The infectious disease specialist Patricia Valenzuela recommended that citizens wear masks if they present respiratory symptoms to avoid the proliferation of viruses, especially in those families or environments where children under two years of age or older adults with chronic diseases are present.
The infectologist and former president of the Venezuelan Society of Infectious Diseases, Patricia Valenzuela, stated about a rebound in respiratory diseases in the country, such as H1N1, coronavirus and seasonal influenza, after the October report published by the Pan American Health Organization.
«The last PAHO surveillance report from October mentioned that in Venezuela there is a predominance of influenza A, which is H1N1 and corresponds to the same as the 2019 and 2010 pandemic. It is circulating and an increase has been evident… There is also activity of the respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2, with lower levels. The fact that the levels are low does not mean that they are not circulating,” the infectious disease specialist said in an interview with Union Radio.
The specialist explained that people with influenza A present “weakness, muscle pain, fever, nasal congestion, red nose, sneezing and a little cough.”
He also recalled that in the second half of the year the vectors (mosquitoes) that transmit dengue, Zika and chikungunya increase, due to the rains.
Likewise, the infectious disease specialist recommended that citizens wear masks if they present respiratory symptoms, to avoid the proliferation of viruses, especially in those families or environments where children under two years of age or older adults with chronic diseases are present.
“We are in the seasonal influenza season that began from September to March-April 2026. I think it is a good habit for people to wear their masks if they have respiratory symptoms, are going to be in closed places or it is essential that they go out,” he explained.
He also reaffirmed hand washing with soap and water or disinfection with antibacterial gel, as part of the prevention measures, as well as avoiding self-medication or the use of antiparasitics or antibiotics to treat these respiratory diseases.
*Journalism in Venezuela is carried out in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments in place to punish the word, especially the laws “against hate”, “against fascism” and “against the blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
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