Galery

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A new wave of influenza is coming to Greece. At the end of the week, the Ministry of Health's Centre for Diseases announced that 24 people suffering from influenza were in serious condition. 22 of them are in the intensive care ward of the Centre and their condition is still unstable. From 28 January onwards, experts have reported an increase in influenza cases with complications. "All the evidence shows that the wave of influenza in Greece is tending to grow", states the weekly report of the Centre.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Health reported that there have been four cases of death caused by influenza this year. Three of the persons were aged between 72-75 years and had health problems. They were stricken by the H1N1 influenza virus strain known as swine flu, which claimed hundreds of victims in different parts of the world four years ago. The fourth case of death was a person aged 63, who had serious health problems too but was stricken by influenza B virus strain.

"In 90% of cases, people infected with influenza have not been vaccinated", said Sotiris Tsiodras who is an associate at the Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention and an infectious diseases teacher at the Athens Medical School. The specialist advises all citizens who are in good health to consult their doctor and be vaccinated in order to protect themselves from seasonal viruses.

Doctors point out that a person can be infected under the most common conditions. Influenza can easily enter the body if you touch infected items and surfaces and then, touch your eyes, nose or mouth. The carrier can become infectious after the first day of infection and this can continue until the 5^th or 6^th day after the first occurrence of symptoms.

Unstable weather and stuffy areas catalyze the spread of different types of influenza and colds. Experts urge not to forget to use wipes if necessary, avoid close contact with infected persons, not to touch your face while out and to wash your hands often.

Winter influenza symptoms start suddenly and include high temperature in the first days of the disease. Furthermore, the sick people have pain in the muscles and joints, a headache, they feel very tired and then a dry cough, sore throat and running nose appear as well. Symptoms of gastrointestinal disorder can occur in children that are rare in adults. According to recent data, the symptoms appear between the first and the fourth day after the person has been exposed to the infection. The disease lasts two to seven days without complications but it may take longer to cure the cough.