It’s the season of colds and flu viruses, health institutions are recording an increase in the number of patients presenting with respiratory problems. The peak of seasonal flu is expected at the beginning of February, and doctors advise strengthening immunity.
Cough, sore throat, elevated body temperature, sneezing, runny nose are common symptoms of colds and flu. So far, no patients with complications of respiratory diseases have been recorded.
Elvin Kereš, specialist in Emergency Medicine (Ambulance):
“Increased temperature dominates and everything that accompanies it, headache, general weakness, malaise, loss of appetite. And it is expected that the complaints last from 4 to 5 days. This virus is very virulent and it often happens that all family members get sick, so it is recommended to wear a protective mask and avoid all unnecessary contact.”
In addition to colds and flu, there are also other diseases with similar symptoms, among them metapneumovirus, the rate of which has increased in the northern hemisphere. However, the World Health Organization has not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns.
Ednan Drljević, epidemiologist:
“Colds are getting worse, seasonal flu is also appearing now, there is always a new strain or some new strains are being updated and the respiratory syncytial virus is appearing, the adenovirus is appearing, and now there is also the metapneumovirus and these are common diseases. It is very difficult to distinguish between them, especially the symptoms of cold and flu, and these new corona viruses cause inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, it does not cause pneumonia, so it is also in this type of mild respiratory diseases, as well as adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus.”
Apart from preventive medicines, the flu vaccine is the best protection, doctors say, and the free vaccination in KS is still ongoing. It is recommended for risk groups, including pensioners, people over 65, chronically ill, pregnant women, as well as employees in public institutions, and those who meet a large number of people during the day.
Arman Šarkić, Public Relations JUDZKS:
“We have far fewer patients in the population over 65 years old, which is commendable because it means that they still follow our recommendations, the recommendations of doctors and medical staff, which means that the highest percentage of them are vaccinated against the seasonal flu. Vaccinations are still ongoing in all 9 health centers. We received 7,770 doses this season, and there are still 1,000 doses that have been distributed to all 9 homes.”
In the time of climate changes that bring temperature oscillations, but also when our air is increasingly polluted, the prevention of diseases, especially respiratory diseases, becomes imperative.
Source: N1
