Winter respiratory Illnesses Expected to Surge
According to Samuel Ponce de León Rosales, a researcher at UNAM, Mexico is bracing for a strong influenza season this winter, mirroring a important surge already happening in the United states – the highest infection rates in over a decade. While influenza is currently the most prevalent respiratory illness, followed by RSV and then COVID-19, COVID-19 cases remain lower than in previous years. Experts anticipate influenza will continue to dominate, with COVID-19 remaining less common.
RSV is also circulating widely, causing symptoms like nasal congestion, eye irritation, sore throat, and a persistent cough. The flu season is expected to last through April or May, making vaccination against both influenza and COVID-19 especially important now.
These viruses – influenza, COVID-19, enteroviruses, and rhinoviruses – spread through respiratory droplets produced when coughing, sneezing, or talking, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your face. Flu symptoms often include muscle aches, fever, headache, sore throat, and cough.
To protect yourself and others, health officials recommend:
* Frequent handwashing
* Wearing masks on public transportation
* Ventilating indoor spaces
* Covering coughs and sneezes with your forearm or a tissue
* Avoiding crowded areas
vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia is recommended for those 60 and older, and is already part of the standard childhood vaccination schedule. importantly, most respiratory infections are viral and don’t require antibiotics – rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers are usually sufficient.
Related reading