Expert María Montoya González explains: “The coronavirus is an apprentice mutant after the flu.”

The latest report from the Spanish Surveillance System for Acute Respiratory Infections (SiVIRA) talks about Spain’s “triple epidemic”: influenza, COVID-19 and bronchitis spreading across the country. This is not a typical winter situation, especially considering that flu deaths have increased since 2016. In 2015, the virus killed 487 people. In 2016, the number reached 647. In 2017 and 2018, the number increased: 1,175 and 1,852 respectively. Then the pandemic hit and levels dropped to historic lows until 2022, when things returned to previous levels.That’s why it’s important Know what to do about the flu and do it with expert voices Just like Maria Montoya Gonzalez.

PhD in Biology, Scientist at Margarita Salas Biological Research Center (CIB-CSIC), His field of work is viral immunology, and his research focuses on influenza viruses.. In short: In this moment, Maria Montoya Gonzalez is a voice that needs to be heard. Most importantly, when we talk about the myths and legends surrounding the flu. Let’s give an example.

“Antiviral treatments are somewhat effective, but they are not as effective as a preventative measure when we are already infected,” Montoya Gonzalez explained to CNN in a phone conversation. Antiviral Drugs Used For people whose immune systems may be compromised, in the following areas: Antibiotics Remember They Don’t Affect Flu. The best way to avoid influenza, a respiratory virus, is to avoid contact with infected people. You have to keep the place ventilated, wear a mask, it’s all about prevention.”.

There is also a widespread myth related to antibiotics. We often take antibiotics to treat the flu, and some people report that they feel better after taking them. One reason may be because it coincides with the flu cycle, but there’s another reason. Montoya González, a student of Margarita Salas, explained: “What happens is, Viruses open the door to other pathogens, sometimes lowering defenses and becoming more complex. Therefore, we may develop bacterial infections, and antibiotics are important if secondary infections occur. In this case, they are effective, but because they treat secondary infections, not influenza. That’s why we improve. But the virus is stimulated by antibiotics. ”

The question then becomes how we deal with the virus, and Montoya Gonzalez points to two very straightforward approaches: Get vaccinated and avoid contact with infected people. If we know we have the flu, do we use a mask as a precaution to avoid getting infected or to avoid spreading it.

In one of them, the mask, we can act directly. When it comes to vaccinations, however, the situation is more complicated. The CSIC expert added: “Every year, we formulate influenza vaccines using viruses that are circulating, and we try to make them as effective as possible. WHO laboratories around the world can detect influenza variables and build on this Formulate vaccines. Annually The effect varies depending on the geographical area

. Influenza viruses mutate and change very much, and their components are easily exchanged between different influenza viruses. It’s as if we laid out all the dominoes and picked eight at random every year. This creates the difficulty of being 100% efficient, and we haven’t achieved that yet. In some areas it can reach 80%. “

This is one of the distinguishing features between influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the new coronavirus: their ability to mutate. Montoya González confirmed: “The new coronavirus is a mutant second only to influenza.” Now we know what virus mutations look like, but influenza viruses have more mutation mechanisms, which makes All our scientists are happy. Influenza is much more complex. Actually, Those of us who work with influenza thought the next pandemic would be influenza, and it will be COVID-19But I’m scared of what will happen with the new flu viruses that emerge every year. Fortunately, at a general level, we already know how to take action to avoid the spread of respiratory viruses. “

Let’s get back to the most common myth.Some new and dispersed content in social networks, e.g. Viral citrus juice drink (orange, lemon, lime) served with ginger, honey and turmeric. These are said to be good for the flu…

Montoya Gonzalez said: “To protect ourselves from the flu, we need a strong immune system, and smoothies can help us deal with the flu, along with a healthy diet, exercise, enough sleep…all These all contribute to stability,” and immune system strength. Everything helps because you feed your immune system

But it is not decisive. What is decisive is a treatment, a vaccine, and a mask. ”

Finally, we have Grandma’s Myth: Dress Warmly and Don’t Walk Around the House Barefoot. Looks like they might have some truth to it. The CSIC researchers concluded: “Influenza replicates better when temperatures drop, and in a sense we open the door for the virus.” So on this point, we agree with all the grandmothers. To this I would like to add that as “home remedies” we can say that not cooling down, ventilating, and wearing masks can play a preventive role. ”