During these festivals, Combination of Christmas celebrations, cold temperatures and family gatherings lead to significant rebound in respiratory illnesses in the population. Symptoms such as cough, congestion and fever are common among friends, family and co-workers, causing widespread concern.
The latest report from the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) reflects Between December 11 and 17, the respiratory infection rate was 793.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This figure represents a 37% increase from the previous week, indicating a significant increase in the incidence of respiratory illnesses.
It’s worth mentioning that these figures still don’t fully capture the impact of the most intense days of Christmas celebrations. However, they believe the increase in cases is linked to the spread of several respiratory viruses.
Increase in cases by disease type
Analyzing the report, it can be seen that Influenza experienced the largest increase, reaching 20% from the previous week. This was followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which increased by 15.25%, and SARS-CoV-2, which increased by 14.3%.
The highest infection rates are concentrated in children under four years old, and more pronounced among children under one year old, especially among RSV cases, with 1,565 infections per 100,000 inhabitants.
Detailed data on COVID-19 and its variants
The incidence of influenza (mainly type A) in primary care is 159.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This figure is more than double the previous week’s 68.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
As for SARS-CoV-2, the incidence rate was 113.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with 69.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants the previous week. So far, no new Ómicron variant (JN.1) has been detected, and the most common variant is XBB.1.5 (53.50%), followed by XBB.1.5 (16.87%) and BA.2.86 (14.81%).
prevention tips
The Ministry of Health has issued important recommendations to prevent infection this season:
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
- Use disposable paper towels and dispose of them properly.
- Maintain regular hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol gel.
- Use a mask if you have respiratory symptoms.
- Follow vaccination recommendations.
- If possible, avoid going to work with symptoms of illness.
Differences between COVID-19 and flu symptoms
What needs to be emphasized is that Although COVID-19 and influenza share symptoms such as fever, cough, and fatigue, loss of taste or smell is a unique indicator of SARS-CoV-2. If any symptoms occur, examination is recommended to confirm the diagnosis and take appropriate measures.
In conclusion, there is a significant increase in the incidence of respiratory illnesses over the Christmas period, which highlights the importance of taking preventive measures to mitigate the spread of these viruses and ensure a healthier festive season.