Coronavirus vs flu – What is the reason for panic?

Since the beginning of Coronavirus, several posts appeared on social media sites saying that the virus can be handled as a relatively mild disease, similar to the seasonal flu that causes thousands of deaths every year, without causing any panic or quarantine.

However, Coronavirus should be taken much more seriously than simple flu.

The virus has a significantly higher death rate; furthermore, the majority of family doctors in Hungary are over 70 years, which means an additional risk factor in case of an epidemic.

Despite these factors, several Hungarian posts can be read on Facebook, not realising the seriousness of the emerging pandemic – reported by the Hungarian news portal Index.

Read alsoHungarian Tourism Agency provides coronavirus information sheets in 9 languages

However, it is essential to mention the number of deaths does not determine that quarantine and health emergency. Health system can quickly become overburdened by the increasing number of infections, which can result in unforeseen consequences later on.

By the introduction of quarantine, travel restrictions, banning of mass events, school closures etc., the epidemic can be spread out in time, which means that the massive number of infected patients will not break the health care system. Additionally, researchers can gain more time to develop an antidote against the virus.

Read alsoCoronavirus – Hungarian government orders state of emergency – UPDATE

Why should it be taken more seriously than a simple flu?

• In the case of flue, infections are much less efficient than in the case of coronavirus;

• The vaccine against flu is available;

• Influenza is already known; therefore, health care systems can face the difficulties caused by recurring annual epidemics.

Source: index.hu