How risky is it to get the flu in 2023?

With the arrival of cold and autumn and winter, diseases at this time also appear, Flu and colds. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that is easily spread through coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, runny nose, dry cough, headache, muscle pain and fatigue.

In most cases, symptoms resolve within a week and do not require medical attention.Although, for those High-risk groups, this is not a mild illness, can lead to more serious complications, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, which can even be fatal. Hospitalizations and deaths from influenza are more frequent among these high-risk groups.

According to data World Health Organizationthere will be some every year 1 billion cases of seasonal influenzaOf these, 3 to 5 million are severely infected, resulting in 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths. In addition, 99% of deaths in children under five years of age due to respiratory infections related to this disease occur in developing countries.

Who are the high-risk groups?

this The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated

. The Ministry of Health recommends vaccination for high-risk groups and their caregivers:

• people from 60 years or more
• people from 5 years or more inmates of disabled centers and nursing homes
• older than 65 years and risk profile: Hepatitis, morbid obesity, chronic cardiovascular/neuro/respiratory diseases, chronic kidney disease, hemoglobinopathies and anemia, asplenia or severe splenic dysfunction, chronic liver disease, neuromuscular disease, immunosuppression, cancer and hematological malignancies, diseases involving cognitive impairment Cognitive dysfunction diseases and disorders
• pregnant Women in any trimester of pregnancy and within six months of delivery
• people cohabitant People with high levels of immunosuppression
• center staff and health and social care agencies
• people who have worked basic public serviceswith special emphasis on: national security forces and agencies, firefighters and civil protection services

In Spain, a combined influenza and COVID-19 vaccination campaign has begun, although autonomous regions by a different calendars.