Flu, RSV, Streptococcus Aand covid are spreading at an alarming rate in the United States, overwhelming hospitals and even causing a shortage of medicines for children. “I’ve been doing this for over 20 years now and this fall-winter is like no other. It’s bananas,” says Dr. Shelly Vaziri Flais, assistant professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and door -word of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “We were always afraid these viruses would come back, but as they came they came back too fast and too furious,” says Dr. Diego Hijano, an infectious disease specialist specializing in pediatric infections at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Besides tracking vaccinations, what are the most effective ways to support immune health? We spoke to Dr. Anant Vinjamoori, MD, Chief Medical Officer to the Modern Age longevity society. We need to recognize that the health of our immune system is inextricably linked to how we age. Vinjamoori says Eat this, not that! Health. “There are two main reasons for this. The function of our immune system weakens with age: as we age, our bone marrow loses its ability to produce T and B cells, which are the key components of the immune system that orchestrate responses.Not only does our immune system weaken as we age, it also becomes more dysfunctional.Specifically, the immune system will begin to activate when it shouldn’t, damaging healthy tissue. This process is known as inflammation, and the chronic, slow-burning inflammation that results from the aging process is known as “Inflammatory.’ There are several ways to get more of these vitamins. While supplements are great if you remember to take them, I find IV drip therapy and vitamin D3 injections to be a more effective way to ensure the body absorbs essential nutrients faster. which stimulate the immune system. Some experts also advise a return to wearing a mask in group situations. Everyone should know that masking really protects individuals against all three viruses. Dr. Hijano says. People are really reluctant to come back [to mask mandates]. Even though the numbers indicate that it would be beneficial for us as a community to all wear masks… I think it’s going to be very difficult, even though it’s recommended, for people to follow.” With so many viruses circulating, it can be difficult to tell them apart, as many symptoms overlap – here are the strep throat, flu, RSV, cold and COVID symptoms to be aware of. , Do not miss them Sure signs you’ve already had COVID.
1
Streptococcus A
“A very painful sore throat, along with tender lymph nodes in the neck suggest strep throat,” Dr. Vinjamoori tells us. “The presence of a cough makes strep throat very unlikely.” Do not hesitate to have your child checked by a doctor if strep throat is suspected – other symptoms include fever, rash, pain, swelling, nausea and vomiting. Some experts say two years of lockdown have exacerbated the situation. We have interrupted the transmission of our virus. says Dr. Kathryn Moffet, a pediatric infectious disease expert at West Virginia University Medicine. We didn’t have the normal [circulation] where you would expect RSV and pneumonia [in young children]. Much of what we’ve done with social distancing and masks [caused this.” Some children are presenting bizarre symptoms such as lumps behind their ears, eye issues, and drooling. “It could be we have altered patterns of immunity due to the pandemic that may have increased our vulnerability,” says Texas Children’s Hospital pathologist-in-chief James Versalovic. “But it could also be … different variants [of strep]. It could be a combination of factors. Nobody knows.”
2
RSV
“The cough tends to be more prominent and pronounced with RSV,” Dr. Vinjamoori tells us. “RSV is very often contracted in households with young children, so if you have young children this one might be more likely.” “All the hospitals are full to bursting at the moment,” says Jacksonville Director of Clinical Research, Dr. Michel Korn. “There are waiting times to get into the hospital emergency room. And the hospital administrators have sent information to all the doctors to try to get people out of the hospital as soon as possible. quickly as possible. RSV does not have a vaccine, but we are working.” with this in clinical trials. And it’s an interesting virus because we didn’t think it was a real big deal because most people got it when they were young and we thought they were protected during our lifetime, but there are different strains of this virus, and as you get older you become vulnerable again.”
3
Flu
“Fever and muscle aches tend to be the strongest flu symptoms,” Dr. Vinjamoori tells us. UK health authorities are advising people not to mix in large groups if they feel sick. “Covid-19 and the flu can both cause serious illness or even death to the most vulnerable people in our communities, so it’s also important to avoid contact with other people if you don’t feel well in order to prevent infections from spreading over Christmas and New Years.” period,” Dr. Mary Ramsaydirector of public health programs at UKHSA, said. When can we expect flu season to be over? “The optimistic view is that we’ve had an early and severe season, and hopefully what will happen over the next two weeks is that all the numbers will start to come down.” says Dr. Hélène Chu, an infectious disease physician and epidemiologist at the University of Washington. “But the pessimistic view is that this is just the beginning, and then we will see a few waves later.”
4
Common cold
Let’s not forget the common cold, in the midst of all these dangerous viruses circulating. “Nasal congestion as the dominant symptom suggests a routine cold,” Dr. Vinjamoori said. Do you feel like everyone you know is suddenly sick? You can’t imagine it. “Our immune system is still working very well. As we normalize our behaviors again, it takes a while for the patterns to return to normal. All the viruses have started to come back strong and in a disrupted way,” he says . Tufts Medical Center Dr. Shira Doron. “It’s a consequence of our disrupted human interactions and our travels that turned everything upside down. We’re all so susceptible to colds because we haven’t had one in so long. No one needs to catch a cold to have a normal immune system. You are welcome to try and avoid colds and flu for the rest of your life and it won’t hurt you to do so,” she said. “But at the population level, epidemiologically, it’s been disruptive.”
5
COVID-19[feminine]
COVID is on the rise in China, raising serious concerns about new variants and mutations spreading across the globe. “However we look at it, it is very likely that the next few months will be quite difficult for China,” he added. said Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, a global health research institute at the University of Washington. “The most at-risk populations in the world are those who have avoided a lot of transmission and have gaps in vaccination. And that’s exactly the case for China.” In the United States, a “senior wave” leads to an increase in hospitalizations. “Right now, we have an immune wall built against the Omicron family – between injections and previous infections and their combinations – which seems to keep young people in quite a good position. But the immune system of older people is not not as loud,” says Dr. Eric Topol, physician and professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research. Topol believes “woefully inadequate” recall rates are contributing to the surge. “Everything points to a decrease in immunity. If more older people had their booster, the effect would be minimal.”
6
How to stay safe there
Follow the basics of public health and help end this pandemic, wherever you live – get vaccinated or boosted ASAP; If you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 maskdo not travel, socially distance, avoid large crowds, do not go indoors with people you do not shelter with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene and to protect your life and that of others, do not visit one of these 35 places where you are most likely to catch COVID.
0 Comments