A Covid-19 pandemic If before almost no one talked about social isolation, after the emergence of the coronavirus, we discovered that this is one of the best ways to prevent the transmission of the disease. But should this behavior also extend to other communicable diseases, such as the flu? Learn whether isolation is necessary with the flu and how many days it takesbarring transmission.

Read more: Flu vaccine needs to be reapplied every year: find out why

Should I isolate myself with the flu?

Those with mild flu symptoms should do isolation, however, unlike Covid However, if you have a fever, the quarantine should only end 24 hours after this symptom disappears.

According to the Regional Council of Pharmacies of the State of São Paulo, the incubation time of the virus that causes the flu can reach up to 14 days in the case of children and up to seven days in adults.people to isolate themselves for these periods, even with mild symptoms.

How Transmission Occurs

Influenza is a respiratory virus, that is, the transmission occurs in a similar way as with the coronavirus. cough In addition, it is even more common to contract influenza by touching contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of the flu are:

• High fever - above 38º - and sudden
• Nasal constipation
• Sore throat
• Sneezes
• Coryza
• Pain in the body
• Chills
• Cough
• Joint pain
• Headache
• Moleza

In some cases, vomiting and diarrhea may occur, but these manifestations are infrequent and more common in children.

Influenza isolation and vaccine help prevention

A Influenza Vaccine is the best way to prevent H3N2 flu, so it is recommended for everyone 6 months and older, including older children and adolescents. In addition, all healthcare workers should also receive the annual vaccine, as it helps reduce the risks related to transmission of the virus.

In addition to the vaccine and social isolation during the recommended period, other ways to prevent infection are to always wash your hands and frequent ventilated environments, and measures that are similar to those taken to prevent covid-19: use of a mask and alcohol gel.

Read more: Reasons to get the flu vaccine, according to experts

Treatment

The most appropriate treatment includes good hydration and rest. In addition, painkillers and anti-thermics such as paracetamol and dipyrone can be used to relieve the symptoms.

People at high risk of complications, such as children under 5, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, for example, should consult a doctor to evaluate antiviral treatment.

H3N2 and Covid-19 influenza: how to differentiate?

The main similarity between the diseases is in transmission: both are transmitted through the air. In this sense, H3N2 influenza has This is why it is common to confuse the two diseases. To differentiate between them, it is necessary to perform a PCR test to be sure which virus is responsible for the infection.

Despite having similar symptoms, influenza has a lower case fatality rate, between 0.1% and 0.2%, while Covid has between 1% and 2%. The difference is also in the severity of the initial signs of influenza, as they are stronger than those presented by people with Covid who have already received vaccines.

Read more: Schedule your flu vaccine

Source: Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases and Regional Council of Pharmacies of the State of São Paulo.