Cases surge, with four times more people getting sick than a year ago

The number of cases of flu is growing. There are more of them than in the fall and in January last year.

As reported by the portal „Interia”, the number of cases of flu is growing rapidly. In the past month, 50,000 cases were diagnosed per week, which means five times more cases than were recorded in the autumn of last year. An increase was also recorded compared to the same period last year. Unfortunately, the forecasts are not optimistic, we are still ahead of the peak of the disease.

More and more cases of flu

Four times more cases of flu were recorded in January than in the same period last year. Prof. Ernest Kuchar, head of the Pediatrics Clinic with Observation Department at the Medical University of Warsaw, points out that 90 percent of young patients in his ward are suffering from flu.

„These are patients with a severe course of flu – pneumonia or neurological complications, because flu can also damage the central nervous system – said the expert, quoted by the Polish Press Agency.

As the specialist points out, the increase in the number of cases is facilitated by the aging of society, as well as functioning in large groups of people. The doctor points out that the influenza virus is transmitted by droplets, and we are exposed to infection with it both in schools, kindergartens, workplaces, and in public transport.

It could have been better prepared?

According to the expert, the state neglected preparations for the flu season, which had a strong impact on the scale of illnesses. Kuchar, quoted by „Interia”, indicates that one of the possibilities was to introduce an order to wear masks in health care facilities, as well as to start the holidays earlier to avoid students from getting infected in schools.

Doctors keep reminding that one of the most effective forms of protection against flu and its complications is the use of vaccinations. Children between 16 months and 18 years of age, as well as people over 65, can get vaccinated for free.