Runny nose and headache are the same... What are the symptoms to distinguish between "air conditioning illness" and COVID-19?

All COVID-19 symptoms are also different...

First, if you feel that your body is different from usual, please get tested ㅠㅠ

My husband said he feels a little cold and achy, and it turns out he has COVID.

But there was no high fever either..

Everyone, be careful of COVID-19~

 

 

As the number of heatstroke patients increases due to ongoing heatwaves, concerns are growing as the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) shows signs of re-emerging.

The quarantine authorities predict that the spread of COVID-19 could reach its peak by the end of this month, when school vacations and holidays end.

Hong Jeong-il, Director of the Infectious Disease Policy Bureau at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said on the 13th, "The 'behavioral change' where people gather again after the end of vacations and holidays can influence the spread of infectious diseases," and added, "The increase in enclosed spaces caused by air conditioning is also a major reason for the summer outbreaks."

As the days continue with scorching heat, making it impossible to turn off the air conditioner even for a moment indoors, many people are complaining of feeling chills, experiencing runny noses, and even symptoms of body aches.

The initial symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of heatstroke, making it easy to confuse the two.

Office worker A said, "A large number of COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the neighboring team. As more people in the office start coughing, I have a runny nose and headache since yesterday, and I don't know if it's COVID or just heatstroke. I tried to take a COVID test with a diagnostic kit, but they are sold out at the pharmacy."

To determine whether you have COVID-19 or just a cold from air conditioning, you need to carefully examine your symptoms, such as cough, runny nose, headache, and body aches.

The basic criterion for distinguishing between COVID-19 and heat-related illnesses is fever.

Professor Kang Jae-heon of the Department of Family Medicine at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital said, "Cooling sickness and COVID-19 can present similar respiratory symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing, as well as indigestion, fatigue, and malaise, making them difficult to distinguish." He added, "However, if symptoms such as muscle pain, cough, persistent fever above 37.5°C, or unique COVID-19 symptoms like loss of smell and taste occur, it is more likely to be COVID-19 rather than cooling sickness."

To prevent air conditioning sickness, it is recommended to turn off the air conditioner and ventilate at regular intervals, and to keep the indoor temperature between 25 and 26 degrees Celsius.

Professor Kang stated, "Cooling sickness does not require special treatment if symptoms are mild," and added, "Adjusting the indoor and outdoor temperature difference to about 5 degrees, staying well-hydrated, and resting can lead to improvement."

He continued, emphasizing that "hygiene management is important for viral respiratory diseases such as COVID-19," and stressed the importance of "wearing masks when coughing and washing hands frequently to maintain personal hygiene." Additionally, he urged that "proper nutrition intake and maintaining immune function are also essential."

<Source: Korea Economic Daily>