Zero cases of flu are recorded by EODY, while the reduction of seasonal colds is proved by the purchase of relevant preparations, which declined rapidly., due to coronavirus protection measures.
The coronavirus epidemic taught us a great lesson on how we can prevent the flu and the colds of our time., as no case of influenza has been officially detected nor any widespread spread of other viral infections due to winter. Perhaps the prolonged summer contributed to such a development, but more seems to have had an effect, the lockdown, the use of a mask but also the awareness for flu vaccination. So in addition to stopping the coronavirus outbreak, It seems that the above contributed especially to the absence of flu cases and even common colds..
These findings arise on the one hand from the data of EODY, who does not record any flu cases in the country, but also from the data of drug sales in pharmacies where the rapid decline of the relevant formulations is clearly seen.
particularly, according to EODY, from the week 40/2020 (early October) up to the week 1/2021 (4-10/1/2021) have been fully audited 204 clinical specimens and in particular 51 from hospitals and 153 from Sentinel networks. No samples were found to be positive for influenza viruses.
The corresponding period last year, EODY noted that since the week 40/2019 up to the week 2/2020 (6-12/1/2020) were totally audited 708 clinical samples all from hospitals. The 54 (7,6%) of these were positive for influenza viruses and in particular 52 (96,3%) were type A and 2 (3,7%) type B.. The 42 type A strains were substituted, of these 24 (57,1%) belonged to subtype A.(H3N2) and 18 (42,9%) in subtype A.(H1N1)pdm09.
We also had the same season last year 24 severe cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza, of which 21 with hospitalization in M.E.TH. They were also recorded 5 deaths.
These facts are also a response to those who believe that some “baptized” the coronavirus flu. It is clear that the cases of influenza that required hospitalization accounted for a small percentage of those of the coronavirus that are still estimated at 130 the day.
About the colds of the season, Data from drug sales from pharmacies show that there is a rapid decline in demand. Specifically from the IQVIA Weekly Data reports, recording sales 2000 pharmacies from 70 areas of the country seems to be the week 28/12/20 – 03/01/2, in relation to the corresponding week 30/12/19 – 05/01/20 that Respiratory Drugs decreased by -53% (-447,7 mm. pcs.) and parapharmaceuticals that do not require a prescription (OTC) Antitussives, reduction by -67,1% (-469,2 mm. pcs.)
Respectively per week 21/12-27/12, in relation to its respective week 2019 (23/12 – 29/12) Respiratory drugs appeared to be reduced by -51,3% (-398,4 mm. pcs.) and OTC Antitussive products, reduction by -63,6% (-409,5 mm. pcs.)
Also the weeks 23/11-20/12, in relation to its respective interval 2019 (25/11 – 22/12) Respiratory Drugs decreased by -38% (-1,2 million. pcs.) and OTC Antitussive Products, reduction by -48,2% (-1,1 million. pcs.)
It should be noted that the reduction of the market for drugs and parapharmaceuticals may also be attributed to the restriction of visits to doctors due to restrictive measures, but it is certain that a patient would not be afraid to visit a doctor or pharmacy if he had a problem. What is certain, however, is that traffic restrictions and the use of a mask have reduced the transmission of viruses., as well as the closure of schools where they are often turned into outbreaks of disease. Also note that in October and November over 4 Millions of our fellow citizens have been vaccinated against the flu, unprecedented for our country.
Source: News247.gr
