“With Covid we have lost respect for the flu, but now we see that it is not a simple cold.”
The dimensions of the pandemic corona virus This meant that we may have lost insight into what influenza epidemics were like before the pandemic and what impact they had on the healthcare system. It is the reflection that makes Pilar Sebolero, Head of the Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital of Navarra (Hungary), which emphasizes that the flu is being played down too much: “The coronavirus has been so bad that it has caused us to lose respect for the flu. But the flu is a virus that can cause some severity and complications in some people. “We see that this is not a simple cold.”
The epidemic continues to grow following the return to normal activities in Navarre, which recorded another 174 hospitalizations in a week.
However, Cebolero notes that this year is the season of respiratory viruses – in which the circulation of influenza A predominates – “It’s no more serious than before the pandemic,” although he admits it is of very high intensity.
“Every season is different, and this time influenza A is predominant, which is more contagious. This means that more people become infected and, therefore, more serious processes and more hospitalizations, but this does not mean that everything is more serious,” explains the pulmonologist, emphasizing that there are three viruses in circulation this year. –influenza, covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus–, which significantly increased the incidence. Anyway, “There is no evidence that being infected with two of them at the same time means there is a greater danger.” and it’s not something that’s repetitive,” he notes.
As for the symptoms, he clarifies that they are common. –fever, cough, mucus, malaise, etc.– and that it is normal for them to last “up to 7 or 8 days, even some residual symptoms may last longer.” “We have to be especially careful with the elderly and vulnerable people who are moving in the most, although there are also young people,” says Cebolero.
So he appeals to common sense: “If we have respiratory symptoms, if we are among vulnerable people or in a crowd You can wear a mask. This is what protects us all.”