Could COVID-19 Pandemic Have Positive Effects? All because of the sanitary regime

The restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as frequent hand washing and social distancing, as well as the use of face masks, may have an impact on the seasonal transmission of the flu. Japanese scientists have come to such conclusions.

The sanitary regime helps to limit the spread of not only COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments are recommending the public to maintain a sanitary regime. Frequent hand washing, disinfecting surfaces and maintaining social distancing, as well as wearing mouth and nose guards, reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Scientists in Japan have observed a positive effect of such a sanitary regime. According to them, the current pandemic could have an impact on seasonal infections from the influenza virus and that we can expect lower overall rates this year.

Scientists have observed that seasonal flu activity in Japan was lower in 2020 than in previous years. Influenza virus activity may have been affected by the temperature or virulence of the virus, but also by measures taken to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

How do the exacerbations related to the COVID-19 pandemic affect flu infections?

Hygienic habits thanks to which we reduce the risk of falling ill

There are several similarities between the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the influenza virus. Both viruses have a lipid envelope, which makes them sensitive to mild detergents and alcohol-based agents. Frequent hand washing is an effective way to get rid of virus particles, which greatly reduces their transmission.

It would seem that you shouldn’t remind anyone about washing your hands, especially after leaving the toilet. Meanwhile, it turns out that before the COVID-19 pandemic, Europeans had serious problems remembering to wash their hands. According to research conducted by the association WIN / Gallup International in 63 countries, in the Netherlands every second person washes their hands after using the toilet (the worst result). The inhabitants of Bosnia and Herzegovina (96%) and Turkey (94%) were the best at washing their hands. In Poland, 68 percent admitted to washing their hands after leaving the toilet. respondents.

Another study on hand washing found that only 32 percent. men in Great Britain and 64 percent. of women washes their hands after using the toilet. A similar survey was conducted in March 2020 and then as much as 83 percent. of the respondents admitted that they werehes their hands more often than before.

The introduction of a sanitary regime and frequent reminders to wash hands with warm water and soap, as well as disinfecting hands with alcohol-based preparations, reduce the transmission of not only SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, but also other viruses.

See also: Antibacterial gels are disappearing from the shelves. Do they work against the coronavirus?

Avoiding touching your face and wearing face masks can also help reduce the spread of the flu virus. Like the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, influenza virus is spread by airborne dropletswhen you sneeze or cough. It can also be on surfaces that have been touched by a sick person.

School closings have reduced the risk of flu transmission

Schoolchildren are more likely to get flu and have a high rate of illness with every outbreak. This is to some extent due to the children’s lower immunity and the fact that they are exposed to constant contact with others in school.

After schools closed in many countries, the children were forced to stay at home. Probably thanks to this, it was possible to reduce the transmission of the flu to some extent.

See also: Coronavirus COVID-19 in Children. How do they get sick?

Will COVID-19 really reduce flu cases?

Although the relationship between the introduction of restrictions related to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and a lower number of flu cases makes sense, it is still not known to what extent it will actually affect the incidence of the disease.

For one thing, flu often has symptoms similar to other infections and is not always correctly identified. Usually, patients who report to their GP with flu symptoms are also counted.

Weekly reports from Public Health England and the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention show a decline in influenza activity over the same period of 2020 compared to previous years. However, it should be noted that some people may avoid visiting a doctor, even if they develop flu symptoms, due to fear of contracting the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Scientists will monitor flu transmission in the coming months and see if this link between efforts to combat COVID-19 and the decline in flu sufferers will persist.

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