CROATIA: Flu epidemic is coming: 50,000 infected expected

Although the first cases of flu were recorded last month, the epidemic is expected in mid-February. Currently, 646 people are registered as ill in Croatia. In the next few weeks, this number will increase manifold. Around 50,000 people are expected to be ill. Last year, there were as many as 80,000, reports the Patria News Agency. 

Although many take it lightly, flu is a serious illness that starts suddenly compared to other colds. The incubation period is 24 hours, and symptoms develop within 3 to 5 hours.

- We could briefly say that flu is an illness that throws you into bed. It is most often an acute respiratory illness that comes with a high fever, where painful symptoms, body aches, and headaches are dominant, and only later do respiratory symptoms appear. The main difference between flu and a cold is that flu can be accompanied by serious complications. Especially for people suffering from lung and cardiovascular diseases, and it is particularly dangerous for the elderly and children. Interestingly, one infected person can infect up to twelve people. The basic prevention is hand hygiene.

This is because most viral infections, especially the flu virus, spread through droplets. Therefore, when you come in from outside, be sure to wash your hands with soap. During the flu season, you should avoid places where many people gather. And when the season starts, get plenty of fresh air, eat healthy, exercise, consume lemons and oranges, sauerkraut, and so on," said family medicine doctor Vjekoslava Amerl Šakić.

- The best protection against flu is timely vaccination. Currently, about 260,000 vaccines have been used, but there are still additional doses available, says Dr. Vladimir Draženović from the Croatian Institute of Public Health. Citizens are recommended to get vaccinated regardless of age, writes Index.