Not’s not just the wave of strikes to endure at the start of the year. In fact, even from a health point of view, Italy is not doing very well. The flu waveforeseen and announced, it has already affected 5 million Italiansbut cases are destined to grow in the coming days, given the reopening of schools and the arrival of a wave of cold.
Influenza peaks in January
The infection, nicknamed “Australian”, is this time caused by the A-H3N2 virusvirus which, as underlined inDIRE agencyby the President of SIMG Alessandro Rossi, the Italian Society of General Practitioners and Primary Care Doctors, raises some concern for its ability to evade immune defenses and for the greater aggressiveness of the symptoms.
It’s not always the flu
To further complicate the situation, the influenza epidemic overlaps with the persistent presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other respiratory virusesmaking the differential diagnosis complex. In some cases, in fact, it may be necessary to resort to rapid naso-oropharyngeal antigen swabs for a more targeted diagnosis and treatment. It must be said, however, that despite the complexity of the clinical picture, Current data show a lower incidence of influenza-like syndromes (ILI) than last year.
And, this difference, as explained by Claudio Cricelli, President Emeritus SIMG, allows us to act by informing the population on the correct use of drugs to combat the symptoms and on the main prevention measures.
Doctors’ advice for dealing with the wave of flu that is hitting Italy (Getty Images)
Vaccination is essential
Among the most effective preventive measures, Stefano Celotto, member of the SIMG national board, remember the flu vaccination, still available at GP and pediatrician clinics. Furthermore, in the presence of flu symptoms, it is essential to maintain social distancing, use masks, follow hygiene rules and adopt a balanced diet and good hydration.
How to recognize the symptoms
The symptoms of flu, which can persist for up to 18 days, are typical and include cold, headache, joint pain, cough, sore throat and fever. Luca Maschietto, Secretary SIMG Friuli-Venezia Giulia, stresses that high fever is not necessarily an indicator of severitybut a response of the body to the infection. However, the persistence of high temperatures for several days or failure to respond to common antipyretics necessarily requires medical evaluation.
How to counter them and feel better
To combat the symptoms, Ignazio Grattagliano, Vice President of SIMG, recommends taking paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (with caution and based on the patient’s risk profile), antitussives and nasal decongestants. The use of cortisone is generally not recommended, while Antibiotics should only be taken on prescription in case of bacterial complications. Particular attention should be paid to frail patients and the elderly, for whom it is advisable to test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus via swab, in order to intervene promptly with antiviral drugs in case of positivity.
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