Cold or Covid? Doctors answer when is the right time to get tested
As of June 3, India has reported 4,026 active Covid-19 cases, according to the Health Ministry. While most cases are presenting mild symptoms, health experts have cautioned amid a rise in infections driven by newer and more transmissible variants.The current uptick in cases is largely attributed to NB.1.8.1, a sub-lineage of the Omicron-descended JN.1 variant, along with the LF.7 strain.advertisementBoth variants are noted for their high transmissibility, though they continue to cause mostly mild illness, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Fatalities recorded in states such as Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have all involved individuals with underlying health conditions.WHEN DO YOU NEED A COVID TEST?NB.1.8.1, which has caused spikes in hospitalisations in China and has been detected in the US, presents with symptoms resembling seasonal flu.These include fever, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, runny nose, headache, and loss of appetite. Unlike earlier Covid waves, loss of taste and smell aren't being reported.Dr. Sushila Kataria, internal medicine and public health expert at Medanta, said that most patients are experiencing mild to high-grade fever, throat pain, nasal congestion, sputum, and marked fatigue.
New variants are noted for their high transmissibility, though they continue to cause mostly mild illness, ICMR. ()
advertisementWith Covid and flu cases both rising, distinguishing between the two has become challenging. Doctors have stressed that testing remains an important tool, especially for certain groups."If someone is experiencing cough, cold, or fever, they should test for Covid-19. Hospitalised patients with pneumonia must also be tested," Dr. Kataria told IndiaToday.in.She explained that while home antigen tests are convenient, their accuracy can vary. "A positive test confirms Covid, but a negative one doesn't rule it out. In such cases, respiratory precautions and self-isolation should continue until symptoms subside," said Dr. Kataria.Interestingly, more people are testing at home rather than visiting hospitals. "A lot of the home antigen tests we're seeing are coming back positive," she added.Dr. Vikas Maurya, pulmonologist at Fortis Shalimar Bagh, observed that many individuals in the outpatient department (OPD) are reporting persistent cough and fever lasting more than two days, alongside bronchitis-like breathlessness.
More people are testing at home rather than visiting hospitals. ()
"Hospitalisations are happening, but most patients recover and are discharged within a week," he said.advertisementHowever, he expressed concern over testing hesitancy. "Even when I prescribe RT-PCR tests, only about three out of five patients follow through," he told IndiaToday.in.Dr. Maurya added that the typical symptom duration for current cases is around 3–4 days. "We've had one patient on a ventilator who is now improving. But overall, severe cases remain mild," he said.The doctors urged that if you're experiencing flu-like symptoms, particularly fever, cough, or sore throat, one can get tested for Covid-19, especially if you are elderly, have pre-existing conditions, or are in close contact with vulnerable individuals.While the current variants are not causing widespread severe illness, their high transmissibility makes early detection and isolation crucial in preventing further spread.Tune InMust Watch
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