Director-General of the Hospital Complex for Infectious and Infectious Diseases Clementino Fraga, Infectologist Fernando Chagas, alerted residents on Saturday (25), via social networks, to an outbreak of influenza in the Joao Pessoa metropolitan area. According to the doctor, the capital’s emergency care units are full of patients with influenza virus.

Last Tuesday (21), a The Paraíba Health Department has already confirmed the spread of influenza A virus in the community, with a subclassification of H3.

The new strain of influenza, called H3N2 Darwin, which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SRAG), has spread across the country in the past month and has caused deaths in some states, such as Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Bahia.

H3N2 infection generates classic respiratory symptoms, causing discomfort and is considered most dangerous for the elderly, children, and people with comorbidities. The main reactions are: runny nose, cough, body aches, headache and sore throat, as well as feeling sick and feverish.

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Last Friday (24), the Municipal Health Department recommended that residents seek out family health units at the first typical symptoms of influenza.

“The doctor is the specialist who is able to diagnose and treat the disease and refer it to the municipality’s network for appropriate treatment,” said Riana Coelho, director of primary health care at Joao Pessoa.

According to the SMS, the city of Joao Pessoa, through the secretariat, ensured the diagnosis of influenza syndrome in 96 family health units, with 203 teams working to meet the demand. Open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a break from 11 a.m. to noon for lunch.

“On weekends and holidays, anyone with flu-like symptoms can search for the four residential areas of the municipal network, distributed in the neighborhoods of Valentina, Banks, Manaira (Oceania) and Cruz das Armas,” the director added.