Romania is under epidemiological alert in the context in which the number of respiratory infections has exploded in recent days. Basically, the state of epidemiological alert is similar to the epidemic of previous years. Authorities have transmitted to the population a number of recommendations to prevent disease.
The last time the influenza epidemic in Romania was declared last year after over 9,000 cases of flu, January 22-28 were reported. Basically, the state of epidemiological alert is the influenza epidemic of the past years.
“This situation of epidemiological alert due to the flu is similar to declaring the epidemic four years ago, there is no difference. We have clear measures for hospitals, and hospital managers have to apply those measures regarding the use of protective equipment, including mask for both medical staff and those who come in contact with patients, (…) to provide stocks of sanitary materials , disinfectants, antiviral medication. But, otherwise, for the population, for employers, for educational units, there are recommendations. It has always been exactly the same situation. The problem was that in 2020 there was a law generated by pandemic, Law 136/2020, which, if we declared epidemic, would impose certain mandatory measures such as quarantine or isolation“, Explained Alexandru Rafila when the alert was declared last year.
Thus, the Ministry of Health recommends several measures to prevent respiratory infections. These are not mandatory measures, they have only a recommendation character.
Influenza epidemiological alert. What measures do we need to take so we don’t get sick
- Regular washing of hands with soap and water;
- Respecting the hygiene of the cough and the sneezing: covering the nose and mouth with a napkin during cough and sneezing and throwing it after use or covering the nose and mouth in the elbow during the cough;
- Daily ventilation of the rooms;
- Avoiding crowded places;
- Addressing the family doctor to the appearance of respiratory symptoms, to establish the necessary treatment and measures;
- Avoiding the entry into the community of people who have suggestive signs and symptoms for the flu (fever, sneezing, cough, sore throat, muscle pain) until their disappearance;
- The most efficient and safe method of protection against the flu and its severe clinical forms is the flu vaccination, which must be done as quickly as possible;
Grip prevention measures in schools
The authorities also transmitted a series of instructions for the prevention of illnesses among children who are in the community: nurseries, kindergartens, schools.
- Making the daily observational triage;
- Informing parents and legal members about the signs and symptoms of respiratory infections, home insulation with symptoms and contacting the family doctor;
- Ensuring the materials necessary for the periodic disinfection of the hands and surfaces;
- Periodic ventilation of the rooms;
- Respecting cough and sneezing hygiene, the use of disposable handkerchiefs
- The school courses will be resumed normally and the suspension or unfolding are not taken into account
Safety measures at work
Authorities also recommend prevention measures at work. Employees are advised to avoid agglomeration of workspaces, where possible. It is also recommended to perform a daily epidemiological triage and voluntary isolation at home with respiratory symptoms. Last but not least, the authorities recommend the staff vaccination.
In Bucharest, the highest number of cases (1,794) was registered, followed by Cluj (1,147), Brașov (575) and Prahova (510).
Many hospitals have limited their visits program
The County Emergency Clinical Hospital in Craiova and the Philanthropy Hospital made the decision to limit the program to visit patients in the context of increasing the cases of flu and respiratory viruses. In some sections, visits are temporarily suspended. And at the Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases “Victor Babes” in Craiova the visit program is limited to one hour a day,
Most cases of flu, in Bucharest
So far, this cold season, 22 people have died from the flu.
133,635 cases of respiratory infections (clinical influenza, IACRS and pneumonia) were registered in the last week in Romania, with 0.4% more cases compared to the same week of the previous season and 6.5% more cases compared to the previous week (125,452 ).
10,950 clinical influenza cases were registered at national level, compared to 9,151 cases in the same week of the previous season and with 6,994 registered in the previous week.
The cases of clinical influenza were reported by all the counties, most being in Bucharest (1,794) and in Cluj (1,147), Brașov (575), Prahova (510), Constanța (467), Iași (457), Sibiu (455) and Alba (410).
Symptoms of influenza, cold, syncytial respiratory virus, Covid-19
Symptoms of flu: Fever with increased values (> 38.5-39 ° C) lasting 3-5 days, chill, headache and neck pain, persistent cough, persistent muscle pain and joint pain, physical asthenia. Symptoms start suddenly and last 7-10 days.
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Symptoms of infection with respiratory syncytial virus (VSR) They are: cough, nasal secretions, fever, ragging breathing, fast breathing, infants (breaks in breathing). Symptoms last about two weeks.
Symptoms of common colds: clogged nose, abundant nasal secretions, sporadic cough, sore throat, subfebrility (up to 38 ° C) or moderate fever, self -limited evolution. The symptoms begin progressively and last up to 5-7 days.
Symptoms Covid-19: fever, cough, fatigue, difficulty breathing, sore throat, hoarseness, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, headaches.
