H3N2 flu is present in at least 11 states and lights up on alert in the country

In recent weeks, with cases and deaths from Covid-19 declining, a Another disease outbreak To be noticed. Patients with influenza A, more specifically the H3N2 strain, They called health services to deal with the symptoms of influenza.

The virus that has already caused an epidemic in Rio de Janeiro, in at least 10 other states, including the Federal District, According to the survey capital Cities Held with ministers of state. With symptoms similar to Covid – coughing, nasal congestion, fever and muscle aches – it is easy to confuse the two diseases and a PCR test is needed to confirm which virus is responsible for the infection.

Federal District, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Espiritu Santo, BahiaParaná, Rio Grande do Sul, Amazonas, Rio Grande do Norte, Maranhão and Ceará have already recorded cases of influenza. Goias has not yet had confirmation, but she is monitoring nine suspected cases of H3N2. Some federal units are warning that deleting SUS data makes it difficult to notify patients of the virus, and the numbers may be higher than those disclosed so far.

Since 9/12, federal information systems have been unavailable, including SIVEP Influenza, where cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SRAG) and Covid-19 have been reported, hampering updating state statistics. Thus, the monitoring of statistics is affected, which makes it difficult to identify coping strategies in a timely manner”, according to what was reported, in a note, of the São Paulo Health Department.

The Amazonas Department of Health reported that, from the beginning of November through Friday (17/12), the state recorded 494 positive cases of influenza, 262 of which were in the past week alone. However, this is the seasonal period of the disease in the north where the federal unit is located.

In Rio, about 21,000 people were diagnosed with the flu in the last three weeks of November. Earlier this week, Sao Paulo’s municipal health minister, Edson Aparecido, told CNN that the capital of São Paulo is also experiencing an outbreak.

Increased viral circulation

The influenza virus is not new and re-emerges every year. The difference is that it usually occurs in the winter months, starting in May, and not at the height of summer. Because of this difference, many states are already requesting more attention from health facilities for suspected cases and strengthening the testing protocol.

According to virologist Bergman Ribeiro, of the University of Brasilia (UnB), this increase is due to a return to activities and a relaxation of protection measures at a time when cases and deaths from Covid-19 are declining.

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PeopleImages, Getty Images

*** Flu cough

After flu cases spread in Rio de Janeiro and Bahia, the states of São Paulo, Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais are also on alert against familial influenza viruses.Seksan Mongkhonkhamsao / GettyImages

*** Influenza Vaccine-2

Influenza viruses tend to circulate in the winter, but the pathogens have found room now that people have returned to their normal lives.Raffaella Feliciano / Metropolis

*** Viral Influenza

Influenza consists of three types of viruses: A, B, and C. The most worrisome are influenza viruses A and B. In influenza A viruses, subtypes A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 stand out. The current outbreaks appear to be related to H3N2CDC Image Library/Science/GETTY IMAGES

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The seasonal virus has been circulating in humans since 1968, when there was an epidemic in Hong Kong. However, since 2005 it began to spread worldwideGuido Meez/Getty Images

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***cough

The H3N2 variant is primarily targeted at the elderly and children. In these groups, symptoms can be more severe.Getty Images

*** Influenza and Dengue fever

Transmission of the H3N2 virus occurs through droplets suspended in the air when a person with the flu coughs, talks, or sneezes. Infection can also occur through direct contact with infected peopleBamboo Production, Getty Images

*** Influenza

The flu is less deadly than Covid, but the symptoms can be worse. They include high fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, nausea, malaise, lack of appetite, and feeling weak.istock

***pain

Influenza viruses are treated with symptomatic medications such as influenza, analgesics, antipyretics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Rest, fluid intake, and light nutrition are also recommended.istock

*** Flu Vaccine

The immunizing agent protects against the H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B viruses.Hugo Barreto / Metropolis

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The recommendation is that people avoid staying indoors for long periods of time with crowding. Also, avoid putting your hands over your eyes and mouth before washing them.Ricardo Wolfenbüttel / SC Government

***pandemic

A new type of H3N2, called Darwin, caught the attention of experts after cases spread in the northern hemisphere. However, there is no data to prove the efficacy of the vaccine against this variant Fernando Frazao / Brazil Agency

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Another possible reason is Non-compliance with the national influenza vaccination campaignWhat happened during the vaccination against the Corona virus. In Ceará, for example, the coverage rate for 2021 was the lowest in the last 23 years. The fortifying agent also does not maintain the same efficacy after six months of application and the main risk groups (the elderly, children and pregnant women) received the formula in April 2021.

Finally, the emergence of Darwin’s H3N2 strain, a type of influenza that might escape the protection of the current vaccine, would contribute to an increase in cases. the Butantan reports that based on the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO), the new formulation of the influenza immunizing agent will include the strain, and production will begin in January..

Despite having similar symptoms to infection caused by the coronavirus, influenza has a lower mortality rate, between 0.1% and 0.2%, while Covid has a mortality rate of between 1% and 2%. The main difference is the severity of the early signs of influenza, which are stronger than those shown by people with Covid who have already received vaccinations.

protection

Like Covid-19, the flu virus is transmitted through the air, use a good quality mask, social distance and hand hygiene Enough to avoid contamination. The influenza vaccine also protects, for the first six months after application, against H1N1 and H3N2, as well as influenza B.

Seek medical attention when symptoms include shortness of breath, pressure or pain in the chest, and blue lips or face.