“Preventing Flu and Respiratory Diseases: Importance of Vaccination and Prevention Measures”

With the arrival of cold temperatures, hospitals and health centers registered an increase in respiratory diseases and flu cases. From the national Ministry of Health, they called for intensifying care and prevention measures and reiterated the need to complete the flu vaccination schemes.

in communication with Radio Universitythe infectious disease doctor Hugo Pizzi reported that the flu virus “circulates in a very solid way”. It must be said that people are forgetting about vaccines, the use of a mask and hand washing to combat these diseases ”.

It should be remembered that flu vaccines are available, free of charge, for children from six months to two years and over 70, pregnant women, diabetic patients and those with comorbidities. “The dose has the seasonal viruses and H1N1. We have the weapons and the tools but, also, there is always the indifference of some and the indolence of others who do not help us. Meanwhile, there are people who die from the flu, when we can avoid it, ”he said.

In the case of the youngest, Pizzi recommended that teachers be alert and detect the symptoms that students may present. “Bronchitis, bronchiolitis and flu symptoms are serious illnesses, and if they notice that the children or a colleague of theirs coughs a lot, they should send them home, because a single person can contaminate an entire group with saliva particles,” he warned. .

Finally, in addition to recommending good ventilation of the environments, hand washing and the use of chinstraps in closed places, Pizzi indicated that a first symptom that represents an alarm sign is fever: “In these cases, you have to communicate with a health professional who guides the patient and, later, talk with the family doctor or the pediatrician”.