Raleigh physician: Increase in colds, flu add to COVID-19 concerns and require more vigilance
Given reports of the incredibly contagious nature of the omicron variant of coronavirus, someone feeling sick might assume that's what they have.
Posted — UpdatedHowever, some parts of the country have reported more severe cases of the common cold and flu.
Health experts said while those illnesses were less of an issue at the start of the pandemic two years ago, that may no longer be the case.
Adelman said he believes after a long period of lock downs, masks and social distancing, people's immune systems may be weaker against the flu.
"I worry about the flu becoming an epidemic, along with COVID," said Adelman.
Some symptoms of COVID-19 may be similar to the common cold and the flu, and could lead more people to seek COVID-19 tests. But, health experts said there are certain symptoms to look for when deciding whether to get a COVID-19 test.
"If they are having a fever over 100.4 ... I'd reccomend them get tested," said Adelman.
He added people shouldn't let their guard down with colds, the flu or coronavirus.
"I would recommend people still wear masks," said Adelman. "I don’t see a down side to wearing masks, and I see a huge upside to wearing masks."
Even though patients who test positive for coronavirus are only infectious for about five to seven days, tests can come back positive for up to 21 days, Adelman said.
He recommended that as long as there is no fever and someone feels OK, they can go back to work or school five to seven days from the start of any illness.
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