Via practica 1/2022

Current recommendations on prevention and treatment of seasonal respiratory diseases

Autumn and winter months are a period of increasing rates of respiratory diseases. In 80–90 % of cases, these are viral infections with very similar symptoms; while most have an uneventful course, some may occasionally have a more severe course with complications. They are collectively referred to as acute respiratory infections (ARIs), sometimes also referred to as influenza-like illnesses (ILIs). However, in the context of the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, more thorough differential diagnostic considerations as well as greater emphasis on prevention are required.

Keywords: acute respiratory infection, influenza, prevention, coronaviruses, vaccination