The cold wave increases the number of colds, flu and infections, and children risk the most severe complications. How can they be protected

The season of acute respiratory infections is at first. After infections with SARS-COV-2 that have grown weeks in a row, now, the first cases of flu, confirmed by tests, attract the attention of the doctors. Beyond the normal hygiene rules – respectively, washing on the hands with soap and water, coughing and sneezing in the elbow, wearing the mask, disinfecting the surfaces and ventilating the rooms – the vaccination remains the most effective method of prevention. And now is the most appropriate time.

Influenza, colds, but also infections with SARS-COV2 will multiply in the next period, especially since the cold wave has made us all take refuge in closed spaces. The risk of transmission will increase, the most exposed being young children and people with chronic diseases.

After weeks in a row where the number of infections with SARS-COV-2 has increased constantly, data To the National Center for Surveillance and Control of Transmissible Diseases From the National Institute of Public Health, it shows that, in the last week of September, there were over 3,700 infections with the virus that caused the Covid-19 Pandemic, 15% less than in the previous week. Most illnesses were in the age category 0-9 years-over 1,100 cases-and 10-19 years-over 460 cases.

Why were there and will be many cases of Covid-19

Basically, what has happened lately with the circulation of the Sars-Cov-2 virus repeats a model already known and will be kept from now on, explains Prof. dr. Emilian Popoviciprimary epidemiologist, vice -president The Romanian Epidemiology Society: “In the sense that the Sars-COV-2 virus does not disappear in the summer as it happens for example with the influenza virus. The influenza virus in the spring generally disappears, at least apparently, from the population. There are only extremely rare, sporadic cases, during the summer and then reappears, again, in the cold season.

First of all, the period of holidays comes when the circulation of people intensifies, the number of contacts, including human agglomerations, increases, and an increase in the number of infections occurs.

Then, after people return from holidays, they bring with them and the virus. This means a new increase in the number of infections.

After which schools and kindergartens begin and the number increases again. “These are the reasons why the number of infections with SARS-COV-2 increased during the period we have crossed. What will happen next? Probably with the coming of the cold season, after this recoil, an increase will occur again, because in the cold season it has been seen that the infection with SARS-COV-2 will not happen. Subvarians of a human cups that are characterized by an increased infectious, but only generates, in certain situations, serious cases ”, adds Prof. Dr. Emilian Popovici.

The flu is already here

To this increased circulation of the SARS-COV-2 from the next period will be added that of the seasonal respiratory viruses that produce colds and influenza. “Usually, with the coming of autumn there is a progression of respiratory viruses, after which the number of pneumonia increases and then the influenza cases appear,” stresses Prof.dr. Emilian Popovici.

With the mention that this year the influenza cases have already begun to be confirmed: “We are faced with flu cases earlier. Already in our offices have appeared objectified by rapid tests. We started the flu vaccination in Bucharest and Ilfov,” said Dr. Sandra Alexiu, family doctor, president of the Association of Family Medicals.

She added that one of the most vulnerable categories in front of the flu is that of young children, up to 5 years old and recommended vaccination.

World Health Organization -WHO-recommended for the flu season 2025-2026 the use of a trivalent vaccine that includes two-A/H1N1 and A/H3N2-and a strain B/Victoria Lineage, as opposed to last season, when the vaccine was tetravalent. The explanation is that in the last two seasons one of the stems has not circulated, so it has given up its inclusion in the vaccine.

In Romania, the flu vaccination is free for children and chronic patients, the minimum age from which the little ones can be immunized being 6 months. The flu vaccine can be prescribed on the prescription by any doctor who has a contract with the National Health Insurance House. Immunization can be done in the offices of family doctors, but also in the offices of doctors of another specialty that have vaccinology competence.

In children, the influenza vaccine can be administered from 6 months. The one who was unheard of, from the age of 2 years. However, the nasal is not recommended in children with recurrent wheezing or asthma because it could promote asthma.

A child immunized in the past with two doses of influenza can make at any time only one dose of influenza, regardless of its type or time, with or without pause.

The right period for vaccination that protects from the flu

“We are during the period when it is good to do the flu vaccination if we want to not get sick or reduce the risk of getting sick,” recommends Prof.dr. Emilian Popovici.

It draws attention to an important aspect that is often lost in view: “Between the time of the vaccine administration and the moment of post-vaccine immunity, a minimum of two weeks must pass. So this time interval must appear the protective titer of antibodies. And I underline this. Why? Vaccinated and two, three days or a week after vaccination have made the flu.

In the case of these people, their illness is aggravated either because they were vaccinated late, when the epidemic was already triggered and encountered the source of infection, or had the misfortune that before the epidemic should encounter a source of influenza infection.

An influenza vaccinated person will be protected throughout the influenza season, points out the epidemiologist: “I repeat: it is good that people who want to minimize the risk of illness will be vaccinated. In this way, they will be protected throughout the influenza season. The disease, as it prevents serious forms of disease, the flu vaccination prevents the disease and automatically, the serious forms of disease. “

More viruses can be contracted at the same time

Another influenza provaccination argument is also that of avoiding the risk of simultaneous infection with several types of respiratory viruses, for example and SARS-COV-2 and Gripal. “This conjunction has existed every year. And, unfortunately, the same person, if it has bad luck, can also do infection with the influenza virus and the infection with SARS-COV-2. So this is still a motivation for the flu vaccination that prevents the flu and in this way you are protected from a double infection.

As for the seasonal influenza epidemic it existed every year and will certainly appear this year: “There is a template if you want to be repeated year by year. And the epidemic, we cannot anticipate how big it will be Nine weeks, so this is the period.

The difference between the cold and the flu

Both cold and flu are viral respiratory infections, produced by different viruses. Both are transmitted by air through cough and sneezing, as well as by contact with contaminated areas.

The flu begins suddenly, with severe manifestations: high fever-39-40 degrees Celsius, cough, clogged nose, abundant perspiration, headaches and muscle, shock, fatigue, lack of appetite. It is treated with antivirals and analgesics and not with antibiotics.

The cold is installed slowly, over a few days. It can be accompanied or not by light fever, clogged nose, neck pain, cough, sneezing. The signs of the disease are attenuated in a few days. However, there are colds that hold for three weeks. It is treated symptomatically, with analgesics.

The colds affect the neck and nose, while the flu can affect the lungs including severe complications, such as pneumonia.