“We expect the peak of the outbreak of viral infections and gastroenteritis in early February,” said Theodora Psaltopoulou, a pathologist, professor of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the Medical School of the University of Athens, speaking to the First Program.

She added “Indeed, now in January we have the outbreak of respiratory viruses and influenza. The coronavirus is at stable levels compared to the previous month, but also the metapneumovirus, which was known but has now become more famous. So all but especially people who are considered vulnerable groups 60 years and over and people with health problems, it is important for those people two things: First, that they have been vaccinated according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and if they have not done it they can do it even now and also importantly, if they see fever and respiratory symptoms, it is good with the help of their doctor, their doctors to do the test to see if it is influenza or coronavirus, because this implies many times different specific treatment or general treatment.”

The basic treatment is prevention

“We continue to have a spike in January or a peak in early February. It’s no different from previous years, but it’s important to be prepared. Along with that we have, as we’ve discussed before, the epidemic of pertussis, cough, 100 days, which especially for pregnant women, those who are looking after children and people 60 years and older, it’s very important to have vaccination coverage because we have an outbreak in both Europe and America. And on the gastrointestinal problem, at least some symptomatic treatment is needed. We have an epidemic in Europe and in America of norovirus causing gastrointestinal symptoms. Of course, it is not the only one. However we need if we see a worsening and with fever and the possibility of not being able to eat plus all the other gastrointestinal symptoms it is important to talk to our doctor to get the appropriate medication. It’s important, especially hydration of the person and if we’re talking about people 60 years of age and older or younger with children 1, 2 3 years old, it’s very important to hydrate the person. If we see that we are struggling, it is very important to have contact with both our internist and our pediatrician for the right treatment of the person and especially to keep the person hydrated.”

Typically the duration is five days – Last week we had 25 deaths from coronavirus and three from influenza

“Last week we had about 25 deaths from coronavirus and three from influenza, which means that coronavirus is now in our lives but unfortunately it is still leading to deaths, certainly in people 70 to 80 years old but also in people with health problems. And, of course, all of this within a week. So we always take care and we don’t come into contact with people who have respiratory symptoms or look to wear a mask. So we’re careful so that we don’t catch it and if we do catch it we talk to our doctor to get the proper treatment.”