A good, mixed bag of respiratory infections before Christmas – that’s how you should think

The coronavirus pandemic has affected many of our recent Christmases. Now the pandemic is officially over, but COVID-19 is still spreading in the community. In addition to many other respiratory infections.

There are now a lot of sick people in Kalmar County.

-We have a little bit of everything. It’s good and mixed. Infectious disease physician Lisa Labbe-Sandlin says some diseases are on the rise and others are stable.

Covid has been at high levels for a long time.

-We have a stable and high number of positive cases. Meanwhile, sampling is very limited, but has been at high levels in the past month. It fluctuates a little from day to day, but there is significant pressure on the health care system that is not abating. If we look at the latest from sanitation, the peak there was on November 6, but we have high activity in test results and many more needing hospital care. There is one patient with COVID-19 in the ICU.

The flu has taken off

However, compared to the time when the pandemic hit hard, the situation is not at all close in terms of hospital and ICU care. But the darkness among the general public is great considering the number of people trying to do this.

In recent weeks, the flu has also gained momentum in the province.

-We are receiving more and more cases, but Covid is still more common. But there is an ongoing spread of influenza among both the elderly and children, and its spread usually accelerates around the Christmas holidays, so seasonal infections are a little early now.

At the national level, the RS virus has also gained momentum.

– But we see here only occasional cases. There are few cases, but they are present in the governorate. We haven’t seen any more cases of whooping cough in several weeks.

That’s how you should think

The Public Health Authority also announced that winter vomiting disease has begun to spread.

– But here it hasn’t really started yet, but there’s a lot going on at the same time. Now we’re talking more about respiratory infections and seasonal infections collectively again. Winter sickness is not a respiratory virus, but for others, the virus spreads well when many people are crowded indoors. Now it’s about protecting others regardless of whether he has coronavirus, RS or any of the others.

The birthday celebration is approaching soon, and you might want both grandma and the newborn to be able to join in. So how do we think?

– That’s the general advice. In addition to getting vaccinated if you receive this advice, you should stay home if you have symptoms or if you are sick. For many, celebrating a birthday is a very important thing and so you can talk about it in advance if someone at the party is feeling extra anxious. You may be able to do a symptom check beforehand, says Lisa Labbe-Sandlin:

– Otherwise, it is as it was. Washing your hands is good against many, and coughing and sneezing into the crook of your arm is also good. You should also think about who you meet. On the first day, when it is most contagious, you should not kiss the children or meet Grandma. Even if the pandemic ends, we still have a high level of infection from coronavirus, influenza and winter sickness gaining momentum, as well as the RS virus. There’s a lot to think about before Christmas.

In addition, several cases of psittacosis have been discovered in the province. here You can read more about it.