Flu-like symptoms do exist. However, it is not the fluJakarta (ANTARA) - Epidemiologist at Griffith University, Australia, Dicky Budiman urged the public to not equate the symptoms caused by COVID-19 with the signs of common cold.
"As a doctor, I used to be involved in HIV/AIDS treatment programs. Symptoms of HIV/AIDS are also the same as COVID-19. However, is it the flu? No. Likewise, COVID-19 is not the flu, and the disease will never become flu," Budiman stated when contacted by ANTARA here on Saturday.
The epidemiologist acknowledged that there were similarities between the symptoms of COVID-19 and the common cold, such as cough, runny nose, and also fever.
However, there is a difference wherein patients infected with COVID-19 experience olfactory problems, although Omicron patients rarely experience such symptoms. Meanwhile, the Omicron variant is also contagious and spreads more quickly than the usual flu. Hence, COVID-19 will never be like the common cold.
"Flu-like symptoms do exist. However, it is not the flu. We need to know that all these severe viral diseases are like flu. They are known as flu-like illnesses," he noted.
Budiman emphasized that any variant of the COVID-19 disease cannot be transmitted by itself, and this disease requires an intermediary to be able to infect other people. If people do not limit their activities and strictly implement health protocols, the transmission of COVID-19 will become increasingly out of control.
The epidemiologist explained that COVID-19 has a long-term impact that can reduce the quality of public health. If this continues, the pandemic will further burden the national economy.
Moreover, several community activities also had to be stopped amid the likelihood of the emergence of new variants that might be more vicious in addition to the increase in the number of fatalities.
The epidemiologist said that the emergence of asymptomatic COVID-19 infections does not mean the disease is weakening but that it is due to vaccinations, which have currently been extended to other areas.
Moreover, booster vaccines can increase protection and reduce the potential severity of the infection.
However, all parties cannot just rely on vaccination, but they need to protect themselves by implementing health protocols, so that the spike in cases can be suppressed.
Health protocols can be implemented by wearing a mask, washing hands with soap, and maintaining a distance of one to two meters from other people. The public is also advised to stay away from crowds and reduce unnecessary mobility.
He also appealed to the public to seek information about the current pandemic not only through social media but also through information sourced from experts and based on science.
Budiman is optimistic that the public would not be influenced by conspiracy theories or information that cannot be justified.
"The public must understand that the transmission of the Omicron variant is not a conspiracy. Such understanding is wrong and must be corrected," he affirmed.
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Translator: Katriana
Editor: Sri Haryati
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