Covid-19 measures, most notably mask-wearing and social distancing, have resulted in a marked drop in patients contracting respiratory diseases, including influenza and common colds, The Malta Independent was told.

Speaking to President of the Medical Association of Malta (MAM) Martin Balzan, this newsroom was told that Covid-19 preventative measures are seeing patients with asthma, influenza and the common cold suffering from their respective conditions less.

Balzan said that there is no official study yet to outline the effects that Covid-19 measures have had on people that suffer from respiratory diseases, however, the “clinical impression”, he noted, “is that respiratory diseases are better than usual”.

In the US, a study has shown that the number of respiratory diseases has dropped by 60 per cent. No studies have been carried out in Malta but doctors have noticed a drop in the number of such cases.

“What worsens respiratory symptoms are respiratory viral infections, which are normally the common cold and influenza,” Balzan said. “With lockdown, the wearing of masks and social distancing, it's not only Covid which is having trouble spreading but all the other viral infections”.

He confirmed that the Covid-19 vaccines have had no influence on the reduction of respiratory viruses, as it is exclusively focused on protecting individuals from Covid.

In addition to Covid-preventative measures, Balzan noted that there are two other factors, both linked to the pandemic, that have contributed to the drop in respiratory conditions.

On one hand, people who already suffer from respiratory conditions are taking their medication with greater care to ensure that they are protected from the virus, Balzan said.

On the other hand, people who are unwell and contract symptoms are hesitant to go to hospital unless their cases are urgent, Balzan added. As a result, the transmission of the disease is lower than usual.

He said that a study similar to the one in the US should also be carried locally to observe the decrease in respiratory diseases. This can be carried out by questioning patients, examining visits to health centres and detecting medication use, he said.

Health authorities have stressed the importance of mask-wearing as a measure to prevent the spread of the virus, saying that it enhances the effects of physical distancing and limits the spread of infection from infected individuals who may or may not possess symptoms.

Many of the symptoms of influenza strike a parallel with Covid-19, including sore throat, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue and shortness of breath. Similarly, some of the symptoms of the common cold overlap with Covid symptoms, including shortness of breath and a sore throat.

In this way, by controlling the spread of Covid through preventative measures, respiratory diseases are also being controlled.

“The anti-Covid measures work not only on Covid, but on all the respiratory viruses,” Balzan noted.