Francisco Cordoba/”El Diario”
Monday, November 27, 2023 | 13:35
Chihuahua.- According to data provided by the state of Chihuahua, a total of 4,340 cases of pneumonia and bronchopneumonia occurred in Chihuahua in 2023, an increase of 553 cases compared with the same period in 2022. This number makes the state one of the regions with the highest incidence rate in Mexico. General Directorate of Epidemiology, Ministry of Health.
In light of this, the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) urges the population to take preventive measures against this and other seasonal illnesses.
According to the epidemiological surveillance report for the 44th week as of early November, there are 2,240 men and 2,100 women suffering from the disease. In this sense, taking into account the changes in temperature, the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) urges the population to adopt health promotion measures to prevent respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, influenza syndrome and bronchitis, as well as the exacerbation of diseases such as asthma. and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is more common due to cold.
Edgar Vinicio Mondragón Armijo, head of the Medical Area of Aging, Chronic and Neurodegenerative Diseases in the Clinical Excellence Unit, recommends visiting the Unit of Family Medicine (UMF) for a preventive check-up and Update the vaccination program, especially medicines to prevent influenza, Covid-19 and pneumococcal diseases according to age group and risk factors.
He noted that it is important to maintain adequate control of chronic conditions and not self-medicate, maintain a healthy diet including taking citrus fruits or vitamin C supplements, wear warm clothing on cold days, cover the nose and mouth. When the temperature changes, sneeze correctly, wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching your face with dirty hands.
Regarding the issue of wearing masks, he said that although it is not mandatory, it is still recommended to use masks in public places and crowded places because it can reduce the possibility of contracting respiratory infections.
Dr. Mondragón Armijo stresses that these measures are particularly important for children, the elderly and people with respiratory or chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, since contagion can be more serious if it occurs.
He stressed that the increase in cases of respiratory diseases, especially influenza, among minors was to be expected as a large proportion of girls and boys stayed at home during the Covid-19 pandemic and therefore began to develop immunity to the new normal. They live with other minors in schools and public places.
He pointed out that this situation is reflected in what China is experiencing, with an increase in SARS cases, which have not yet shown serious symptoms, and the development of minors is generally good; “The mortality rate is not high, and it does not seem to be A new pandemic virus. This may be due to the nature of the child population that has not been immune in recent years.”
Social security experts said that if you have respiratory symptoms such as excessive nasal discharge, persistent cough, coughed up mucus (sputum) that changes from white to yellow, or fever, you should seek medical treatment in time. with the family doctor.
He added that if the symptoms are more severe, that is, they begin to worsen and are accompanied by a feeling of lack of air, an increase in phlegm, an increase in fever and, most importantly, if breathing becomes more labored and difficult to breathe. Eyes, intercostal spaces, should be noted in emergency areas, as there may be pneumonia or some respiratory infection that requires immediate attention.