Why is the flu more common in winter? Understand

Experts explain how winter affects the increase in flu cases and what to do to avoid the disease as much as possible

It’s just the winter arrive like a shot and fall – to increase in the number of influenza caseswhich can also develop in cases of respiratory infections. Therefore, during this period many people suffer from symptoms such as malaise, headache and muscle pain, fever, shortness of breath, muscle weakness and tiredness. But why does this happen??

“At least once a year, people complain of the flu, especially in cold weather, because they gather more in poorly ventilated environments, close the windows of public transport, restaurants and even at home, which facilitates the transmission of the virus in these places,” emphasizes infectious disease specialist and coordinator of the Rede D’Or’s intensive care unit, Dr. Antônio Ganme.

In short, great care is needed, especially in winter, both to avoid the flu and to ensure that, if it does appear, it does not become more serious, for example, turning into pneumonia. According to Dr. Alexandre Okamori, pediatric allergist at the São Camilo Hospital Network, children are the most affected during the cold months, due to the development of their immune system.

“What happens is a greater circulation of viruses and bacteria, which end up affecting especially children with low immune defenses,” he says. Therefore, anyone who has children must also help them take better care of themselves at this time. People who for some reason have a low immune system can also be affected.

Tips to keep your immunity up to date in winter

If the flu becomes more common in winter due to low immunity, it is best to keep it healthy, both for you and the little ones. To do this, you need to follow some tips, such as:

• Adapt your diet and that of your children, prioritizing natural foods, such as fruits, vegetables and lean meats.
• Ensure consumption of all vitamins and nutrients necessary for the child’s development
• Encourage the practice of physical activities and, in the case of children, they must be appropriate for their age
• Don’t delay or skip vaccinations
• Go to the doctor or take your little ones with you as soon as worrying symptoms appear.

In addition, it is important to take specific actions to avoid the flu, such as staying in environments with air circulation, avoiding crowds and washing your hands. Not to mention the flu vaccine, which should be taken every year as a preventative measure.

“It is essential to get the flu vaccine once a year, even in autumn, before the season most exposed to the disease. The priority groups are the elderly (who already have an immunodeficiency) and children, especially before the age of three, whose immune system is still immature”, concludes Dr. Antônio Ganme.

Source: Health in the day

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.