According to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the government institution that monitors the spread of viruses, among other things, there is no reason to worry: it is simply part of the time of year. The institute even calls it the ‘respiratory infection season’ on its own website. Several viruses are circulating now, including the RS virus, the flu virus and the coronavirus.
According to the most recent figures from the Infection radar from the RIVM approximately 517 of the 11,498 respondents asked had corona-related complaints such as a stuffy nose and a sore throat. This concerns 4.5 percent of the participants in the study. Only 1 percent actually tested positive for corona.
The slight increase in corona infections since June has everything to do with our own behavior. Now that temperatures are dropping, it gets dark earlier and the sun shows up less often, we are moving indoors more. “People sit close together, often with the windows closed and there is less ventilation,” a RIVM spokesperson explains.
New rounds of vaccinations
“The slight increase in infections since June is in line with expectations,” the RIVM said. “You also see that it rocks back and forth a bit.”
Since it is that time of year, the new vaccination rounds have also started again. Not only for corona, but also for flu, for example. “We want to have people protected before the start of the season.”
How sick people become from the viruses that are circulating varies per person. “The severity of a respiratory infection can vary from a mild cold to a serious pneumonia,” says the RIVM.
Still stay home
The RIVM advises people who contract a respiratory infection to stay at home when sick. With minor complaints it is better to work from home. If that is not possible, it is advisable to wear a mouth-nose mask.
Furthermore, the coronavirus advice that is familiar to many applies: cough and sneeze into your elbow, keep your distance from others and avoid contact with people who could become seriously ill from a respiratory infection.
2023-10-12 05:24:16
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