A GP has highlighted essential variations between Covid-19 and flu – and urged folks to get vaccinated as she warned of the dangers posed by the brand new pressure of Covid spreading throughout Europe.
Dr Helen Wall, a Bolton GP and scientific director of inhabitants well being in Higher Manchester, emphasised the significance of getting jabbed to fight a so-called ‘tripledemic’ of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Covid-19, and flu this winter.
Dr Wall has noticed an increase in respiratory sicknesses, with GPs seeing an growing variety of instances as the brand new XEC Covid variant spreads.
Researchers imagine this pressure has a development benefit, spreading extra shortly than different circulating variants, and count on it to change into dominant within the coming months.
Dr Wall famous that latest Covid instances seem extra flu-like than earlier strains, with sufferers experiencing excessive temperatures, coughs, physique aches, and complications, and described the virus as exhausting folks, leaving them feeling “worn out”.
She continued: “We may properly be seeing the brand new Covid variant in follow.
“It appears extra flu-like than earlier strains, with signs comparable to a excessive temperature, cough, and physique aches. Whereas previous variants precipitated extra cough and chilly signs, this one appears to be leaving folks utterly drained.”
Whereas it’s typically tough to distinguish between Covid and flu as a result of overlapping signs, Dr Wall identified a key distinction: these with flu are typically “extraordinarily unwell” and bed-bound.
She defined: “True flu will typically depart you in mattress, unable to perform, whereas Covid can typically be milder, permitting folks to go about their day – unknowingly spreading the virus to others.”
With the winter season approaches, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advisable that adults over 65, these in care properties, and other people with underlying well being situations aged six months to 64 years be provided each the Covid and flu vaccines.
Frontline well being and social care staff are additionally eligible for each vaccinations.
This yr, the NHS is providing the brand new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, alongside the Covid and flu jabs, in an effort to cut back stress on well being providers throughout the ‘tripledemic’.
Dr Wall highlighted a worrying development of fewer folks getting vaccinated in Higher Manchester, stressing the necessity for extra folks to take up the supply of vaccines.
She defined: ““We solely learn about probably the most extreme instances, these in hospitals the place testing continues to be occurring.
“There could also be milder instances circulating in the neighborhood that individuals aren’t conscious of as a result of they haven’t examined.
“That’s why it’s essential to remain on prime of the vaccine programme so we’re ready for no matter winter brings.”
The downturn in vaccinations lately is regarding, however Dr Wall emphasised the significance of getting vaccinated to remain protected towards the unfold of Covid-19, flu, and RSV this winter.
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