HEALTH: Influenza is not a common cold  – Get Vaccinated

So far this year, some 10 people have died from influenza in Panama, including three minors, and three of the victims died in Panama West reports TVN.

 This scenario has forced the authorities to communicate to the public that we are not facing a common cold, so it is necessary to be immunized.

Max Ramírez, a pediatrician, clarified that the influenza virus is not a common cold but a viral disease, popularly known as trancazo that causes a sudden high fever of about 40 degrees, accompanied by pain in the joints and in the head. In addition, it causes a dry cough, general discomfort, sore throat, and rhinitis.

“Influenza can be serious and in some cases, it can lead to death,” he reaffirmed.

By contrast, the common cold is a fever of 37 to 38 degrees, with mild discomfort that slowly takes over the body.

He recalled that babies can be vaccinated from 6 months and they should receive two doses against influenza, with an interval of one month. That is, before the year they must have both vaccines and after that, they are given the vaccine once a year.

Likewise, it was clarified that people with colds can be vaccinated as long as they do not have a fever. The health centers of the Ministry of Health are vaccinating from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm.

Ramírez reported that there are still 320,800 doses waiting to be administered, which will be distributed over the weekend at 99 Rufina Alfaro, the Crisol court, and the Santiago de La Guardia school.