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Cold will not increase cases of influenza A in the Country
by PATRICIA JESUSOntem
The cold helps the cold infections, but as the temperature begins to rise tomorrow, the authorities believe that the flu will not return in force. Today Portugal is the coldest day of the year and is expected to snow above 400 meters
Although Portugal live today the coldest day of the year, low temperatures do not make the H1N1 virus more aggressive, and will not make the flu come back in force, ensure the health authorities.
Experts point out that the first wave of the disease is already happening and say that three days of very cold are not sufficient to significantly increase the number of new cases and reverse the trend.
The cold, in general, favors increasing the number of viral infections, acknowledges the Deputy Director-General of Health, Jos? Robalo - but as temperatures begin to rise tomorrow the downward trend of influenza A should not change, he concludes. Today is the coldest day of the year, according to the Institute of Meteorology: ten district capitals will agree with negative temperatures. Braganza, with -6 ?, will be cooler, but in Braga, Leiria, Leiria, Guarda, Viseu, Aveiro, Beja, Vila Real and Viseu thermometers will also fall below zero. At night, snow is expected above 400 meters, starting from the south of the country: including the Serra do Monchique, Portalegre or even in the Serra de Sintra. But with the rain comes the rise of temperature.
Virologist James Nina explains that the very cold air does not change the aggressiveness of the H1N1 virus but is harmful to the mucous membranes that protect our airways - the path to the lungs, where the temperature is 37 ?. Therefore, the cold air facilitates the entry of viruses and bacteria in the body. However, to verify a very significant increase in the number of cases would require more days of very cold weather. Jos? Robalo says not yet registered care services related to the cold, but adds that it inspires more concern in these situations are poisoning with carbon monoxide due to use of fireplaces and fire pits. Therefore, we advise extreme care (see box).
Although the number of new cases of influenza A to be down two weeks ago, the number of fatalities continues to grow. The DGS yesterday revealed seven more deaths, making the total to 44. Among patients who died in recent days is a 11 year old girl and a man of 31 with no risk factors. Tags: Portugal, Benfica