{"id":17029,"date":"2022-01-10T18:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-10T18:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/?p=17029"},"modified":"2022-02-26T20:30:06","modified_gmt":"2022-02-26T20:30:06","slug":"seasonal-flu-and-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/topics\/health\/seasonal-flu-and-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Seasonal flu and COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cSeasonal flu\u201d is a very common illness, and tends to be more severe than the common cold. The most common symptoms are a sudden high temperature, sore throat, cough, headache, tiredness and general aches and pains. Flu can also cause nausea, loss of appetite, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, and cause you difficulty sleeping. The World Health Organisation explains that \u201cin temperate climates, seasonal epidemics occur mainly during winter, while in tropical regions, influenza may occur throughout the year\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Does a cold count as seasonal flu?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the symptoms are similar, colds and flus are distinct<\/a>. Colds and flus are caused by different viruses. Flu is caused by one of four types of influenza viruses<\/a>, while there are three types of cold viruses<\/a>: rhinovirus, coronavirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza. To complicate matters, RSV is included<\/a> in the Northern Ireland monitoring of seasonal flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can flu be prevented?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good personal hygiene is encouraged to prevent the transmission<\/em> of viruses. Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth; frequent hand washing (with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rubs); covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve; avoiding close contact with sick people; and staying home when sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flu vaccine programmes aim to protect against infection<\/em> by influenza viruses and reduce sickness, medical visits, hospitalisations, and deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The World Health Organisation\u2019s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System<\/a> makes recommendations for two different influenza vaccine formulations every year: one for the northern hemisphere (made in February\/March), and one for the southern hemisphere (September\/October). The three or four strains of influenza (H1N1, H3N2, and often two Type-B strains) most likely to attack during the next winter are chosen for inclusion in the vaccine. Influenza viruses evolve quickly, and one year\u2019s vaccine is likely to be less effective the following year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every autumn, the flu vaccine is offered to people in Northern Ireland<\/a> who are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n