With omicron and flu, doctors suggest end-of-year party with a few relatives – 12/17/2021 – balance and health

Near the end of the year festivities, omicron variants of Covid-19 and . are emerging Darwin from the flu H3N2Doctors worry. According to experts, if the population does not prevent itself, then the beginning of 2022 may be characterized by the scenario of an exacerbation of the health crisis, with the worsening of the coronavirus pandemic. Added to the flu epidemic.

It’s possible to meet at the end of the year, but with caution, says Gerson Salvador, an infectious disease specialist at University of the South Pacific Hospital. He suggests, for example, that events take place outdoors, such as in backyards, and that people move away from each other. Use of the mask during the event should be maintained and removed only at mealtime.

Hand hygiene should also be consistent. “Alcohol is relatively effective for Covid-19, but very effective for influenza virus‘ says the doctor.

People are advised not to underestimate Influenza, which kills 300,000 to 600,000 people a year It can be dangerous in the most vulnerable populations, such as children under the age of two, women after childbirth, people with respiratory problems and the elderly.

Infectious disease scientist and professor at Unicamp (State University of Campinas), Raquel Stocchi believes that Christmas 2021 will be carried out very carefully. In the case of the elderly and people with weakened immunity, it is recommended that masks with better filtration, such as N95, be used, and that everyone receives a complete and up-to-date vaccination. And whoever wants to cuddle, he must do it without kissing and still wear a mask.

Stucchi says that in older adults over 80, it’s essential to watch for signs of behavior change, such as agitation, inhibition, shortness of breath and fatigue. According to her, these may be signs of influenza that indicate the need for a face-to-face consultation with a doctor.

“The Covid-19 numbers are really the best since the start of the pandemic, but we have
Making sure that Omicron will be the variant that will dominate the infection, but we still do not know its ability to cause more serious diseases,” says the doctor.

Jamal Suleiman, an infectious disease specialist at Emilio Ribas Hospital, warns that meetings should be limited to small groups of people and that the use of masks should be consistent. “If we don’t do this, there will be a lot of sick people and it will endanger the health system,” the doctor warns.

He states that anyone with flu symptoms should not attend New Year’s Eve parties. “Anyone with symptoms should be alone and do what we did during the Covid pandemic: video call and chat.”

Another warning the doctor gave was about special New Year’s parties. “These events need to be reconsidered. The parties cannot, for the time being, be at risk of spreading this virus,” he added.

The current influenza vaccine does not protect against the H3N2 variant and the prediction is that the immunizing agent considering this new The strain arrives only in March 2022. In addition to vaccination coverage Among the priority groups This year in the state of Sao Paulo it was low, at only 55.5%.

Solomon says this is a concern and cautions that the flu vaccine is still important to prevent disease and the emergence of new variants. He also analyzes that the spread of influenza is as fast as the omicron variable. “If you congregate, the danger is there,” he says. “What would you choose? SARS-CoV-2 or the flu? I’d prefer nothing.”