A number of people experiencing fever, sore throat and irritation in the upper respiratory tract are asking doctors whether they have been infected by the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus.
Doctors said this was another flu season and many people were having infections of the upper respiratory tract.
The doctors added that these infections do not have any impact on the lungs and patients recover between four and six days, though the coughing might linger for a few more days.
But the looming threat of the Omicron variant, which is highly transmissible, is keeping some of those suffering from the common cold wary.
Some people, especially those suffering from fever, are landing up in the outpatients departments in the hospitals. The doctors are suggesting a Covid test but most of them are testing negative for Covid.
“People are asking us whether they have Covid. Naturally, the next thing they have in mind is whether this is an Omicron. But there are many who are now only suffering from the common cold,” said Sauren Panja, a critical care expert at the RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences.
Sudipta Mitra, the chief executive of Peerless Hospital, said many patients in their hospital’s OPD were those who came with complaints of fever, sore throat and irritation in nose and throat. “They are turning up at the OPD because they have fever. We are suggesting a Covid test to be sure about their infection.”
Doctors said that there was not much to worry about the seasonal infection and the recovery was usually within four and six days.
Amitabha Saha, an internal medicine and critical care expert at Medica Superspecialty Hospital, said the common cold and cough was caused by viruses attacking the upper respiratory tract.
“A vital difference between Covid and these infections is that the common cold affects the upper respiratory tract,” Saha said. The common cold has no impact on the lungs, he said.
Public health experts suggested that wearing masks would help one stay safe in this situation.
Since one does not know whether the other person has the common cold and cough or Covid, it is best to wear a mask and stay protected.
“The mask will protect from both Covid and the common cold,” said a public health expert.
