Understanding and Addressing Respiratory Conditions during the End-of-Year Season: Insights from the National Institute of Health

2023-12-30 21:38:51

During the end-of-year season, different citizens have presented respiratory disorders and infections, due to the climate changes that occur in this last period of the year.

Symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, joint pain and temperature changes are some of the respiratory conditions.

What does the National Institute of Health say?

On the subject, the National Institute of Health (INS) spoke out and assured that cases of respiratory infections usually increase during the end-of-year season, this is because social interaction intensifies.

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“The increase in cases of respiratory infection that occurs during the last quarter of the year and that increases in December and January due to greater social interaction, such as temperature changes due to the climatic phenomena that we are experiencing, the phenomenon of El Niño,” the INS reported.

Respiratory viruses in Colombia

The INS reported that, according to the epidemiological analysis that has been carried out, different respiratory viruses have circulated so far in 2023, which in particular have affected children and older adults.

The viruses that have circulated are respiratory syncytial, rhinovirus, SARS-CoV-2, better known as Covid-19.

Between October and November, 36% of infections due to respiratory infections in younger children were mainly due to syncytial virus, followed by rhinovirus and SARS-CoV-2. In the case of older adults, they have also been affected by syncytial.

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“We had a slight peak by department that half of the year, in addition to a significant circulation of the respiratory syncytial virus throughout the year. It is important to take preventive measures and complete vaccination schedules for this last peak of the year,” said Franklyn Prieto, director of public health surveillance at the INS.

The INS also reported that the circulation of the Ómicron variant was detected, which is the one that has been predominating in the country along with others.

How to reinforce respiratory care?

The INS provided different recommendations to strengthen self-care measures and protection from respiratory infections.

One of the main recommendations is to ensure the dose of influenza, like Covid-19. There is also strengthening and intensifying hand washing, ventilation, use of face masks and avoiding meetings and crowds if you have symptoms.

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“It is very important to remember the warning signs in children and older adults, such as high fever, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness or seizures,” the INS reported.

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