Like every year, as autumn progresses and gives way to winter, there will be a increased circulation of respiratory viruses. It is a cycle that repeats itself, since the cold and greater permanence and socialization in closed environments favor its transmission.
The flu has been following this cycle, called epidemic, for a long time, along with many other pathogens such as respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus and seasonal coronaviruses. For about five years now, SARS-CoV-2, the cause of covid-19, has been added to these. Although it is not at the moment a virus as wintery as the flu, it is also part of this seasonal wave.
Masks yes, but not only
As these dates approach, perhaps due to the memory of the mandatory nature of masks during the worst months of the covid-19 pandemic, those of us who are dedicated to epidemiology are asked the question with which we titled the article: will they return? ?. This question is followed by who, when and how they should be used.
But we want to talk about more things, because wearing a mask is just one of the measures to confront the seasonal epidemic and thus protect both our health and that of the rest of the citizens.
Masks, respiratory hygiene, hand washing, ventilation and autumn vaccination should perhaps never go away. Although many of the infections mentioned are mild, they are also can be seriousespecially in elderly people or people with certain pathologies that weaken their immune system.
Furthermore, in cases of extreme epidemics, these viruses can cause saturation of healthcare services, with the possible loss of quality in care for the most seriously ill people.
Five guidelines to protect ourselves from viruses
The application of prevention measures must be a shared responsibility. For example, public health professionals recommend and disseminate the need to wash hands, citizens agree with its importance and apply it, and those in charge of an establishment must ensure that there is always soap in the bathroom.
Here we give some guidelines on what we can do to minimize the consequences of the seasonal epidemic:
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Apply usual hygiene measuressuch as the routine cleaning of surfaces – especially those with high contact such as railings, push buttons, door handles and the like – or the usual ventilation in interior spaces.
It is important wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hydroalcoholic solution, especially before and after eating, using the toilet or having contact with areas where there are mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose or mouth. A correct hand wash should last between 20 and 40 seconds.
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Observe hygiene measures respiratory “etiquette”covering our mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing (for example, with a tissue or the inside of the elbow) with the aim of reducing the spread of pathogens into the air. Tissues should be used only once and disposed of correctly, ideally in trash cans with lids and pedals, washing your hands afterwards.
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Get vaccinated. every year flu vaccination is recommended –and, now, also against covid-19– to people over 60 years of age and with some type of health problem that predisposes them to suffer a serious illness. Likewise, it is advisable for pregnant women and boys and girls, with different vaccines recommended depending on age.
The objective is to protect the health of those who receive the immunization and avoid serious consequences in the case of an infection. These vaccines are administered every fall, to achieve maximum protection of that population during the time of maximum circulation of respiratory viruses.
Health and social health personnel, along with other essential workers (security forces, firefighters, civil protection services…), are also the target of vaccination programs. It is about ensuring that the most exposed people are protected, transmit less and, at the same time, essential services to the population are maintained.
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Reduce social interactions in people with respiratory symptoms. When the characteristics of the work activity allow it, it is advisable that people with mild respiratory symptoms (which do not justify the need for sick leave) can work from home.
Likewise, people with symptoms should minimize social interactions, especially in closed environments with large numbers of people, or avoid them completely if there are vulnerable individuals.
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It is also recommended that those who present symptoms use the mask in certain situations; for example, when it is not possible to reduce interactions.
So when and who should wear a mask?
It is highly advisable that those experiencing symptoms of respiratory infection carry a surgical typesince its fundamental function is to limit the diffusion of pathogens present in the exhaled air, just as it is used by healthcare personnel in the operating room (hence its name).
It is especially convenient to use it in closed environments where you will be with many people within a short distance, such as in public transport, or when you will be close to someone for a long time, such as in the work environment. These measures must be taken to the extreme in environments where you are going to interact with vulnerable people.
It would be more than advisable to use this protection in specific areas of healthcare centers, such as emergency waiting rooms, chemotherapy treatment centers and the like. These centers should make masks available to the public and clearly recommend their use.
Surgical masks, however, protect to a lesser extent from contracting a virus, so vulnerable people, especially in the risk situations referred to, could use them. masks with filter (FFP2 or similar) to protect yourself.
Lastly, the use of masks is not part of the usual set of precautions for people without symptoms or as a generic protection measure during the seasonal epidemic of respiratory viruses.
In short, there are many things we can do to protect our health and that of the people around us during this coming fall and winter. Just as the epidemic cycle of respiratory viruses repeats itself every year, we should all cyclically remember the application of these preventive measures.
Article produced with the advice of the Spanish Society of Epidemiology.
