Flu and its destruction

Influenza is a viral infection that primarily affects the nose, throat, bronchi, and occasionally the lungs.

According to World Health Organization The flu is worse than a common cold, the symptoms are often more serious, and the onset is often more sudden.

In fact, it represents one of the biggest challenges public health in the world, according to this body.

It is transmitted by droplets that are formed when a an infected person sneezes or whooping cough, usually has an epidemiological peak in South America between the months of April and July, so the region is going through a season where recognizing symptoms and consequences is essential for protection.

In Panama, this year ended the life of more than one ten peopleaccording to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, which pointed out that most of the deceased did not have the vaccine.

It is estimated that there every year billion cases globally of which 3 to 5 million are severe, potentially leading to 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths associated with the disease, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

PAHO points out in its regional report on the situation in Flucorresponding to epidemiological week 19, that the region of the Americas has experienced an increase in virus activity, especially in countries such as Colombia, Panama, Ecuador and El Salvador, where cases correspond to both type A and type B.

Faced with this panorama, it is necessary to insist on the question the importance of vaccination as a first preventive measure against infection, especially in at-risk populations such as children under five, pregnant women, the elderly, patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension, and healthcare workers, says Julio Tresierra, medical director of Sanofi vaccines for the COPAC region.

symptoms and more

Tresierra remembers what the symptoms were flu so that the population is prepared.

The most common are fever, muscle pain, chills and sweatingheadache, persistent dry cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle and body aches, which usually come on suddenly and vary in intensity.

In addition, other respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 They can have flu-like symptoms, so it’s important to see a doctor at any warning sign, warns the specialist.

“It is important that the population knows these symptoms and that they go to you in case they appear medical service timely, but above all we call people to get vaccinated, because in this way they not only protect their health but also those around them, because vaccination can also prevent the spread of the virus,” insists Tresierra.