The consultant of internal diseases and infectious diseases, Dr. Ali Al-Shehri, confirmed that the immune gap is one of the reasons for the strength of the current seasonal influenza.
Al-Shehri explained toNews 24The reason for this is that people were not exposed during the Corona pandemic to mutated viruses, and therefore their bodies did not recognize the virus, especially in light of the lack of great demand for the influenza vaccine, stressing the need to obtain it, for its contribution to preventing infection and transmitting it to others.
He added that influenza is a viral disease that exists throughout the year, and is active in the Kingdom during the month of October and ends in March, indicating that the past two years, seasonal influenza has progressed in appearance and delayed in disappearance, which made it appear this year in September, and may be delayed and end in April or May.
Al-Shehri stressed the difficulty of distinguishing between influenza and corona without a laboratory examination, stressing the occurrence of many known complications, including inflammation of the respiratory system, pain in the throat, and red eyes, and it may develop and lead to inflammation of the middle ear and inflammation of the sinuses and reach inflammation of the lungs, and it may cause meninges in the brain or inflammation. heart or death.
He advised those infected with influenza to apply precautionary and preventive measures, avoid entering crowded places, wear a mask, not leave the house except for necessity, and stay away from people who are most vulnerable to complications, especially children under 5 years of age, pregnant women, and the elderly with chronic diseases.
