When COVID-19 Meets Winter: How to Prepare for the Upcoming Season

Usually, after Sukkot, the change in weather becomes increasingly noticeable. Leaves start falling, and with them comes the sneezes. This year, more than ever, there is a major concern about winter diseases, as the threatening COVID-19 virus is still present and will likely remain with us for the entire period. So how do we distinguish between the diseases, who is in the risk groups, and what should we be cautious about? All the answers.

Flu, COVID-19, and the Common Cold

The great similarity between the two viruses raises concerns among experts. The flu and COVID-19 are transmitted from person to person in the same manner — infection occurs when a person inhales viral droplets expelled by an infected individual. Since infected droplets are usually expelled through sneezing or coughing, the risk of infection is generally limited to a range of two meters from the sick person. However, if one is in the same space as the infected person, transmission can also occur by touching a surface with infected droplets and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes. Nonetheless, according to research conducted thus far, COVID-19 is more resistant outside the body than the flu and can survive longer on a contaminated surface than the flu, which only survives for a few hours.

The symptoms of both diseases are similar and include high fever, muscle aches, cough, runny nose, lack of appetite, and fatigue. In severe cases, life-threatening pneumonia may develop. COVID-19 can also cause more severe complications, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, kidney failure, and brain damage. Additionally, particularly among young people, there is a symptom of loss of taste and smell.

The main difference between the two viruses is the duration of the incubation period — from the time of infection until symptoms appear. During this period, the patient does not feel the symptoms of the illness but can still infect others. For COVID-19, the average incubation period is about five days, although for some people it may last up to two weeks during which they will not feel the symptoms. In comparison, for the flu, the incubation period lasts up to four days on average, and the patient will start feeling unwell quite suddenly.

A common cold tends to develop more gradually. Although individuals can feel quite unwell with a cold, the symptoms are generally milder. A cough may develop alongside sneezing, sore throat, and runny nose, fever, chills, and muscle aches.

The only way to know if someone is ill with COVID-19 or the flu is through a laboratory test. Individuals cannot diagnose themselves, so they must monitor symptoms, seek medical treatment if they feel one or more of them, and self-isolate.

Lockdown May Help Reduce Flu Incidence

Experts believe that the global lockdowns, school closures, travel restrictions, and social distancing measures, as well as other COVID-19 prevention and control measures, will contribute to a decrease in flu incidence this year. For example, in Australia, 21,156 laboratory-confirmed flu cases were registered by the Health Ministry compared to 289,731 cases during the same period last year. Similar trends have been observed during the winter months in New Zealand, South Africa, and parts of South America.

Who is at Risk and What Can Be Done?

Statistical data shows that individuals aged 60 and over, and those with chronic underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, lung diseases, cancer, as well as those with weakened immune systems, are at increased risk. Diabetics are at higher risk for serious complications from any virus, especially COVID-19 or the flu. Therefore, individuals in these risk groups should strictly adhere to safety rules and minimize outings as much as possible. Additionally, it is recommended that these high-risk populations get the flu vaccine as soon as possible and reduce visits to health clinics. The recent period has brought about the advent of remote treatment, allowing patients to communicate continuously with their doctor without visiting the medical center. For instance, diabetic patients can review all their health metrics and consult with their doctor without needing to visit the clinic. Moreover, diabetics who fall ill with infectious viruses, like the flu or COVID-19, are also at increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis; therefore, it is important to regularly monitor blood sugar levels using a continuous glucose monitor without pricking. Furthermore, for all high-risk groups, it is recommended to strictly adhere to isolation and wear a mask at all times when out in public.

Some General Recommendations for the Coming Period:

1. Hand Washing - Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
2. We Stay Home - Try to stay home as much as possible and in isolation. However, maintain a daily routine, a set daily schedule, and organized meals. You are home anyway, so the excuses of time pressure, traffic jams, etc., are less relevant.
3. Rules - Set mealtime rules in advance, such as eating seated and not in front of screens. It is recommended to wait four hours between breakfast and lunch, between lunch and dinner, and 12 hours between dinner and the next morning's breakfast (avoid snacking as much as possible). Try to avoid unnecessary consumption of processed foods.
4. Vitamin D - In recent years, there is an understanding that this vitamin is important for numerous body systems, as well as for the production and activity of the immune system cells. New studies have proven a connection between vitamin D deficiency and respiratory infections, such as COVID-19 and the flu. It is recommended to take 2,000 IU daily.
5. Drinking Water - It is recommended to ensure adequate fluid intake, preferably water, even when staying indoors and not feeling thirsty.

Prof. Julio Weinstein, Director of the Diabetes Unit at Wolfson Hospital and Senior Diabetes Physician at the DMC Diabetes Treatment Center