With the start of the respiratory illness season, which runs from October to March, the Baja California Sur Health Secretariat reported that the most prevalent viral agent in the state is currently COVID-19, displacing influenza, which was the predominant virus last year.
According to Alfredo Ojeda Garmendia, the deputy director of Epidemiology at the department, an increase in acute respiratory infections (ARI) has been observed in recent weeks, an expected trend due to the drop in temperatures and the social distancing habits typical of the winter season.
“Only in October did we truly begin the cold season, epidemiologically speaking, during which the incidence of respiratory illnesses will increase. Currently, in recent weeks, we have seen an increase in acute respiratory infections, and this has to do with the season and the different viruses that can cause them, not just COVID-19 or influenza,” the official explained.
Ojeda Garmendia noted that, unlike last season, when influenza was the predominant virus after four years of significant absence, in the last four weeks, COVID-19 has once again positioned itself as the main circulating virus in Baja California Sur.
“Last winter season, influenza was the predominant respiratory virus. However, currently the most circulating virus is SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. We have detected very few cases of influenza.”
The specialist noted that, in addition to these two viruses, there are other respiratory viruses that cause symptoms of the common cold or catarrh, such as rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, metapneumoviruses, human coronaviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus, the latter with a higher incidence in children under five years of age.
Ojeda Garmendia emphasized that the initial symptoms of these infections are similar, making it difficult to distinguish between a common cold, influenza, or COVID-19 without specific testing. “It’s important that people don’t dismiss the symptoms, because they might attribute them only to a throat infection when, in reality, they might be COVID-19.”
In this context, Diana Laura, a resident of La Paz, shared that two weeks ago she experienced respiratory symptoms that she initially attributed to allergies.
“I first started with nasal congestion and sneezing. I attributed it to allergies and took pills to control it, but I didn’t get much better. I was like that for about two days, and it started to get worse because my throat was already sore; it was very red. I took something for the sore throat, and the next day I was already feeling very bad: nasal congestion, headache, sore throat, and body aches. That’s when I decided to go in for a consultation, as the sensation was very similar to when I had COVID-19.”
She added that she wasn’t tested at the doctor’s appointment, but she was prescribed rest and symptomatic treatment. “They told me that this disease was already considered endemic, and that I should be alert to symptoms and rest.”
Given this situation, the Ministry of Health reiterated its call to maintain the preventive measures implemented during the pandemic: wearing a face mask when sick, self-isolation, ventilating spaces, and frequent handwashing. “Ninety-nine percent of infections occur through the air, so the use of face masks and ventilation are essential,” emphasized the Deputy Director of Epidemiology.
Source: oem
