While Brazil is still facing a dengue epidemic, cases of influenza are beginning to explode, which arrived earlier this year, due to numerous factors that impact the atypical peaks seen in recent years. The infectious disease specialist, Dr. Bernardo Almeida, who is the medical director of Hilab – a biotech specializing in clinical analysis -, states that vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent influenza infection and its complications. “By getting vaccinated you reduce the risk of disease, but mainly reduce the risk of severe forms and mortality, factors that are highly relevant for the elderly, pregnant women and those with other vulnerabilities”, comments the doctor.
Bernardo goes on to explain that diagnosing the disease is a fundamental factor in delivering more effective treatment, reducing the severity of symptoms and preventing complications. “In the case of these diseases, with very similar clinical symptoms, the diagnosis makes the distinction and allows specific practices to be adopted for each one, which can interfere considerably in the management of each patient”, he says.
The infectious disease specialist adds that identifying the disease contributes to more effective epidemiological monitoring, allowing the implementation of public health measures that will alleviate pressure on the healthcare system. “In summary, both vaccination and diagnosis play fundamental roles in the prevention, control and treatment of viral respiratory diseases, contributing to individual and collective health”, he points out.
Finally, Dr. Bernardo Almeida says that there are several measures that can be adopted to prevent contamination, avoid an explosion of cases or the severity of clinical manifestations in the case of influenza infection. Check out the most basic ones, but they are among the main ones.
- Vaccination: Annual influenza and flu vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent infection and its complications, especially for more vulnerable populations.
- Sanitization of hands: Just like in the Covid-19 era, washing your hands frequently, with soap and water, or using alcohol gel, can help reduce the spread of the virus.
- Respiratory etiquette: When coughing or sneezing, it is important to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow, to prevent the virus from spreading through the air.
- Avoid close contact with sick people: If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, it is important to avoid close contact with other people to prevent transmission. The use of surgical masks helps reduce the spread of viral particles in the environment.
- Cleaning and disinfection: Keeping frequently touched surfaces and objects clean and disinfected can help reduce the spread of the virus, just like in the time of coronavirus.
