A feature of the COVID-19 virus is that the pathogen can be in a latent form for a long time and will not manifest itself in any way in a certain person (the immune system copes with it asymptomatically). However, he does not cease to be a carrier even when in contact with a person who has a weakened immune system, the COVID-19 virus quickly penetrates and begins active reproduction.
The danger of coronavirus is that a vaccine has not yet been developed to combat COVID-19 (vaccination against other types of influenza can be done at any medical institution). Thus, among the preventive measures, there are observance of personal hygiene rules (proper and frequent washing of hands), maximum isolation from large crowds of people, proper nutrition, the use of special protective masks or respirators, ventilation of premises, treatment of surfaces and floors with special antiseptic solutions. . At the first unpleasant symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.