Health Ministry specialist: Flu virus mainly affects young babies and children aged 0-5 years

"Currently, the influenza virus, which we encounter more than COVID-19, has spread among children," Health Ministry specialist Akbar Guliyev said, Report informs.

According to him, the prevalence of COVID-19 among children varies depending on the variety of strains.

"While we encountered the alpha strain of COVID-19 among younger children, the delta strain was more common with children 10 years and older. As in adults, children with major chronic illnesses, allergic bronchitis, immunosuppressive drugs, cancer and rheumatic diseases have a higher risk of severe COVID-19," the specialist said.

He noted that the symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to the flu.

"When it comes to the flu, it is difficult to distinguish the similarities with COVID-19, because both diseases cause symptoms such as sore throat, fever, fatigue, dry cough, and a method of transmission is the same. Sometimes during the illness, rashes in children are a concern for parents and they think it bears a symptom of COVID-19. Rashes often emerge after symptoms of a viral illness, and for diagnosing it is not a good choice to refer to rash. The most accurate way of differentiating symptoms is a PCR smear."

According to the expert, the flu virus, which has been spreading among children over recent days, is the influenza virus.

“It has been observed more since early December and continues to grow. It mainly affects small babies and children in the 0-5 age group. It causes severe bronchitis. This is the group of viruses that we currently encounter more among children than COVID-19. If children get sick, the parents should go to the doctor in time. Even at the first symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Children should pay close attention to masks, distance and hygiene in schools. At this point, both teachers and families have a responsibility. In addition, children at risk, such as with heart failure, diabetes, immune system deficiency, and chronic lung disease, should be vaccinated immediately against flu. It is better to get vaccinated against the flu 15 days before the start of the flu season.”

Akbar Guliyev also stressed the need to pay attention to the treatment of the influenza virus.

"Treatment of viral diseases is mainly symptomatic. Antipyretic drugs, plenty of fluids are recommended. However, children at risk and those who are not at risk but have a more severe course of the disease should use medications that affect the flu virus. We must not forget that antibiotics are not antipyretics. Antibiotics should be taken if you have a bacterial infection and medications are to be prescribed. In such cases, it is necessary to consult a doctor and treatment should be carried out only on the advice of a specialist."