Fucruz warns of an increase in cases of respiratory diseases in 14 states

Published: 06/05/2022 05:48 / Updated on 06/05/2022 05:49

The InfoGripe, published weekly by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), warns of the potential growth in the number of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) cases in adults. According to data released yesterday, 14 states have shown an increase in diagnoses of the disease in the past six weeks. The result shone a yellow light for the researchers, as the upward trend had only been verified in children (0-11 years).

The discovery came from information entered into the Pandemic Influenza Surveillance Information System (Sivep-Gripe) throughout April – see graph. According to the researchers, lack of mask use is one of the main factors for the growth in the number of cases. The return of face-to-face lessons has fueled the spread of the virus.

“We saw a significant change in behavior, a worrying change, unfortunately. Because from February to the end of March, we had a very specific growth in hospitals due to respiratory issues in children, but associated with other respiratory viruses, which took advantage of this time to relax Using the mask, going back to the face-to-face lessons, to reach these kids,” explained Marcelo Gomez, InfoGripe Program Coordinator.

The units that recorded an increase in SARS cases were Acre, Alagoas, Amazonas, Amaba, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Barra, Parana, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima and Santa Catarina. For Gomez, the survey could serve as an indicator of the relationship of SARS cases to cases of COVID-19 or to the resumption of infection with the influenza A virus responsible for influenza.

“The fact that this is now occurring in the adult population is what is alarming, because in this age group, the growth is more likely to be associated with the Covid virus. This is because other respiratory viruses that have been infecting children hardly lead to a serious condition in the adult population ending in need to hospital treatment, and this usually happens with the coronavirus,” he explained.

worst case scenario

Infection scientist Hemerson Luz adds that the scenario could worsen as winter sets in, beginning in June. In more severe cases, when a patient with influenza syndrome (GS) develops SARS, symptoms may include shortness of breath or discomfort in breathing, a feeling of pressure in the chest, decreased oxygen saturation, and a change in the color of the lips or face to cyanosis (cyanosis).) .

Luz also points out that the mask should be used by all people showing symptoms of GS. For him, events with agglomeration in places of unstable ventilation should be avoided due to the risk of spreading SARS-causing viruses.

“Mask use should be encouraged among people suspected of having influenza-like syndrome and among people who have not received the booster or have not been vaccinated, especially those over the age of 70 or those with diseases that alter the immune system,” he said.