As winter descends, a widespread influenza surge is prompting concern from health officials, who warn of potential complications extending beyond typical flu symptoms. While most experience a temporary illness, the flu can lead to serious health issues such as heart problems and stroke, particularly for at-risk groups. Spanish health experts emphasize the importance of vaccination and preventative measures as cases circulate widely and diagnostic challenges persist amidst overlapping symptoms with other respiratory viruses like COVID-19.
– CR COMUNICACIÓN – Archivo
MADRID, 8 Dic. (EDIZIONES) –
The flu is circulating widely this winter, and while many people experience only a few days of discomfort, health experts warn that it can lead to serious complications. These can include pneumonia, inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), heart attack, stroke, and metabolic imbalances in individuals with chronic health conditions.
Vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death, particularly for vulnerable populations like seniors, pregnant women, young children, people with diabetes, those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and individuals with weakened immune systems.
According to the Ministry of Sanidad, common complications of the flu include pneumonia, ear infections, sinusitis, muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), and worsening of underlying chronic diseases. Less frequent but serious complications can include encephalitis and Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition affecting children linked to salicylate use like aspirin.
Those at highest risk of complications and death include premature infants up to 24 months old, older adults, people with compromised immune systems or chronic illnesses, and pregnant individuals, the Ministry also noted.
BE AWARE OF BRONCHITIS AND PNEUMONIA
In an interview with Europa Press Salud Infosalus, several experts discussed managing the flu. Dr. Álvaro Morán Bayón, a family physician and coordinator of the Working Group on Infections, Migrants, Vaccines and Preventive Activities (IMVAP), emphasized that bronchitis and pneumonia are among the most well-known complications of the flu.
“The flu can also cause inflammation of the heart (myocarditis and pericarditis), and studies have shown that the risk of having a heart attack or stroke is significantly increased in the weeks following a flu infection,” Dr. Morán Bayón cautioned.
Dr. Fernando Moraga-Llop, spokesperson and senior member of the Spanish Association of Vaccinology, underscored this point, stating, “The flu vaccine prevents complications, promotes milder symptoms, reduces hospitalizations and ICU admissions, and has an effect on mortality. Critically, the vaccine protects against and lowers the risk of a person with the flu suffering cardiovascular accidents, heart attacks, or strokes—particularly in the year following the flu, but especially in the immediate period after infection.”
For people with diabetes, considered a “high-risk group,” the flu can trigger metabolic decompensation, leading to episodes of hyperglycemia, which further increases risk.
Dr. Moraga-Llop also reminded that vaccination doesn’t guarantee protection, as vaccine effectiveness isn’t 100%. “The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies each year, depending on how well the vaccine strain matches the circulating virus. If the virus mutates significantly after the vaccine is developed—as has happened this year—effectiveness will be reduced, though still present.”
DIFFERENTIATING THE FLU FROM COVID-19
We asked how the public can distinguish flu symptoms from those of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses currently circulating. Dr. Álvaro Morán Bayón, from SEMERGEN, explained that infections prevalent during the winter months (flu, RSV, COVID-19, etc.) produce very similar symptoms. However, he noted that this year, cough, nasal congestion, general malaise, sore throat, and fever are the most common.
“When faced with a patient exhibiting these symptoms, it’s difficult to differentiate the type of infection. However, treatment for mild cases is very similar, and our recommendations to the patient don’t change much,” he clarified.
He added that virus tests are now readily available in pharmacies and are the best way to determine the specific infection. “Knowing the virus is especially important in cases of hospitalization and more severe illness, where treatment may vary.”
The Ministry of Sanidad notes that people who contract the flu often experience symptoms such as fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, dry cough, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. “Symptoms typically last about 5 to 7 days, although a cough can persist for more than two weeks. In children, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur, but are less common in adults. In older adults, the initial symptom may be a worsening of underlying conditions, and fever may not always be present.”
PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM INFECTION
The flu’s incubation period is generally around two days (1-4 days), and it spreads from person to person through direct contact and respiratory droplets produced by an infected individual.
Beyond vaccination, Dr. Morán Bayón of SEMERGEN emphasized the importance of frequent handwashing, wearing masks if symptoms develop, or when in contact with symptomatic individuals, or in crowded indoor spaces, and vaccination as preventative measures.
He also stressed that vaccination is “the most important preventative measure we have” against some infectious diseases. He explained that getting vaccinated trains our immune system, so when it encounters the targeted infection, it mounts a stronger response and we are better prepared to avoid severe illness.
High vaccination rates also help prevent transmission by reducing the number of infections among people. “In recent years, it’s been shown that many vaccines also prevent heart attacks, strokes, and dementia; for example, the HPV vaccine prevents cancer,” he added.
Finally, Dr. María Tomás, a spokesperson for SEIMC, recommends adequate ventilation in schools, public transportation, workplaces, and care facilities, in addition to vaccination. She also advises mask use in hospitals, care facilities, and around vulnerable individuals, especially when virus circulation is high. Staying home when symptomatic to break the chain of transmission, practicing good hand hygiene, and using rapid diagnostic tests to administer antivirals early in cases where they are needed to prevent complications are also important steps.
