2023-12-30 11:10:58
Many people complain of influenza cases of varying severity coinciding with the holiday season and the return of expatriates. Viruses spread widely among the Lebanese as a result of gatherings and indifference to preventive measures. This led some to fear that the Corona virus would spread once more, with the emergence of an “interesting” variant, according to what the World Health Organization described, which it confirmed was the most widespread and called it “JN1.”
In this context, there is also talk regarding the spread of seasonal influenza H1N1, which is the most common in Lebanon and is an acute respiratory infection. Flu symptoms are similar to those of the new mutant and focus on high fever, severe headache, body aches, and cough. Dr. Eid Azar, a specialist in bacterial diseases, confirms to Al-Modon that “the virus cannot be identified without conducting the necessary tests, especially with the similarity of symptoms.”
Mirna Al-Hinnawi (25 years old) suffered from a respiratory infection and had to be hospitalized as a result of her infection with H1N1, immediately following Christmas Eve and her meeting with a number of friends.
Type A influenza viruses are classified into two types according to the groups of proteins found on the surface of the virus: (A(H1N1) and (A(H3N2), while H1N1 is the most common among people. Seasonal influenza spreads easily and its infection is transmitted quickly in crowded places through droplets containing the viruses. In the air, it can infect people in close proximity to the infected person, and the virus is also spread through hands contaminated with influenza viruses.
Al-Hanawi says: “My friends started getting sick one following another, but I was the only one who was admitted to the hospital.”
According to Azar, “This mutant falls under the Omicron strain, and is not a new mutant. Cases will increase, in addition to the significant spread of influenza.” He stresses the necessity of conducting a rapid test for Corona and influenza in pharmacies as soon as symptoms are felt, along with quarantining for at least 5 days at home.
The World Health Organization renews its calls to use masks and avoid large gatherings, especially with the beginning of the spread of JN1.
The World Health Organization announced an increase in the infection rate of the new mutant by 52% worldwide between November 20 and December 17, 2023. It indicated the necessity of adhering to preventive measures such as sterilization, wearing a mask, and taking vaccines to avoid infection and alleviate symptoms. According to the organization, seasonal influenza causes regarding 3 to 5 million cases of serious illness annually, and regarding 290,000 to 650,000 deaths due to respiratory complications, especially among groups at risk.
The usual flu
The Lebanese Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Health Organization, launched an influenza vaccination campaign last October at the Ministry’s headquarters, following a donation of 10,000 doses of…Vaccine fluSeasonal to Lebanon. The Ministry gave priority to three groups: front-line health care workers, elderly residents in nursing homes contracted with the Ministry, and individuals who suffer from chronic health conditions, especially dialysis patients who are covered by the Ministry of Health.
The United Nations Information Center in Beirut indicated that “estimates of the burden of influenza in Lebanon are rare. Available data indicate that the burden of influenza in Lebanon is estimated at 48.1 per 100,000 patients admitted to hospital due to seasonal influenza.”
With our interest in preventive measures fading following the end of the Corona wave, influenza has returned to spread and constitute a source of concern for the Lebanese. However, it is a usual seasonal flu. As for its treatment, Azar emphasizes that “antibiotics do not work with these types of viruses, and vaccines and home examination are very useful in these cases.” The World Health Organization also recommends staying at home, resting, drinking sufficient amounts of fluids, and seeking medical care when needed.
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