Susceptible and Silent: The Hidden Battle of Respiratory Viruses in Our Most Fragile Populations

Susceptible and Silent: The Hidden Battle of Respiratory Viruses in Our Most Fragile Populations

Asunción, IP Agency.- According to the Ministry of Health report, pediatric patients and people over 80 years of age continue to be the most affected by respiratory viruses. That is why it is urged to get vaccinated with annual doses against influenza and covid-19.

The respiratory viruses identified in the last week among hospitalized patients were: syncytial virus, SARS-CoV2 and Rhinovirus. Cases of Metapneumovirus, Parainfluenza and Influenza B were also recorded.

In the last week (SE) 38, 32,505 flu consultations were reported nationwide, according to partial data, keeping the epidemic curve above the alert threshold.

In this period, 365 people were hospitalized for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in the Sentinel Centers. The majority of hospitalized cases are associated with respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV2. 56% of hospitalizations correspond to pediatric age.

Covid-19

At the end of week (SE) 38, 259 positive cases of covid-19 were confirmed in 16 regions of the country. The largest number of cases of infection (62%) come from the Metropolitan axis: Central (31%) and Asunción (31%).

3,164 samples were processed for SARS-COV2, showing a positivity of 8.5%.

There is an increase of 5% in hospitalized patients due to covid-19. Some 38 people were hospitalized due to the infection, 4 of them were admitted to intensive care. The highest number of boarding schools remains in the group of children under 5 years of age and people over 80 years of age.

According to the report, no deaths were confirmed at the end of last week.

Preventive measures

Remember to wash your hands correctly and frequently, ventilate closed environments, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and avoid coming into close contact with people who show signs of respiratory illness.

It is vital to access vaccination against circulating respiratory viruses. Vaccines against covid-19 and influenza are available from 6 months of age, in the country’s vaccination centers.

Timely consultation

In the presence of fever or respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat or other), it is recommended to wear a mask, seek medical attention and not self-medicate, in order to prevent complications of the condition.

Timely medical consultation is essential to have a diagnosis, determine the virus, receive the corresponding treatment, and comply with rest to prevent the spread of the disease.

#Children #older #people #continue #affected #respiratory #viruses

Leave a Replay