Influenza A strikes Spanish family

After the query volume gradually increased Respiratory diseases Since September, the Christmas and New Year holidays have been besieged by patients, either from Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and, above all, from influenza. Europe as a whole has experienced rising respiratory infection rates since mid-December, with rates in Spain expected to peak next week following family gatherings.

Of all diseases, influenza was particularly prominent in Spain, where until January 4 it had multiplied in every corner. 46% of positive samples within a week, That’s 10 percentage points higher than the peak positivity rate last season in 2022-2023, according to the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII).in Influenza A accounts for 98.9%.

It differs from regular flu in that type A causes a higher fever

this Influenza A (H1N1) It is increasing and accounts for a large proportion of current primary care consultations. In addition to the stabilization of the increase in cases last week, rates of severe respiratory infections in hospitals have also increased globally. As of January 4, the incidence rate of the disease was 28.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with 21 cases the previous week, with higher rates among people over 80 and under one year old, who are most vulnerable to the disease .

It differs from regular influenza in that influenza A causes The fever is higher, As the Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Clinical University of Navarra says, Dr. José Luis Del Pozo. This respiratory infection has a lower mortality rate of 1% to 4%, but a higher morbidity rate, meaning it spreads significantly.

The main symptoms are fever above 38 degrees, frequent severe coughing, headache, sore throat, loss of appetite, nasal congestion, general malaise, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, which are similar to ordinary influenza. Severe clinical symptoms may occur if left untreated or if they occur in patients with other medical conditions.

seasonal influenza vaccination

The increase in cases has been confirmed, and many areas are still worried about the increase after the holidays.In fact, after family gatherings, sales of antigen and flu tests increased by 60% between December 26 and 31, with sales of 1.6 million test units.

The flu vaccine protects about 80% of those who get it from contracting the disease.

Faced with this situation, experts have called for Precaution, The above measures were taken in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health on the resumption of wearing masks in health centers and the autonomous regions, etc. Valencia, Catalonia, Canary Islands, Aragon, Murcia and Asturias. Likewise, health professionals remember The importance of vaccination.

Flu vaccine Protects approximately 80% of people from contracting the disease it is managed, collected Ministry of Health of Castilla-La Mancha. It is also highly effective at reducing symptom severity and risk of serious complications in older adults and people with chronic illnesses.

After the vaccine appears 2009, the year of the largest influenza A virus pandemic The H1N1 virus first emerged, starting in Mexico in March and spreading around the world within six weeks. An article published by Archivos de Bronconeumología recalls that the most affected groups are children, young people and adults under 30 years old, with mortality concentrated among those between 20 and 50 years old.

With the advent of vaccines against H1N1 influenza, the impact of influenza on society has decreased. Now, in view of the increase in cases and hospitalizations after Christmas family gatherings, the scientific association reminds of the need to vaccinate the most vulnerable and for society as a whole to adopt preventive measures: wear masks, maintain hygiene, ventilate and avoid crowded places.