- Children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, HIV and chronic diseases are the main risk groups.
- Comprehensive care that includes multiple layers of protection is the best method to stay contagion-free this holiday season.
- In the case of influenza, the predominant variants are AH3N2 and A “Not Subtypable”.
Given the imminent arrival of not only the winter holidays but also the December festivities, it is necessary to reinforce preventive and protection measures. These are dates to celebrate with family and friends, but a party can end in tragedy if there is a breach of trust. Furthermore, it cannot be ignored Currently, there is a dangerous tripledemia.
The relaxation in measures such as use of face masks and return to daily activities, among others, put the population at risk. It is not only about the Covid-19 pandemic, but there are other diseases that have shown an exponential increase in recent weeks.
What is a tripledemia?
It is a term created to designate three health problems that are active in much of the world. They all generate similar symptoms to each other although they are caused by different pathogens. In this case, diseases are the Covid-19, influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
According to the Ministry of Health (SSa), during 2022 there have been more than 7 thousand cases of influenza in Mexico. Although it has been during the last days of November and December when the rebound has been quite noticeable, especially when compared to the same period of the previous year.
The entities that have the largest number of registered cases are Querétaro, Nuevo León, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas and CDMXwhere from one week to the next the reported cases almost tripled.
“Although the use of face masks remains optional in many entities of the country and outside our borders, it is advisable to carry out a comprehensive protocol that protects us from the inside. Outside, the ideal is to enable different layers of protection” explained Dr. Mario Martínez, Éviter’s Medical Director.
For her part, the sixth wave of Covid-19 is already a reality. In the last five weeks, the rebound in cases has occurred to a greater extent in people between the ages of 18 and 49 and it is estimated that in the near future there will be a rise in hospitalizations derived from complications of this infection.
5 recommendations to protect yourself from tripledemia
Act as if everyone you come in contact with is asymptomatic
We know that many people are asymptomatic or, even presenting manifestations, the relaxation of care and prevention measures means that they do not follow the isolation recommendations. Therefore, the premise is “treat everyone as if they were suffering from a respiratory virus infection.”
“Keeping this in mind will make us put them aside again at this time that lends itself to physical contacts and reapply healthy distance measures, especially in spaces where ventilation is poor, explains the specialist.
Pay attention first to your personal health
According to the expert, in addition to the risk groups, it is very important to identify if we have any symptoms of respiratory disease. If so, the ideal is to isolate yourself, not attend any type of meeting, take the tests and continuously use the face mask.
“In the presence of symptoms of respiratory disease, the ideal is to maintain a balanced diet and sufficient hydration. In addition to considering supplementation with Vitamin C and Zinc that will promote faster recovery by strengthening the defense system.
Resume the use of mouth covers continuously and disinfect surfaces
Respiratory influenza viruses, SARS COV-2, and RSV are transmitted through droplets produced when people cough, sneeze, or talk. For this reason, it is important not only to keep the nose and mouth protected, which are the main routes of entry of these viruses, but also to frequently sanitize our hands.
“The correct use of suitable face masks, ideally with more than one layer, as well as a healthy distance, continue to be vital measures to avoid infections, as well as the sanitization of hands and surfaces with virucidal substances, not only antibacterial, since if we touch contaminated objects, the viruses stay on our hands and can infect us if we touch our mouth, nose or eyes.
Prioritize meetings outdoors or in sufficiently ventilated spaces
Many studies indicate that respiratory viruses can live in the air from minutes to hours and can travel several meters, which is why social distancing and ventilation are priority measures to avoid any risk situation.
“Ideally, the meetings should be small, in open or well-ventilated spaces, because while we eat we expose the main access routes to the viruses. To reduce risks, it is ideal to maintain a distance of at least two meters and promote air circulation, even with the use of fans.”
Protect yourself with the right materials and substances
Based on the expert’s recommendations, the choices we make of face masks (with more than one layer) or disinfectants (that have virucidal potential, not just bactericidal), make a big difference in the level of protection we have against tripledemia.
Also read:
Variant Xibalbá or BW.1 will predominate during the sixth wave of Covid-19: These are its characteristics
Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Tips to prevent infections
Influenza in Mexico: Reaches its highest point in the last 5 seasons
