Egyptian health authorities reveal the secret behind the significant increase in respiratory infections in the country.
The Egyptian Ministry of Health has revealed the reasons behind the noticeable increase in the number of patients suffering from severe respiratory symptoms in all governorates during recent weeks, amid fears of a resurgence of the coronavirus.
Prevention of coronavirus in hospital quarantine
The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, confirmed that seasonal influenza is the main cause and not the coronavirus, as many people mistakenly believe.
Abdel Ghaffar explained in statements to a local Egyptian channel that out of every 100 cases that come to clinics and hospitals complaining of respiratory symptoms (cough - high temperature - sore throat - shortness of breath), there are 66 laboratory-confirmed cases of seasonal influenza.
He pointed out that the total number of respiratory infections has not increased abnormally compared to previous years, but the type of virus spreading this year (mainly H1N1 and H3N2 strains) is more virulent and has a higher rate of spread compared to previous seasons, which explains the severity of the symptoms that many citizens are complaining about.
Abdel Ghaffar strongly warned against taking antibiotics without a prescription, stressing that influenza is a virus and not bacteria, and therefore antibiotics do not treat it but may cause serious bacterial symptoms.
The spokesperson for the Egyptian Ministry of Health called on citizens to immediately adhere to the preventive measures that were followed during the coronavirus crisis, which include: washing hands constantly, wearing a mask in crowded places, especially if you are sick, good ventilation of homes and offices, and avoiding closed gatherings as much as possible.
He stressed the importance of receiving the seasonal flu vaccine immediately, especially for the elderly, those with chronic illnesses and coughs, children under 5 years old, and pregnant women.
He pointed out that the ministry has intensified awareness campaigns within schools, universities, the metro and shopping malls, and continues to implement presidential initiatives for the early detection of chronic diseases, as more than 20 million and 168 thousand citizens have been examined since September 2021 until now, within the initiative to examine and treat chronic diseases and kidney disease.
Abdel Ghaffar concluded his message by saying: "The flu is no joke; it can lead to severe pneumonia and serious complications, but vaccination and adherence to preventive measures greatly reduce the risks."
