Swine flu returns this year, how much is Albania threatened?

Swine flu returns this year, how much is Albania threatened?
Experts of infectious diseases say that so far, no case of flu has been reported, but the fall in temperatures in the following days is expected to bring more viruses and seasonal flu

By Sonila Isaku

Swine flu is one of the viruses circulating this year in the countries of Europe and the region. Although this year, no case of this flu has been reported in Albania, experts of the Public Health Institute and experts of infectious diseases say that the A/H1N1 virus, swine flu, is expected to be one of the viruses which will also arrive in our country. In front of this situation, experts of the Institute of Public Health have taken measures this year by distributing the vaccine against this flu earlier than expected for the most threatened categories, mainly elderly people suffering of chronic diseases, medical personnel and pregnant women.

Flu

The reduction of temperatures is also expected to be associated with an increasing number of viral cases and seasonal flu, which have started to circulate in countries around Albania. Expert of infectious diseases, Pellumb Pipero says that the country is on the verge of a flu season, although so far, no cases of flu viruses have been registered. “The number of infections of upper respiratory tract has gradually risen. This shows that seasonal flu has started to circulate in our country, although we have not yet confirmed cases of seasonal flu. The drop in temperatures will also see an increase in cases of flu season and we will see the first confirmed cases of seasonal flu”, Pipero says. According to him, one of the flu viruses which is circulating more often in the countries of the region and which is expected to be present in our country is A/H1N1, better known as swine flu. According to official data provided by the Institute of Public Health, the number of people with infections in the respiratory tract is around 11 thousand a week.

Vaccines

The country is on the verge of seasonal flu, therefore health experts recommend pregnant women, children, people suffering of chronic diseases but also other categories of people, to be vaccinated. Erida Nelaj, expert of the Institute of Public Health, refers to the recent statistics when she says that over 86 thousand people have been vaccinated all over the country. “Those who have been vaccinated are medical staff, pregnant women, people over the age of 60 and people suffering of chronic diseases. At the end of last week, the number of vaccinated people was 66 thousand. Meanwhile, this process continues. Some health centers need a fresh supply of vaccines, because current doses have finished”, experts of the Institute of Public Health say.

Advices

To prevent overpopulation in ER rooms, Pipero calls on patients not to go to hospital if they are suffering a mild flu, but see the family GP. “Not all cases affected by flu need to go to hospital. The majority of them can just stay at home until they fully recover through the help of medication for fever, through tea, juice and fruits. In case the fever continues for more than 2 or 3 days, then they should see the doctor “, the expert of infectious diseases says.

 

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