They predict severe flu season due to spread of multiple viruses

* Featured
Thursday, October 26, 2023

Call to take precautions

• Risk of hospitalization from respiratory illness to increase, experts warn

Experts say the current flu season could be one of the worst on record in Mexico as multiple viruses, including influenza A and B, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial RSV, circulate simultaneously for the first time, leading to severe cases. Flu season. Infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, which increase the risk of hospitalization.

“This is new to everyone, there is no previous data, and this is the first time Covid-19 has spread significantly with other respiratory viruses such as influenza A and B and respiratory syncytial virus. So we have to Take extreme precautions because we have not experienced a season like this before,” said Jorge Baruch Díaz, an epidemiologist who heads the travel clinic at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

“During this pandemic, we have only seen coronavirus spreading with other rhinoviruses, mild everyday flu, but not with respiratory syncytial virus or influenza, which are serious illnesses that can lead to complications or death , which is much more likely than rhinovirus.” , he added.

This flu season officially begins in November 2023 and ends in April 2024, and health systems “will be under greater pressure during this season than other seasons” because in previous periods “people typically contracted COVID-19 when they had it and Signs of serious illness, as well as complications such as pneumonia, difficulty breathing, prolonged high fever, resistance to paracetamol or when they become very tired when walking.” Baruch Díaz added that, among other things, during the current national vaccine Children between 6 months and 6 years of age are being “left aside” from Covid-19 (approximately 10 million) in the vaccination campaign.

“These are populations that are at high risk for complications and even consequences from COVID because they can’t get vaccinated in Mexico.”

Covid-19 began to spread in the country at the same time as influenza B and A viruses, such as the H3N2 and H1N1 pandemic strains; in addition to bacteria and respiratory fungi, there was respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which in 2022 There is a significant rebound and the behavior is upward.

“It is expected that at least a large proportion of the general population may be infected at the same time, and this is more likely to occur in people with certain medical conditions, pre-existing conditions, such as immunocompromise (weakened immune system), asthma, Cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV. They are at greater risk of co-infection with covid-19 and influenza when they debut or co-infection with covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus or other Some bacteria are involved.”

Baruch Díaz said vaccination is crucial during this season because it can reduce the risk of hospitalization due to severe illness by 60 to 80 percent.