Disorders that prevent you from getting out of bed, body aches, persistent high fever, runny nose, watery eyes, and shortness of breath are signs that you may need to seek medical help soon. These are the main symptoms of the flu, which has regained strength in São Paulo in recent days.
The influenza A H3N2 virus, the same one associated with the recent flu epidemic in Rio de Janeiro, is circulating in the city of São Paulo and is already causing an increase in emergency room visits and admissions to public and private hospitals.
It is common for flu symptoms to be confused with those of an infection caused by the new coronavirus. In São Paulo, for example, the city decided to apply Covid tests to all patients who seek the public health network with flu-like symptoms.
The certainty can only be given by the test, but, according to the symptoms and the way they present themselves over time, say doctors heard by the report, it is possible to have clues as to which virus infected the patient.
“The symptoms of flu are quite exuberant”, says infectious disease specialist Jamal Suleiman, from Instituto Emílio Ribas. “It’s obvious when a person has the flu,” says the doctor.
In the case of flu, the infected person is usually very ill at the beginning of the disease, within 48 hours, with a high fever, says Suleiman. When it comes to Covid, this situation is less common at first.
The indisposition of a person with the flu is great right from the start, reinforces the physician Lorena de Castro Diniz, coordinator of the Scientific Department of Immunization at Asbai (Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology). “She can’t get out of bed to go to work, for example, she has no appetite.”
The flu usually lasts from seven to ten days.
In the case of Covid-19, explains Diniz, the person usually has muscle pain that sometimes lasts for hours and disappears. Over the days, more symptoms may appear: from the fifth to the eighth day, the patient may lose taste and smell.
On the tenth day, if the patient is going to have a bad evolution of Covid, he starts to feel more shortness of breath, says Diniz.
Another common confusion is with the cold, a condition caused by another virus. In this case, however, the symptoms are mild, such as a mild nasal obstruction, for example, says Suleiman.
Keep an eye out for flu symptoms
- Indisposition
- Discomfort
- Body ache
- High and persistent fever
- Tearsjamento
- Lack of air
The main symptoms of flu usually appear within 24 or 48 hours. It is during this period that the flu person should seek medical help.
Diniz explains that treatment may include antivirals such as oseltamivir (known by the trade name Tamiflu).
In addition to treatment with antivirals, supportive measures are needed, such as the use of antipyretics, hydration, rest and oxygen, if applicable.
For pediatrician Renato Kfouri, director of SBIm (Brazilian Society of Immunizations), given the possible confusion with Covid, the important thing is testing for influenza.
“Especially in risk groups, we can institute early treatment and prevent complications from severe forms of the disease”, he says.
Attention must be redoubled with the most vulnerable groups: children under the age of five, the elderly, pregnant women, postpartum women, people with immunological deficiencies or with autoimmune diseases, and even those with chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma and bronchitis.
“In the case of children under the age of five, whose immune system is still being formed, and the airways are small, the secretion produced by influenza can cause an obstruction in the breathing passage, leading to respiratory failure”, explains Diniz .
Treatment
- Seek medical attention as soon as the first symptoms appear
- Antiviral
- Antipyretic in case of fever
- Pain medication
- hydration
- rest
- Oxygen for people with respiratory illnesses
- Pay attention to comorbidities that the patient already has
According to Diniz, the influenza virus is as serious as the coronavirus. “Some patients with comorbidities, heart disease, hypertension or diabetes can decompensate the primary disease”, says the doctor, citing conditions that can even lead to hospitalizations.
According to the immunologist, high rates of infarction are seen in people infected with influenza who have some heart disease. There is also a risk of stroke (cerebrovascular accident).
Seasonal influenza was already expected, according to doctors interviewed by leaf.
The infectious diseases specialist Suleiman recalls that people spent the last two winters relatively protected, wearing masks and without crowding. With the flexibility, he says, viruses such as influenza are circulating more.
“Now with the resumption, with schools functioning and with the cooling of the circulation of the new coronavirus, a window has appeared, an opportunity for other viruses to emerge”, completes Kfouri.
According to specialists, the best thing to be done at this time to avoid the flu is to continue with the same precautions against Covid, that is, using masks, avoiding agglomerations, washing hands and using alcohol gel.
.
Chad-98Weaver, a distinguished author at NewsBulletin247, excels in the craft of article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a penchant for storytelling, Chad delivers informative and engaging content that resonates with readers across various subjects. His contributions are a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field of journalism.
