Intestinal viruses and respiratory diseases, alert throughout Italy: 30-50 year olds at risk

When it comes to health on a national and international scale, the alert level in Italy is always very high. The perception that citizens have of health communication has radically changed after Covid.

In fact, we tend to pay more attention to what are the “seasonal diseases”, but above all to all the variants triggered by viruses and by climate changes. It is the case of March 2024, which began with strong temperature changes. These have certainly had an impact on more fragile subjects and not only. Let’s see in detail what the situation is in Italy currently.

Respiratory and intestinal diseases

Pierluigi Bartolettideputy national secretary of the Italian Federation of general practitioners (Fimmg), took stock of the situation, speaking toAdnkronos: “Influenza B has yet to arrive, which strikes children and teenagers between March and April”.

A warning followed by some useful advice to best protect your body. Nothing complex, to be honest, but these are practices that many decide to ignore. He mainly recommends arming yourself with patience, rehydrating yourself as best you can during the day. It would also be appropriate to skip meals if you have a poor appetite. At most you can prefer a frugal meal.”

The reference in this case is above all to the management of respiratory and intestinal diseases currently widespread throughout Italy. The transitions from dry to wet, caused by the temperature changes at the end of February and beginning of March, certainly didn’t help.

“We see each other in colleagues’ surgeries cases of intestinal viruses, which cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, even severe ones. This especially concerns the working population, 30-50 year olds. We also see some viral pneumonia, but the Covid really seems to have disappeared from the radar”.

Intestinal virus

As mentioned, March 2024 will be characterized by a widespread intestinal virus. Not only adults but also children are at risk. This depends above all on the ease of contagionwhich occurs mainly through contact with an infected person, as well as with contaminated objects and the ingestion of contaminated food or water.

Dynamics easily applicable to office or school life. Just think of a single sick child or colleague, with whom perhaps you share a snack or a bottle of water. The best form of prevention is guaranteed by frequent hand washing with soap.

Realizing that you are dealing with a gastrointestinal virus is quite simple. Here are the symptoms:

• vomit;
• diarrhea;
• persistent headache;
• general malaise;
• abdominal pain.

The development of fever does not fall within the canonical cases and the form circulating in March 2024 makes no difference. If this happens, you should consult your doctor. In fact, it means that the organism is fighting against a particularly severe form.

As for the duration of the discomfort, generally it’s a few days. Typically it lasts two to three days, depending on the virus responsible for the symptoms. In more serious cases, however, it could also last a week.