According to the data of the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), last year only 12 cases of .
However, this acute infectious disease has returned with force after two years hidden by the coronavirus pandemic. The flu season, which normally starts in January and ends on March 31, is lengthening this year with a peak incidence in the last three weeks.
“All surveillance indicators indicate an increase in the circulation of influenza viruses,” warns in one of its latest reports on .
The highest flu rates in Primary Care, explains the organization, are observed in the age group 0-4 yearswhere it has reached a peak in the week of March 7 to 13 and a downward trend until the week of March 28 to April 3.
The percentage of positivity for influenza has increased from the week of January 24 to 30 (7.4%) to reach 41% in the week of March 13 to 19, and has stabilized downwards in the following weeksalthough well above compared to the last two seasons.
This increase, says the ISCIII, “coincides with the decrease in SARS-CoV-2 positivity.” In the week of March 21 to 27, the percentage of positive samples for influenza was 36.8%, compared to 5.3% for coronavirus.
Regarding patients who have required hospitalizationthe highest rate “is observed in the group aged 80 or over, where a downward trend has been maintained since the week of March 28.”
Since the start of the 2021-2022 season, two flu outbreaks have been reported in Aragon during the month of March and both occurred in nursing homes.
What is the flu and what are its symptoms?
The flu It is produced by the influenza virus, which affects the respiratory system, and is transmitted from person to person. Several types are distinguished:
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“Seasonal” flu (every winter).
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Pandemic flu (for example, 2009-2010 H1N1 or also called “swine” flu).
The (FESEMI) points out that, although most people infected with the flu heal on their own and do not have any subsequent problems, “in chronic patients it can be dangerous”.
So much so that some of them need hospitalization and, in some cases, this respiratory virus can cause death. “This is because the flu can cause a serious lung infection called ”.
Flu symptoms come on suddenly and can include:
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Fever.
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Shaking chills.
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Sore throat.
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Nasal congestion.
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Muscle pain.
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Headache.
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Fatigue and/or tiredness.
In children, in addition, it is frequent that together with these symptoms, vomiting and diarrhea also occur.
But once we have already (with the exception of hospitals, social health centers and public transport), how can we differentiate between the flu, a common cold, COVID-19 and seasonal allergies?
The symptoms of the coronavirus, and even more after the arrival of the omicron variant, complicate its differentiation from a cold due to the sensation of pharyngeal involvement, fever, cough, general malaise or chills.
The main difference of SARS-CoV-2 compared to the flu, cold and seasonal allergy is that the symptoms of the infection begin around the third day after having been in contact with an infected person.
In the case of the flu, they appear one to seven days after coming into contact with the influenza virus. While cold symptoms usually appear two to three days after being exposed to the infection.
If it is a spring allergy, we will notice it as soon as we are exposed to allergens such as pollen or grasses.
Is it COVID-19, flu, cold or allergy?
The common symptoms of the four pathologies are cough, congestion and runny nose.
However, this last symptom, mucus, is more watery and transparent in allergies, and yellowish in the case of infections such as the flu, colds, and coronavirus.
However, other symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue and tiredness are typical of COVID-19 and the flu. And although he a cold also shares some of these symptoms, it is not usual for it to produce fever or low-grade fever (not higher than 38º C).
It manifests itself, in addition to ringing in the chest, difficulty breathing, dry cough… with itchy eyes, nose, sneezing and conjunctivitis.
A clear way to know if it is an allergy (and not another pathology) is to monitor if the symptoms increase outdoors due to exposure to pollen or grasses, or indoors (due to dust mites or the hair of domestic pets ).
How to avoid the flu?
As with other viruses, a series of simple measures must be followed to prevent its spread.
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Wash hands frequently with soap and water. You can also resort to the use of hydroalcoholic gels if we do not have access to running water.
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Avoid physical contact with infected people until at least 24 hours have passed without fever, as recommended by the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (FESEMI).
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As the most common way of contagion is the hands, you have to cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when coughing or sneezing.
If you are infected, “stay at home, rest and drink plenty of fluids. You can also take paracetamol to relieve fever and aches. And if the symptoms worsen (difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, severe vomiting …) or suffer from a debilitating chronic disease, consult your family doctor”, they specify from the society.