According to the recommendations of the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), since the symptoms of respiratory infections are very similar, it is important to avoid transmitting the infection to more vulnerable people, such as the elderly, pregnant, unvaccinated, immunosuppressed or chronically ill.

If the person with a respiratory infection has a fever or does not feel well to go to work, the DGS recommends contacting a doctor to be evaluated.

The DGS recalls that the symptoms of respiratory infections, such as covid-19 or the flu, include cough, fever (temperature ≥ 38.0ºC) chills, loss or alteration of smell or taste, lack of breath, unexplained tiredness, muscle pain not resulting from physical exercise, refusal to eat or lack of hunger, headache, sore throat and diarrhea.

If you have any of these symptoms, the person should rest, drink water to stay hydrated and can take medications such as acetaminophen - if there is no clinical indication to the contrary - to help reduce symptoms.

If you leave the house it is recommended that, in addition to wearing a mask, you should avoid crowded places, such as public transport, and comply with the rules of respiratory etiquette (coughing into the crook of your arm and washing your hands frequently).

Mask use

The DGS also recalls that the use of a mask is mandatory in health service establishments and in residential or reception structures or home support services for vulnerable populations, the elderly or people with disabilities, as well as in continuous care units of the National Network.

The use of a mask is recommended in community pharmacies, for people over 10 years old, whenever they are in closed environments and in groups, namely, public transport (including planes) and airports, maritime terminals and metro and train networks.

It is also recommended in case of symptoms or a positive test for Covid-19 or flu and it is necessary to leave the house, as well as when there is close contact with people at high risk of becoming seriously ill with respiratory diseases.

Masks are also recommended for the most vulnerable people, namely people with chronic diseases or immunosuppression states with an increased risk of respiratory tract infections, whenever they are at increased risk of exposure, as well as for people who are in contact with the most vulnerable population.