From the rebound in Covid cases at the end of summer to normally assuming the return to the seasonality of winter respiratory viruses. For now, according to the latest report from the Carlos III Health Institute Only a slight increase in the intensity of flu circulation is perceived both in primary care and in hospitals. However, there are no signs of significant changes in the activity of SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in both settings.
The sentinel acute respiratory infection surveillance system (SiVIRA) states that the global rate in week 42 stands at 481.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, when three weeks ago it amounted to 650. The percentage of positivity to SARS-CoV-2, influenza and RSV is 11.7%, 2.1% and 0.4% respectively. In fact, at the beginning of October, an upward trend was observed in the rates of flu infections and other respiratory syndromes, which included bronchiolitis, for three consecutive weeks. The percentage of positivity to SARS-CoV-2, influenza and RSV was then 20.7%, 0.9% and 0.2% respectively.
These figures accompanied the start of the seasonal vaccination campaigns against flu and Covid. Although this year there are new developments: all children under 5 years of age in Spain will be able to be immunized against this disease. Minors should also be immunized as they are a vulnerable group against the flu, as is the case with older people. In fact, the income rates of children under five years of age are comparable to those of those over 65 years of age.
The importance of vaccination also lies in the usefulness of avoiding complications in the most vulnerable population. According to the National Institute of Statistics, it is estimated that in 2022 there were 42,979 deaths due to diseases of the respiratory system, making it the third cause of death in Spain.
It is worth remembering that respiratory infections “also entail a big problem and that is that different pathogens circulate in the same season, which increases the risk of coinfection and, therefore, worsens the prognosis of infected people,” explains Marina Moreno. , nurse at the Torres de la Alameda Health Center and expert in Advanced Practice in Vaccination.