“They are just seasonal viruses.” Here are the warning symptoms –

When the autumn season arrives, we’re back to talking about the flu. «First cases of flu in Lombardy» and beyond. «What some call Australian is coming. But why Australian? Just because in Australia they have winter before us? Let’s not call it that, it is the message of the infectious disease specialist Matteo Bassetti. They are simply “seasonal viruses”. Specifically we are talking about «H3N2, which is not a virus that has only been seen in Australia. There has always been H3N2″ in the family of winter pathogens that are in action all over the world, “so much so that H3N2 is also contained in the vaccine that was also available in other years”, he highlights to Adnkronos Health.

«Why do we have more in-depth and updated data in Australia? Because they have a better detection, tracking and epidemiological system than other countries in the world – explains the expert – So let’s take inspiration from there to see how the flu season went”. And preceding us in the winter, «someone renamed the ‘Australian’ flu. But from a scientific point of view it is not called that.” The virus referred to these days when this ‘nickname’ is used remains the usual “H3N2, and it is one of the viruses that causes the flu”, he specifies. «After that, it must be said that the flu arrived more or less like last year», that is, «it was quite early even compared to what happened in the past. And there are still many people who have not had the vaccination, because many Regions have not yet fully started, so we must continue”, urges the director of Infectious Diseases of the San Martino polyclinic hospital in Genoa.

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The expert, in a post on Facebook, also offers some advice on how to recognize the flu. Distinguishing it from other respiratory viruses «is not easy – he admits – The symptoms of actual flu, which can last for more than a week, are characterized by high fever above 38 degrees, which arises suddenly; at least one respiratory symptom such as cough, runny nose, and red eyes; and at least one general symptom such as muscle and joint pain, headache, fatigue, but also nausea and diarrhea. Diarrhea, vomiting and nausea are easier for children.” How to deal with it? “It is essential not to use antibiotics and stuff yourself with drugs.”