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clinical practice

Recognition and management of COVID-19 and other influenza-like illnesses: a guide for paramedics

02 December 2021
Features
02 December 2021
Volume 13 · Issue 12

Abstract

During the pandemic last year, the incidence of influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) was significantly lower, as preventive measures aimed to reduce the spread of COVID-19, were also successful in preventing the spread of other respiratory illnesses. With relaxed COVID-19 measures and the return of social contact and mixing, a significant increase in ILIs is anticipated this winter. Common causative pathogens for ILIs include influenza viruses, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus and SARS-CoV-2. With similar characteristics and mode of transmissions, it may be difficult to distinguish between these common respiratory pathogens. Fortunately, the majority of ILIs are self-limiting and treatments for these illnesses are similar: supportive treatment to relieve symptoms while awaiting recovery. Paramedics should be aware of the warning signs of serious diseases and consider admission if they occur. Finally, good infection prevention and control measures are vital to break the chain of transmission of ILIs and protect yourselves and others from them.

After reading this article, paramedics should be able to:

The world has been in pandemic mode for more than 18 months. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared SARS-CoV-2 as a global pandemic on 11 March 2020 (Cucinotta et al, 2020).

Interventions have been introduced to reduce the transmission of the virus, including handwashing, wearing masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE), social distancing, and school and workplace closures.

These interventions have been successful in preventing the transmission of COVID-19 and other diseases that have a similar mode of transmission. The European Centre for Disease Control reported a 99.4% reduction in influenza in winter 2020–2021 compared with the winter period in previous seasons (Adlhoch et al, 2021) and Public Health England (PHE, 2021a) reported similar findings, with primary care consultations, hospital and intensive care and high-dependency unit admissions related to influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) in winter 2020–2021 being below the baseline threshold levels from previous seasons.

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