With the start of classes and going through the end of summer, the Argentine health authorities were surprised by the unusual number of influenza A infectionswhich due to the similarities with a respiratory virus, initially generates concern, mainly from Mar del Plata parents, because the age group that seems to be the most affected are the more guys.
This Wednesday the Buenos Aires Minister of Health Nicholas Kreplak warned that the gripe H2N3 He will only have his vaccine approximately in April (it is a new strain), so he asked the risk groups, pregnant women and those over 60 years of age to extreme care measures.
And what are the differences between the flu and Covid-19? According to World Health Organization (WHO), the viruses that cause coronavirus and the flu are different but produce some similar symptoms, including cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, headache, and fatigue. “The severity of these two diseases depends on the person: some have no symptoms, in others these are mild, while others have severe forms. Both the flu and Covid-19 can be deadly,” they pointed out from the international organization.
Given the increase in flu cases, they evaluate returning to massive testing
From the Secretary of Health of General Pueyrredon They stressed that Covid-19 “is still a respiratory virus, like influenza or renovirus (which causes colds) and that it may or may not start with a feverish illness.”
“If the patient has a fever, sore throat, nasal congestion and decay, the only way to discriminate is with a swab and that is why the provincial and national Ministry of Health are evaluating whether to test again to find out if it is Influenza or Covid” , he stated in dialogue with 0223, Veronica Palmisciano, Director of Municipal Health.
Palmisciano asked not to underestimate the symptoms of a flu in the presence of Covid. Photo:0223
The official remarked that in the event of a fever or significant congestion or sore throat, “a don’t underestimate the picture and in principle, if it is a boy, not send him to school, birthdays or visiting grandparents and leave it at home and see how it evolves. If you spend 48 hours like this, you have to go to the doctor”, reasoned the pulmonologist pediatrician.
For Palmisciano, the situation due to the pandemic in Mar del Plata “is calm” due to the few cases, which in the last 10 days have translated into just one 7% positivity and that this week passes by 5%: that is, of every 100 people who are tested, only 5 have Covid.
“Covid is still important and we are closer to the end but Influenza is also a public health concern and you have to keep taking care of yourself: measures such as the use of face masks or handwashing and distance are here to stay. Schools have to continue with cross ventilation, it is true that there is less distance, but maintain care because they will surely remain this year and it is not yet known how long they will be”, he warned.
Lastly, the Director of Municipal Health maintained that although sending the flu shots depend on the provincial and national Ministry of Health, everything indicates that “at the beginning of Aprilthe vaccination campaign will begin in Mar del Plata”, he concluded.