Three quarters of Spaniards suffer from flu or cold at least once a year

Cold temperatures have been with us throughout the fall and winter, which means the start of cold and flu season, and data shows the incidence of these respiratory viruses is increasing. Cough, headache, malaise, nasal congestion or fever are the most common and typical symptoms of these diseases that affect a large number of citizens. Specifically, according to the study, 3 out of 4 Spaniards suffer from the flu or cold at least once a year, with 10% claiming to have recurring symptoms of these illnesses regardless of the season. Executed for Kenvue by international consultancy Kantar.

The report also revealed that 75% of people do not treat the different symptoms of flu and colds, while 25% opt for specific treatments for these illnesses. In this sense, the data from this study also show that more than half of the respondents did not take any action when the first symptoms appeared, specifically 54.3%; the situation changes when the flu intensifies, because at this time 40.2 % of people do turn to flu medication.

“Covid-19, influenza and the common cold are three viral diseases that cause symptoms that make patients sick.. Therefore, thorough treatment targeting their symptoms is a good way to better cope with these diseases, where multi-symptom treatment plays an important role. In this sense, as far as influenza and colds are concerned, when more effective methods are available in anti-flu medicines, people turn to medicines such as paracetamol, because these medicines, in addition to paracetamol, contain other active ingredients such as relieving Dextromethorphan for coughs due to its antitussive effect; Chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine active ingredient for runny noses and sneezing; Caffeine to fight decay and vitamin C to aid tissue repair,” Assure the pharmacist Francisco Javier Iniesta.

Here’s what’s forecast for the 2023-24 flu season

According to data collected by the Carlos III Institute’s Surveillance System for Acute Respiratory Infections (SiVIRA), influenza activity began to increase during these weeks in November, with cases in primary care intensifying. This is increasing, but not the same as last year, as the same week in 2022, the flu rate reached 14%, compared to 2.1% this year. The last quarter’s sustained rise since 2023 began with a sharp rebound in flu cases. Data from the Influenza Surveillance System of the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) show that the number of tests for the virus increased by almost 185% in the first week of January compared to 2022, specifically by 183.96%.

This year, based on data from the end of the southern hemisphere winter (May to August), it is expected that the rebound in influenza season cases will be weaker than last winter. , but become longer over time, causing these viral infections to persist throughout the fall and winter months.

This is how he explained it Estanislao Nistar, CEU PhD in Virology, Researcher and Professor of Microbiology, Department of Pharmacy, University of San Pablo: “We are expected to reach the peak of flu infections later in 2023 than last year, probably after Christmas. This is logical since this is a time of increased interaction and contact, so the flow of infections tends to increase. It is also important to emphasize that since the first wave of cases that occurred in October 2022 has not yet occurred, this flu and cold season is expected to be more similar to what we experienced before the pandemic began. ”

Flu and colds coexist with Covid-19

While influenza remains at a stable level, SARS-CoV-2 cases continue to increase daily. Covid-19 cases have increased this summer due to the emergence of new variants such as EG.5 and BA.2.86.

As Estanislao Nistal details, the coexistence of these different diseases will continue to be the norm: “Influenza and Covid-19 are both respiratory illnesses caused by viruses that, at their mildest, have similar symptoms: fever, malaise, runny nose… The two diseases have similar transmission routes, so since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, they have shared space with other respiratory viral infections caused by adenovirus, rhinovirus, and other coronaviruses.

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In this context, the authorities encourage high-risk people over the age of 65 to receive the flu vaccine and the Covid-19 vaccine to protect against both diseases, the latter being a single-dose vaccine, as the Council has already noted.national health system 2023-2024 Seasonal Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations. The influenza vaccination campaign began in October this year and will continue until the end of January, with the aim of vaccinating 75% of high-risk groups. In this context, due to the coexistence of influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2, the 2023 campaign will be a permanent and special one, since the synergistic effect observed between the two infections doubles the risk of death from simultaneous infection .

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask your primary care doctor or pharmacist.