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COPD vs COVID-19 vs Pneumonia vs Seasonal Flu: Many people mistake these four types of different diseases.

There is a thin line between COPD, COVID, Pneumonia, and Seasonal flu because the symptoms are pretty much similar one outweighing the other.

The year 2020 will be remembered through our history as the most exclamatory year of the human race. The greatest economies of the world had been locked down, every human shut themselves up in their homes fearing the transmission of the deadly virus, and many who had been unfortunately contracted with the virus were panicking about their conditions, and some even fought bravely until their last breath.

Roughly a year into the pandemic it’s clear the new virus is worse than seasonal flu, COPD, or even Pneumonia itself.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as we’d call it, is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Many people who fall sick experience mild to moderate symptoms. The main risk age group are the senior citizens above 50, children, and people with a history of diseases like COPD, and Pneumonia.

About 80% of people recover fully from COVID-19 without any medical treatment but the serious question lies in when will it end and why is there still fear and confusion between diseases such as normal flu, COPD, or pneumonia with Covid-19 in the community?

To declutter the unnecessary confusion we must first understand what these diseases are and how is it similar but not the same as Covid. 

Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, the sacs may be filled with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing patients to cough with phlegm or pus. Additional symptoms include fever, chills, and difficulty in breathing.

COVID-19 may cause pneumonia, which can become severe. Many germs including coronavirus, bacteria, and fungi can cause pneumonia. Most common are bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe. Your natural immune system usually prevents these germs from infecting your lungs. But sometimes these germs can overpower your immune system, even if your health is generally good. 

On the other hand, People with COPD are also more likely to develop pneumonia. It is dangerous for people with COPD because it causes an increased risk of respiratory failure by making breathing difficult and causing blocked airways. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a collection of lung diseases when your body is either not getting enough oxygen or isn’t successfully removing carbon dioxide.

Doctors can’t say exactly how much risk your COPD can add but COVID-19 is likely to make you sicker than it does with the people who don’t have the condition. It puts you at a higher risk group. The three key things to look for are fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

COPD typically doesn’t give you a fever. If you run a temperature, about 100.4 F or above, along with other COVID-19 symptoms but not limited to tiredness, aches, pains, sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, a rash on the skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes, chest pain or pressure, loss of speech or movement. 

Understanding these signs and consulting your doctor or seeking immediate medical attention from your nearest health center can prevent its spread. On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

HOW IT SPREADS

Coronavirus is mainly transmitted through droplets, when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or exhales. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air and it falls on floors or surfaces quickly. Transmission occurs when breathing in the virus if you are within close proximity of someone who has been infected with COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose, or mouth.

CONCLUSION

Covid-19 has changed the world we live in and people are starting to adapt again to the new normal. Such as wearing masks, cleaning hands, and maintaining a safe distance. However, Vaccines are already out yet but hasn’t been much effective to the whole world.

World Health Organization first learned of this new virus on 31 December 2019, following a report of a cluster of cases of ‘viral pneumonia’ in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China. With 52-weeks going strong the coronavirus as of 27th January 2021, has infected 270,092 people in the country and has already killed 2017 people. And is still on the verge to affect many more lives till an effective vaccine is out to the world.

On the bright side, the first trial phase of the Covid-19 vaccine is launching from today onwards around 430,000 frontline workers such as Doctors, nurses, supporting staffers at health facilities, community health volunteers, security personnel, sanitation workers, and elderly people living in care homes are the first to receive jabs of the vaccine in 65 districts across the country, an official report says.

Nippon medical center is a government-approved medical center that is authorized to conduct medical tests of emigrant workers and students for foreign employment.