The beginning of the year was record-breaking in terms of seasonal illnesses. In January, one in five Medicover patients were seen due to cold or flu symptoms. The total number of visits and telemedicine consultations related to seasonal illnesses was more than 30% higher than in the previous month. One particular week in January saw nearly 4,500 telemedicine consultations. But the peak of seasonal illness is already behind us. From the beginning of February, the number of infections has declined, and by March it returned to normal levels, typical for the infectious season.
Since February, the number of colds has decreased. Medicover doctors are seeing a decrease in visits due to infections - both at the medical centres and home visits. The number of Outpatient Emergency visits, as well as telemedicine consultations are also decreasing.
Although the number of illnesses is falling, the infectious season continues – so it is important to follow doctors’ recommendations and take particular care of your health.
The rules are very simple. During the infectious season we should avoid crowded places, as well as close contact with people who are ill. At home we must ventilate rooms. During work, be careful not to touch your nose, mouth and eyes with your hands. If we sneeze or cough, we should over our mouth and nose with our forearm, not our hand.
Agnieszka Motyl, a family medicine specialist and an epidemiologist at Medicover.
