Hong Kong flu is spreading in Georgia this year

2022/11/60565-1669013605.jpg
Read: 1332     14:00     21 Ноябрь 2022    

Influenza cases are on the rise in Georgia, with most cases this year being the so-called "Hong Kong flu", said Ivane Chkhaidze, medical director of the Iashvili Children's Central Hospital.

According to him, the H3N2 virus is circulating in the country, there are also cases of H1N1 spread.

"The spread of influenza started very early this year in Georgia", Chkhaidze noted.

Doctors expect the flu to peak in December and January, simultaneously with the spread of the omicron coronavirus strain.  Doctors warn that the treatment regimen of influenza and coronavirus are different, so it is important to diagnose from the very beginning.

The course of influenza this year is predicted to be more difficult in most cases than with omicron, especially in young children.

"Years of restrictions and anti-epidemic measures have virtually eliminated the layer of people who are immune to influenza in the population. Now very few people have antibodies. There is an expectation that there will be more flu cases than there were before the pandemic", Chkhaidze says.

Risk groups for both flu and omicron are the same: the elderly (over 65), children under two, pregnant women and people with chronic bronchopulmonary diseases, heart, kidney, blood, endocrine and metabolic disorders.

Earlier, the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health announced free seasonal flu vaccination until November 22.

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Hong Kong flu is spreading in Georgia this year

2022/11/60565-1669013605.jpg
Read: 1333     14:00     21 Ноябрь 2022    

Influenza cases are on the rise in Georgia, with most cases this year being the so-called "Hong Kong flu", said Ivane Chkhaidze, medical director of the Iashvili Children's Central Hospital.

According to him, the H3N2 virus is circulating in the country, there are also cases of H1N1 spread.

"The spread of influenza started very early this year in Georgia", Chkhaidze noted.

Doctors expect the flu to peak in December and January, simultaneously with the spread of the omicron coronavirus strain.  Doctors warn that the treatment regimen of influenza and coronavirus are different, so it is important to diagnose from the very beginning.

The course of influenza this year is predicted to be more difficult in most cases than with omicron, especially in young children.

"Years of restrictions and anti-epidemic measures have virtually eliminated the layer of people who are immune to influenza in the population. Now very few people have antibodies. There is an expectation that there will be more flu cases than there were before the pandemic", Chkhaidze says.

Risk groups for both flu and omicron are the same: the elderly (over 65), children under two, pregnant women and people with chronic bronchopulmonary diseases, heart, kidney, blood, endocrine and metabolic disorders.

Earlier, the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health announced free seasonal flu vaccination until November 22.

newsgeorgia.ge





Tags: