Infection Hazard - Covid-19

"Respiratory infections increase when summer holidays end and we return to school and work," a THL expert says.Viruses that cause flu symptoms are spreading across Finland, according to health agency THL.Cases of rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus and coronavirus (Covid) infections have been reported in the national infectious disease register, according to Niina Ikonen, leading expert at THL.Rhinovirus, which is a typical cause of the common cold this time of year, has been listed in the register more than usual recently, according to Ikonen.She added there are also many other viruses that cause respiratory infections currently circulating.Symptoms from rhinovirus infections are often relatively mild, according to the agency. Because people usually manage to deal with their illness at home, there are no accurate statistics about which viruses are currently most prominent.Only very few of these types of viral infections end up being reported to the national register. Additionally, Ikonen explained, just a fraction of people with colds who seek medical help end up being tested to see what caused them.Ikonen said that health authorities are notified about a number of Covid cases every month, but added that it was too early to characterise the situation an epidemic.Even so, THL has advised members of certain at-risk groups to get Covid vaccines this autumn."Respiratory infections increase when summer holidays end and we return to school and work," Ikonen explained.Her advice to those with the flu is to stay at home, as it is most contagious during the first few days of symptoms.She said that it's worthwhile for people to seek medical attention if symptoms become severe, their general condition worsens or if symptoms briefly improve and then worsen again."Respiratory infections occur especially in autumn and winter. Influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), for example, are most common during the winter months," Ikonen said.