There will be between 6 and 8 million cases of seasonal flu this year of medium-high intensity but with a probably milder spread than the previous year, thanks to the preventive actions implemented against the Covid-19 pandemic. A research by Assosalute was to photograph the approach of Italians to the next flu season.
“Looking at what is happening in the southern hemisphere – explained virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco, speaking at the webinar organized by Assosalute ‘Italians and seasonal flu at the time of Coronavirus’
– we know that two variants of type A and a new variant of type B have been identified and that the flu season could be characterized by a medium-high intensity. In line with what recorded in previous years, between 6 and 8 million Italians will stay in bed. At the same time, however, we note how the preventive actions, implemented to contain the pandemic by Covid-19, are also limiting the spread of the classic seasonal flu, making it milder in practice “.
The ability to distinguish simple seasonal flu from Covid-19 symptoms remains central: the most widespread fear among Italians is precisely that of not being able to readily distinguish them (33% of the interviewees); then there is that of not being able to receive adequate care (14.7%), especially among the over 65s, and the fear of new isolation (14%), especially among the youngest.
“Distinguishing the normal flu from Covid-19 is not so simple – continues Pregliasco – although the two viruses are different, the symptoms that characterize seasonal flu and Covid-19 are very similar; the only sure way to make a diagnosis differential is, therefore, to run the buffer “.
“It is good to remember – adds Pregliasco – that the flu with which we deal every year always has the same characteristics: sudden onset of fever over 38, presence of at least one systemic symptom (muscle / joint pain) and a respiratory symptom (cough, runny nose, nasal congestion / discharge, sore throat). Momentary loss (anosmia) or decreased sense of smell (hyposmia), loss (ageusia) or altered taste (dysgeusia), are, instead , typical and not related to seasonal flu. Attention also to children: if we witness the occurrence of a single respiratory symptom, it is likely that we are facing seasonal ailments; if, on the other hand, more than one occurs at the same time, it is good to make further investigations “.
Furthermore, recalls Professor Cricelli, president of Simg (Italian Society of General Medicine and Primary Care) “it will be the general practitioner, if he identifies a suspected Covid-19, to intervene in the diagnostic unit for the investigations”. If the flu that awaits us will not in fact be dissimilar to the one we usually encounter this season, what changes is the attitude of Italians in the event of flu symptoms.
As revealed by the Assosalute research, in fact, if in 2019 55% of respondents declared that the first behavior, in case of fever, would be to stay at home, rest and take over-the-counter drugs, today only 37.1% confirm this. ; in fact, 34.5% of those who will immediately seek the opinion of the general practitioner increase, compared to 12.3% in 2019. As Dr. Cricelli recalls, “general practitioners are preparing for the arrival of the next flu season, informing people in all possible ways. We have, in fact, recently distributed a guide for the safe return to school, in addition to information and documents that we have produced in recent months just to get prepared. Since April all GPs are equipped with cutting-edge information systems that allow you to quickly have the clinical picture of the patient and to be able, therefore, to make a precise and contextualized diagnosis of the symptoms he presents, even at a distance; this allows a sophisticated management of all pathologies, including seasonal flu and Covid-19 “.
The reference figures in case of fever are stable compared to last year: 53% of Italians will continue to go to the general practitioner, followed by 28.4% who, instead, will rely on their experience, taking care of the usual drugs self-medication, the most widespread solution to which 60.6% of Italians will resort, if necessary; On the other hand, the number of those who will turn to the pharmacist decreases, they are 14.6% of those interviewed, compared to 23.2% in 2019. So in case of fever, what to do?
“Responsible behavior is added this year to the always valid principle of responsible self-medication – underlines Pregliasco – this year. Remain at home if symptoms occur and isolate yourself from others, do not go to the emergency room or to the doctors’ offices but call the doctor on the phone family, the emergency medical service or the regional or public utility toll-free numbers 1500. The classic advice remains valid such as: avoiding sudden changes in temperature, prefer a correct diet and try not to strain the immune system too much, maintaining, for example, a healthy intestinal flora with the help of probiotics “.
As also confirmed by Cricelli who recalls how “compared to past flu seasons, the indication this year is not to wait to see if flu symptoms pass in three days before speaking to your doctor but to contact him by phone when they arise, to monitor the situation and agree together on responsible self-medication. It is important, in fact, to avoid eliminating the symptoms of the flu and to risk hiding the true picture of the situation “.
Attention also to the use of medicines, those of self-medication, recognizable thanks to the red dot that smiles on the package: they are safe and can be used independently on the advice of a doctor and pharmacist, while “antibiotics – recalls Pregliasco – must be used only and exclusively on prescription medical “.
Finally, with regard to the flu vaccine, a topic debated every year and very central in recent weeks, demand is expected to increase by 160% compared to 2019. “6-7 million more doses will be provided than last year – Cricelli argues – precisely because the coverage we want to achieve is much higher; the vaccination campaign will then continue in November and December, with the so-called late vaccination, which it has the same effectiveness as the vaccine made at the beginning of the season “.
“Vaccination is an opportunity for everyone – concludes Pregliasco – but it is clearly more important where the age is advanced and there are pathologies that weaken the subject, as well as in case of pregnancy. This year it is important to get vaccinated to allow the doctors to carry out the so-called differential diagnosis. Finally, it is important to remember that, even if you undergo the flu vaccine, it is possible that one of the parainfluenza symptoms occurs, not for this you must immediately think that it is Covid-19, but you must take in any case, the responsible conduct mentioned above “. AGI
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