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Published on: Apr 04, 2020
3 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Anyone With Flu Like Symptoms Are Now Encouraged

The Bold Strategy the UK has adopted against COVID-19

The UK government had outlined its Coronavirus strategy in three distinct steps. The first stage was to contain the virus. This was implemented when spread of the virus was primarily by infected patients from abroad. Public health advice was provided, campaigns on washing hands, not touching the face, practicing safe hygiene. Potentially infected individuals were informed to self-quarantine for 14 days whilst waiting for symptoms to develop and testing to occur. Now it is evident this is not enough. The virus has spread to enough people that transmission can now occur locally, between people who have never been abroad. Containment is not the aim, mitigation of number of cases to prevent burdening the health services. The second stage aims to reduce the epidemic’s peak, flatten it out so the number of cases do not occur at once.

Anyone with flu like symptoms are now encouraged to stay home for 7 days, and testing will only occur for hospital admissions. Beyond this little appears to have changed. Schools will remain open, social gatherings have not been cut yet (but is expected over the next week) and general life will continue as normal. This is a risky measure, one that suggests the government is not taking the issue seriously. France, Spain and Italy have enacted lockdown measures, Germany has begun cutting social gatherings. So why is the UK not following in step? Are people going to die as a result of this inaction?

DELAY THE SPREAD

The answer is of course complex. PM Boris Johnson has acknowledged that as a result of his decision people may die, especially the elderly who are seen as a very vulnerable population. But this plan has been discussed with multiple scientists, doctors, public health specialists, and there is method in the madness. Currently the UK is in the early stages of the epidemic. The number of infected are expected to rise sharply in 4 weeks, with a peak in 10–14 weeks. Implementing harsh restrictions too early can lead to “self isolation fatigue”, resulting in people not following the restrictions stringently or leaving their homes at the height of the epidemic. Restrictions also come with their own problems, and implementing them may lead to more harm than good. Simple measures such as hand washing and self isolation can itself reduce the peak of cases by 20%.

Schools have not yet been closed because COVID-19 does not appear to affect children as much. Closure of schools would also mean parents having to stay at home to look after their children (after all, nurseries, creches and other forms of childcare would still result in a spread of infection). In some cases these parents are also healthcare professionals, and the UK needs every single doctor, nurse and allied health professional to be on the frontline treating patients.

So what is the strategy? The NHS is currently full of patients due to the winter burden, one that is expected to taper off in the coming months. Slowing the onset of the epidemic’s peak to Summer, spreading it across the next few months so the maximum number of people can be treated in the hospital setting without overburdening. The aim is no longer to prevent the spread of infection but to protect the most vulnerable age groups. This model allows the young and healthy to become infected, almost encourages it.

INFECT YOUR CITIZENS

Now this sentence may sound ridiculous when said out loud. Allow infection. But why? The UK has acknowledged there is no way to stop the infection. Whilst the mortality in the elderly population and those with medical conditions are high, in the young and healthy it manifests as a mild illness with almost all infected cases recovering. More importantly, recovered patients have immunity against the virus, manifesting as antibodies in their blood. Immune patients cannot infect other people, so the more immune patients there are the slower the virus will spread. This is known as herd immunity, and the process is discussed in length in our blog on vaccines. Herd immunity needs to be achieved before the onset of winter in 2020, as winter admissions alongside COVID admissions would result in a disaster.

https://medium.com/@rajneesh.dwivedi/developing-a-vaccine-for-covid-19-part-1-f7263ae9bf88 Rajneesh secondmedic

The strategy is of course risky, and one that has not been implemented before. And since the infection will not be contained people will die. But by spreading the burden of the infection across a longer time period will allow those who require treatment to receive it in a far less burdened health system. And it has received support from health professionals, even those who are fierce critics of the PM and Conservative government. But it has resulted in confusion amongst the population, a population that looks at authoritative action taking place in other countries and not understanding why their own doesn’t follow suit. The issue is these draconian measures are not sustainable, and if implemented correctly the UK strategy may result in far less lasting damage on its health service and the economy.

Dr Rajan Choudhary, London UK

Head Of Products, Second Medic Inc (www.secondmedic.com)

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Common Respiratory Infections: Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention

Respiratory infections are one of the leading causes of illness across all age groups. They affect the respiratory tract, which includes the nose, throat, airways and lungs. While many respiratory infections are mild and self-limiting, some can become severe, especially in vulnerable populations.

Most respiratory infections are viral; antibiotics are not always required unless bacterial infection is confirmed.

In Common Cold vs Flu, add

Flu is usually more severe, with sudden fever, marked fatigue, and body aches.

Add COVID-19 mention briefly under respiratory infections list as an important viral infection

Understanding common respiratory infections, their causes and prevention strategies is essential for protecting lung health and preventing complications.

What Are Respiratory Infections?

Respiratory infections occur when viruses, bacteria or other pathogens infect the respiratory system. They are broadly classified into:

upper respiratory infections
lower respiratory infections

Upper respiratory infections affect the nose and throat, while lower respiratory infections involve the lungs and bronchi.

Common Types of Respiratory Infections

Common Cold

The most frequent respiratory infection, caused by viruses.

Symptoms include:

runny or blocked nose
sore throat
sneezing
mild cough

Influenza (Flu)

A viral infection that may cause more severe symptoms than the common cold.

Symptoms include:

high fever
body aches
fatigue
cough

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchial tubes.

Symptoms include:

persistent cough
chest discomfort
mucus production

Pneumonia

A serious lung infection affecting air sacs.

Symptoms include:

fever
breathlessness
chest pain
productive cough

Sinus Infections

Infection of the sinus cavities.

Symptoms include:

facial pain
nasal congestion
headache

Causes of Respiratory Infections

Viral Causes

Viruses are the most common cause of respiratory infections and spread easily.

Bacterial Causes

Certain infections like pneumonia and sinusitis may be bacterial and require medical treatment.

Environmental Factors

Exposure to:

air pollution
smoke
allergens

can weaken respiratory defences.

Weakened Immunity

Low immunity increases susceptibility to infection.

How Respiratory Infections Spread

Respiratory infections commonly spread through:

coughing and sneezing
close personal contact
contaminated surfaces
crowded environments

Poor ventilation increases transmission risk.

Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

Seek medical advice if experiencing:

high or persistent fever
difficulty breathing
chest pain
bluish lips or nails
prolonged cough

Early care prevents complications.

Why Respiratory Infections Are Common in Certain Seasons

Seasonal factors such as:

cold weather
monsoon humidity
indoor crowding

increase infection spread.

Who Is Most at Risk?

High-risk groups include:

infants and children
elderly individuals
pregnant women
people with asthma, COPD or heart disease

Extra precautions are essential for these groups.

Prevention of Common Respiratory Infections

Maintain Good Hand Hygiene

Regular handwashing reduces transmission.

Follow Respiratory Etiquette

Cover mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

Proper ventilation reduces airborne spread.

Stay Vaccinated

Vaccination protects against infections like influenza and pneumonia.

Strengthen Immunity

Balanced diet, adequate sleep and physical activity support immune health.

Avoid Smoking and Second-Hand Smoke

Smoke damages airway defence mechanisms.

Role of Nutrition in Respiratory Health

Adequate intake of:

vitamins
minerals
antioxidants

supports immune response and lung health.

Importance of Early Diagnosis

Early identification:

reduces disease severity
prevents complications
limits spread

Timely care improves recovery.

Long-Term Impact of Recurrent Respiratory Infections

Repeated infections may lead to:

chronic cough
reduced lung function
increased vulnerability to future illness

Prevention protects long-term respiratory health.

When to Consult a Doctor

Medical evaluation is recommended if:

symptoms worsen
recovery is delayed
breathing difficulty occurs

Prompt care reduces risk.

Conclusion

Common respiratory infections are widespread but largely preventable. Viruses, bacteria, environmental exposure and weakened immunity contribute to their development. Understanding symptoms, causes and prevention strategies helps individuals take early action and protect lung health. By practising good hygiene, staying vaccinated, improving immunity and seeking timely medical care, the risk of respiratory infections and their complications can be significantly reduced.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Respiratory Infections and Prevention Guidelines
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Acute Respiratory Infection Reports
National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) – Respiratory Disease Surveillance
Lancet Respiratory Medicine – Infection and Lung Health Studies
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – Seasonal Respiratory Advisory
Statista – Global Respiratory Infection Trends

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