Coronavirus: End of COVID is 'in sight' but COVID measures can still protect you against the flu

The US President Joe Biden recently declared that the pandemic was over in the US. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also said that the world has never been in a better position to end the COVID-19 pandemic and while we are not there yet, the end is in sight. However, COVID variants continue to emerge, people are still getting sick and those who are vulnerable are still at a high risk of severe complications.

So what should you do?

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Respiratory viruses such as the flu have existed long before COVID-19 and are likely to take a toll on your health. Experts have warned against a possible 'tripledemic' this winter, which includes a surge in cases of flu, COVID and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

That said, even though COVID-19 has taken a milder turn, you're still at risk of contracting flu infections and other winter illnesses that can be severe. This is why letting your guard down now may not be the right choice to make.

Irrespective of where we stand in terms of COVID-19 pandemic, we must continue taking precautions.

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Flu is also a transmissible illness. It can spread from one person to another, mainly by droplets released when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. These then land in the mouths or noses of people nearby (usually within about 6 feet away) or are inhaled into the lungs.

That said, the best measure to take is wearing a well-fitted mask. As is known, face coverings or masks are a great way to help slow the spread of the virus that causes coronavirus disease. Similarly, wearing a mask might help protect you from the human influenza A and B viruses, which are responsible for most seasonal outbreaks of the flu.

The farther you are from people infected with respiratory illnesses, the more protected you will be from contracting the viruses, which is why social distancing is key. According to experts, maintaining a distance of 6 feet or 10 meters is advisable when it comes to COVID - the same can be maintained for flu or other infectious illnesses.

COVID-19 or flu, vaccination is of utmost importance. Getting vaccinated does not mean you're protected from contracting the illness, however, it can help you prevent severe complications.

If you're someone who has just got their COVID vaccine or booster shots and are unsure whether to get their flu shots too, then health bodies around the world have declared that it is safe to get both these vaccines simultaneously.

Flu and COVID-19 are both respiratory viruses that may differ in their degree of risks. They are both transmitted through aerosol droplets, causing infections in the respiratory route either directly by contact or through contaminated surfaces.

With COVID having taken a milder turn, its symptoms have started to bear a striking resemblance to flu symptoms. These include:

- Fever

- Cough

- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

- Tiredness

- Sore throat

- Runny or stuffy nose

- Muscle aches

- Headache

- Nausea or vomiting, but this is more common in children than in adults