During the rainy season it is common to see more people with respiratory diseasesthis is because there are more crowds in closed areas, explained the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance.
These diseases include: Covid-19 and the influenzawhose cases increase during this season for the same reason, because if in the place where people gather there is someone who has one of these diseases, he or she spreads it to those who are in the same place and then to another person nearby, and so on. An example of this is that when it rains, people seek shelter in an enclosed area.
What Covid-19 variants are circulating in Guatemala?
According to the surveillance maintained by the National Health Laboratory on the variants of the Covid-19since last year to date, the variant circulating in Guatemala is Omicron.
In addition, the subvariant of Omicron, JN.1explained María del Mar Ordóñez, responsible for infection surveillance respiratory acute and viruses respiratory of the Epidemiology Department of the Ministry of Health.
However, this does not represent an additional public health problem, more than the disease itself, since the virus somehow found a certain stability, and there have been no more changes or mutations as there were in 2021 and 2022.
You can also read: What are the most common diseases caused by rain in Guatemala?
How many types of influenza are circulating in the country?
Ordóñez explained that the virus of the influenza is the one that causes the Covid-19As the SARS-CoV-2.
The subtypes of influenza circulating in the country are the H1N1 and the H3N2as well as the influenza type A y type B.
When do cases increase?
These viruses circulate in certain seasons of the year, which causes an increase in cases of influenza y Covid-19.
Cases of Covid-19 They rise in the months of November and December, as well as in February, and in the middle of the year: in June, July and August.
Regarding the cases of influenzathese increase at the beginning of the year: March and April, as well as in June and at the end of the year.
The popular belief that the rainhe cold or the heat cause these diseases is false, since although it is true that there are more patients during this season, it is due to people’s behavior, because when it rains, people look for closed spaces, causing crowds, and if there is someone in this place who suffers from the disease, this person infects someone else.
The same thing happens when it is very hot, as people seek out closed spaces where there is air conditioning, and if someone with the virus is in this closed area, they infect others.
Thus, climatic conditions are not associated with respiratory illnesses, but rather because people seek out closed spaces rather than open air, Ordóñez explained.
Who is most likely to get infected?
Most patients are minors, between 5 years old, as well as adults over 65 years old, but especially those who have some comorbidity such as diabetes.
It is therefore important to take precautions to protect these vulnerable groups and prevent them from developing severe symptoms.
However, people of other ages, as well as health professionals, are also prone to getting sick, so it is important that they also take measures.
Regarding the symptoms, Ordóñez explained that clinically it is difficult to determine what characteristics differentiate the Covid-19 of the influenzaso it is important to perform a medical examination to determine which virus is present.
However, in some cases the following symptoms occur:
- Headache
- Muscle pains
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Fatigue
This situation is favorable, said Ordóñez, since the symptoms are similar between Covid-19 and the influenzathe treatment will also be similar.
Take precautions and follow recommendations
For older adults who suffer from any comorbidity, it is important that they do not stop taking their treatment and maintain regular medical control over the disease they suffer from. And, if they present any symptoms respiratorygo to a health center to receive timely care.
As for children, if they have any symptoms respiratory They should consult health services in a timely manner, so that they receive adequate treatment and avoid complications.
In addition, the general recommendations are:
- Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms to avoid infecting other people
- Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing
- Handwashing
- Avoid mass gatherings if you have respiratory symptoms to avoid spreading the disease.
#crowds #increase #Covid19 #influenza #Health
