Following a recent influenza outbreak in China, medical professionals have issued a warning about the concomitant hazards of sporadic COVID-19 and influenza, as reported by the Global Times. For the purpose of clarity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a report on the similarities and differences between influenza and COVID-19.
“Among the 507 influenza outbreak…in 17 provinces between 4 April and 19 June, 503 were in southern China, a sharp increase from the 136 in 2021 in the same period,” said the latest report by the Chinese National Influenza Center (CNIC), according to the Global Times report. 10 or more cases of the disease is considered an influenza outbreak. (https://www.winecountry.com/)
“Driven by huge demand, influenza antiviral drugs such as Oseltamivir are in short supply in many pharmacies of southern China,” added the news report.
COVID-19 and influenza have similar symptoms
It is impossible to tell the difference between the flu and COVID-19 simply by observing the symptoms because the diseases have similar symptoms, according to CDC. Testing is therefore required to identify the condition and confirm a diagnosis. Testing is crucial because it can show whether a person is simultaneously suffering from the flu and COVID-19.
The news report said that “the Xiamen (city) health commission in Fukian suggested (pediatricians) to not get involved with COVID-19 related work so as to better deal with high flu season among children.”
The report also says that health officials in other provinces have issued “alerts over the high prevalence of influenza and hospitals (have) adjusted measures to avoid crowded line-up and concentrated presence in public places.”