The slightly cooler weather during the past week has seen a doubling of the number of cases of Influenza A in Málaga province, although it remains below the average infection rate for Andalucia.
During the past week, the incidence of Influenza A has gone from 117 cases per 100,000 population to 247. The average for Andalucia is 298 cases per 100,000 population.
As it becomes colder in Málaga, as is soon expected, cases of Influenza A are predicted to increase dramatically with an epidemic wave of cases in the last few days of the month. Nothing, however, is certain as it all depends on the weather and we all know how unpredictable that can be.
In Madrid, for example, recent warmer temperatures have actually led to a reduction in the number of cases of Influenza A, from 480 cases per 100,000 population to 300 cases.
Around 98% of patients with influenza A recoverl without difficulty within a period not exceeding one week. However, in a minority of patients the virus provokes acute breathing problems requiring hospitalisation or even entry into intensive care units.
Another feature of the new flu is that, even though generally milder than the normal seasonal variet, itspreads more easily. The virus is spread more among children and young adults than among older people who appear to have greater immunity to H1N1.
The H1N1 virus infection occurs like the common flu, spread from person to person through droplets of saliva and nasal secretions that are expelled by coughing, talking or sneezing. The virus can also be transmitted indirectly by touching your eyes, nose or mouth after coming into contact with respiratory droplets or secretions from an infected person. This could even be secretions which have remained on the hands or are on any type of surface .
The virus can be transmitted from one day before symptoms actually start and then for a period of seven days. The maximum capacity for transmission of the virus occurs in the first three days and patients are advised to not leave their houses to avoid spreading the virus.