Cienfuegos province has experienced an increase in medical attention due to acute respiratory infections (ARI) in comparison with a similar period last year. The arrival of winter impacts in the increase of the so called seasonal influenza,

which could complicate even more the existing sanitary situation; especially taking into consideration the spreading of the influenza A H1N1 virus in the territory. At Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima Provincial Teaching Hospital the prevention labors to guarantee the circulation, isolation and adequate treatment of patients who are supposedly carrying the virus, are intensified.

"The most important thing is not to blend the patients so we won't increase or expand the risk of infection to the rest of the patients and the health staff in the hospital. We keep the habitual services; we have only decreased the elective surgery activity in a considerable percentage in order to give attention to patients suspicious of having the influenza A H1N1 virus who have required some sort of urgent surgical treatment. "

"The population can be sure that all conditions to face the disease, diminish its impact and preserve lives are created; taking into account that for that aim the most important factor is the responsible attitude that every person has to take", assured M.D. Moisés Santos Peña, Vice- director of Epidemiology and Quality Management of the most important hospital in the province.

This new virus, known as A H1N1, is generally lethal when a responsible attitude before the first symptoms is not assumed. In over 80% of the patients the disease shows in a benign form, that is to say, it begins with symptoms of a common cold; that is why the specialists suggest that if you are among the groups of risk (children under 5, pregnant women, obese, alcoholic, diabetic or suffering kidney insufficiency), you must go to the doctor´s and let them define your health condition.

"It is important that the population feels no fear to go to primary or secondary health assistance in case any symptoms appear; the treatment is indicated to those patients who are within the groups of risk, and it is administered orally during 5 days of hospital admission.

Depending on the evolution of the disease, a doctor determines those cases out of the groups of risk that require admission. If at the beginning of the cold or flu appear symptoms like: respiratory distress, high fever, prostration, convulsion, intense sustained coughing or cyanosis, we strongly recommend visiting a doctor; the effectiveness of the treatment will be bigger if administered within the first 48 hours…", added M.D. Moisés Santos Peña.

The effective inquiry made by the public health sanitary staff in primary attention has been a success factor in the control of this disease; it has made possible to admit in the provincial hospital all pregnant women showing some respiratory symptom before 24 hours, avoiding deaths in this group of risk.

"Up to this moment, the complications we have had in the hospital have been with patients pertaining to groups of risk, specially related to endocrine conditions, obese, asthmatics, alcoholics, patients suffering from renal insufficiencies, as well as some patients having psychiatric and neurological problems.

It is important to clear out that the treatment using the antibiotic known as Tamiflu as shown no severe allergic reaction provoked by intolerance to the medication, meaning digestive problems, stomachache, diarrheic states, vomits, all mild…", points out the Vice- director of Epidemiology and Quality Management of Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima Provincial Teaching Hospital.

The fourth cause of death in Cuba is seasonal influenza an pneumonia, to which can now be added the epidemic situation related to the spreading of the AH1N1 virus; which could increase the number of people deceased due to this cause.

For the population without known exposition is recommended the frequent hand washing, avoiding hand shakes and kissing, not to rub your eyes or attend unnecessarily to crowded places, protect oneself from the weather and avoid abrupt temperature changes, not to suspend breast feeding, sleep enough, do physical exercises, control stress, drink a lot of fluids, not to expose to environmental contaminants and not smoking in closed places near children, elders or sick people.

Decisive months are coming, times showing abrupt temperature changes, when we must stay alert and take care of our family´s health and our own.