How helpful are masks during the ongoing flu season?

Flu, dengue and of course COVID-19- the influx of a lot of viral and seasonal infections right now, all of which are turning out just as severe and infectious. Even as flu and dengue cases are swelling right now, just when we are awaiting a third wave to come up anytime, what has been observed is an apparent complacency in measures. With COVID-19 cases going down, people are becoming less cautious and mask mandates are becoming less stricter as well.

Also read: Home remedies to unblock stuffy nose when you have the flu

However, with flu and COVID-19 both being big respiratory diseases which spread in a similar manner, and just equally contagious, how important and protective are masks right now? Should you continue to wear a mask, even if you have a flu and not COVID-19?

Both flu and COVID-19 can be extremely similar in nature, and thus, have a lot of overlapping symptoms in common. With it known that a lot of breakthrough COVID cases cause cold and flu like symptoms, telling symptoms apart, without a proper test can be extremely confusing and delay treatment.

In such a scenario, while experts recommend going for prompt testing, what also needs to be looked at is the onset of symptoms, suspected exposure rates and uncommon symptoms. For example, while a flu would usually start off with a cold, a COVID-19 infection can come up in different ways, and may not always be accompanied by a fever. Apart from this, a flu infection tends to last for a shorter time than a COVID-19 infection does.

Now, while it has been stressed that a lot of the respiratory hygiene measures put in place due to the pandemic have led to the reduction of flu cases, it still needs to be remembered that flu, much like COVID-19 can be threatening and severe if proper measures aren't taken and treatment is delayed. More so, seasonal infections like the flu can also be potentially more risky for younger kids (below 5 years of age), pregnant ladies, people aged 65 and above and those who have serious comorbidities which can affect immune functioning (including cancer, severe diabetes, renal failure or heart disease). Doctors have also pointed out that a lot of the hospitalizations right now, due to the flu, have been traced to cases where diagnosis and treatment were delayed.

Now, while it can be incredibly confusing to tell COVID and flu symptoms apart, if you are sick, it needs to be remembered that both the illnesses, spread on by viruses are infectious, contagious and most commonly spread via common practices. The transmission of respiratory droplets, coughing, sneezing or touching contaminated objects can lead to the spread of the infection. While it's now a common preventive practice to wear a mask if at all one suspects COVID-19 symptoms, or is in COVID recovery, even with the flu, masks should be kept on. Even though flu may still be less contagious than COVID-19, do keep in mind that wearing a mask could help control the spread and transmission risk of respiratory droplets to others, and possibly safeguard the health of those who have a higher risk than you, of catching the flu.

More so, masks can be a helpful preventive strategy to adopt when you are still waiting for test results, and waiting to confirm if your infection is related to the influenza virus, or actually COVID-19.

Masks, when you have the flu or flu-like symptoms could also be helpful if you are bound to go out, or be in public spaces to avoid and reduce the spread of infection in community settings.

Even before the pandemic, using masks has been a common practice in a lot of Asian countries. Scientifically, masks have been proven to cut down transmission and infection rates in a contagious environment, where you could be surrounded by sick carriers. They have also been proven to be helpful for those wearing the mask, even when nobody around them is wearing one.

Particularly, strict vigilance and using of masks, during the first wave of the pandemic has been associated with a less severe occurence of the flu season globally, than what is usually expected.

With the flu, a lot of the treatment tactics are similar to COVID-19 and rely on a lot of rest and recovery. While patients are usually prescribed antivirals to mitigate the infection and root away the virus, there are also many other ways you can speed up your recovery from the flu, if you do contract it:

-Stay at home, possibly recluse yourself to avoid infection spread. Limit stepping out until and unless necessary

-Have a lot of water and hydrating liquids. Optimum hydration also cuts out a severe complication associated with flu, which is dehydration.

-Have healthy, nourishing foods which are rich in essential nutrients. Minimize having processed , packaged or junk foods.

-Sleep and rest as much as it would be possible

-Try and ease your breathing, and add moisture to the air.

-Avoid consumption of alcohol

-Don't hesitate to medicate yourself

-Avoid recurrence of flu by getting vaccinated when possible, post recovery.