Brazil faces a significant increase in cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome leading some states and municipalities to decrease a state of emergency in public health. Pulmonologist Carlos Carvalho, Chief of the Incor Respiratory ICU and full professor of pneumology at the USP School of Medicine (University of São Paulo), explains the reasons behind this phenomenon and the necessary prevention measures.
According to Carvalho, the increase in respiratory viruses is related to the change of season, with the arrival of the cold . “The time of year favors, it began to cool, so it begins to reduce cases, for example, dengue and begins to increase respiratory viruses,” explains the expert.
Risk groups and main viruses
The pulmonologist points out that the most vulnerable groups are children, the elderly and people with comorbidities. In children, the respiratory sincial virus is the main cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome, manifesting itself as bronchiolitis. Already in the elderly and people with chronic diseases, influenza A and coronavirus are mainly responsible for hospitalizations.
Carvalho emphasizes the importance of vaccination as the best form of prevention. “We have vaccine, and the vaccine is the best way to prevent this disease,” he says. However, the expert regrets the recent drop in adherence to vaccination campaigns, attributing it to misinformation.
Preventive measures beyond vaccination
In addition to immunization, the pulmonologist recommends hygienic measures such as frequent hand wash and the use of masks in case of flu symptoms . “If the person has a dripping nose, is on a flu board, he must wear mask so that he does not contaminate other people,” he says.
Carvalho also advises to avoid contact with the elderly and children when they have respiratory symptoms because they are more vulnerable groups. These measures, together with vaccination, are fundamental to contain the advance of respiratory syndromes and protect public health.
This content was originally published in Understand the increase in cases of respiratory syndrome on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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