Opinion – Julio Abramczyk: Care is still necessary with Covid-19

The increase in Covid-19 carriers has been observed in the population of the states of São Paulo, Rio, Amazonas and Rio Grande do Sul.

The examinations of the patients indicate the mutations of the virus and mainly the subvariant of the omicron, the BQ.1.

For the Health Department of São Paulo, the third and fourth applications of the vaccine against the virus remain necessary.

They are indicated for the portion of the population aged 12 and over who need to receive the third application and adults who can already receive the fourth application of the vaccine.

However, this is not the only preventive measure indicated for Covid-19. It is also recommended to wear the face mask again in crowded places and maintain social distance. Frequent hand washing is also important to keep disease transmission at bay.

Of recent research, a study by pediatric infectious disease specialist Chee Fu Yung and collaborators from several medical centers in Singapore, published in the medical journal Jama Pediatrics, stands out.

Research suggests that the risk of reinfection in younger children (under age 5) is lower than in adults.

In these children, the formation of levels of neutralizing antibodies is rapid in the acute phase of the infection and the degradation is lower over time, compared to adults at an advanced age.

With these results, the researchers concluded that it is suggestive that the risk of reinfection and severity by Sars-Cov-2 in children under 5 years of age is lower than in adults.