As we continue to deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, cold and flu season is right around the corner.
With that comes potential confusion about symptoms – many of which are shared between the three types of viruses.
But Chatham-Kent’s Medical Officer of Health says not to worry.
“The physical distancing that is in place works spectacularly well against all of the respiratory infections that we commonly see,” Dr David Colby says. “We really saw our influenza cases tail right off when the pandemic hit, so all of these differently infections really decrease with the kinds of precautions we’re everyone to have with regard to COVID.”
Colby hopes a test that can identify what type of respiratory illness a patient has, rather than just looking for one specific virus, could be in use by the fall.
“They have tests that are available that will simultaneously tests against 20 of the most likely culprits, and I suspect that the COVID test will be incorporated into the multiplex panel in time for the respiratory virus season.”
In the meantime, Colby says but the basic rules still apply to anyone experiencing symptoms.
“My advice would be to get tested for COVID and stay at home and isolate until the situation becomes clear. Really, the advice isn’t going to change unless the situation changes.”