The adult emergency room at Clínicas Hospital in San Lorenzo, Paraguay, has reached saturation due to a surge in patients with respiratory illnesses. This trend is particularly pronounced among chronic disease patients, the elderly, and adolescents, with 60% to 80% of all consultations related to viral or bacterial respiratory diseases.
Dr. Eduardo Espínola Grieco, head of the emergency department, stated, "Many patients arrive in need of hospitalization due to pre-existing conditions or comorbidities." He added that pneumonia is the most common illness, and exacerbations of existing conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are also frequent.
Average of 40-50 Respiratory Patients Per Day, Prolonged Waiting Times
Currently, the Clínicas Hospital emergency room sees an average of 40 to 50 respiratory patients daily, with significant fluctuations depending on the level of virus prevalence. Dr. Espínola Grieco explained, "Severely ill patients are hospitalized quickly, but the rest have to wait for a long time," noting that this situation recurs annually with sudden temperature changes.
Emphasizing the Importance of Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccinations
In light of this situation, Dr. Espínola Grieco strongly recommended enhancing prevention through influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations. He stressed, "The national vaccination schedule is designed for most of the population to complete their vaccinations before the onset of cold weather. These measures are very helpful."
Vaccination Status and the Role of Businesses Emphasized
Dr. Laura Duarte, head of the Vaccination Center, stated that the influenza vaccine is available for everyone aged 6 months and older, and pregnant women and family members of infants under 6 months must also be vaccinated. Additionally, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody injection are also available.
Dr. Espínola Grieco also urged businesses to check their employees for symptoms and provide ample rest if symptoms are present. He emphasized, "Isolation is not just for medication; it's a measure to protect others," calling for community effort.
Additional Information for Preventing Respiratory Illnesses
Respiratory illnesses are primarily spread through droplets produced during coughing or sneezing, and can also be transmitted by touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with contaminated hands. Therefore, personal hygiene is extremely important.
Handwashing: Regularly washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, is effective. Hands must be washed especially after coughing or sneezing, before and after meals, and after using the restroom.
Mask Wearing: Wear a mask in crowded or enclosed spaces to prevent droplet infection. If you have respiratory symptoms, you must wear a mask to prevent spreading it to others.
Ventilation: Regularly ventilate indoor spaces to lower the concentration of viruses.
Cough Etiquette: When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve, and dispose of used tissues immediately.
Boost Immunity: Strengthen your immune system through sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and regular exercise. Vitamin C and D intake can also help boost immunity.
Action Upon Symptom Onset: If respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, or sore throat appear, visit a medical institution immediately for examination, minimize contact with others, and rest.
Respiratory Illness Outbreak Situation in Paraguay
Paraguay tends to experience significant outbreaks of respiratory illnesses every winter, with a sharp increase in patients particularly during periods of drastic temperature changes. This is attributed to a combination of factors including low vaccination rates, dense living environments, and insufficient medical infrastructure. While the government and health authorities conduct national prevention campaigns annually, they still face many challenges. Especially vulnerable populations, such as low-income individuals and residents in areas with limited medical access, often struggle to receive timely treatment or vaccinations, making enhanced support for these vulnerable groups urgent.
Long-Term Improvement Measures
The case of Clínicas Hospital clearly illustrates the challenges faced by Paraguay's public health system. While short-term measures like improving vaccination rates and strengthening personal hygiene are important, the following long-term improvements are also needed:
Expand Medical Infrastructure: To alleviate emergency room overcrowding, increase the number of hospital beds and recruit more medical personnel. It is especially necessary to expand dedicated respiratory disease wards or clinics to establish an efficient treatment system.
Strengthen Public Health Education: Enhance public education on the prevention and management of respiratory illnesses to encourage citizens to voluntarily adhere to preventive measures.
Expand Support for Vulnerable Groups: Expand support programs to ensure that low-income individuals and residents in medically underserved areas can easily access vaccinations and medical services.
Enhance Epidemiological Investigation and Surveillance: Strengthen epidemiological investigation and surveillance systems to identify virus outbreaks early and respond quickly.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Encourage businesses to play an active role in protecting employee health by implementing flexible work arrangements and promoting sick leave usage.
Through these multi-faceted efforts, it is expected that Paraguay's public health system will be further strengthened, enabling it to respond more effectively to the recurring annual outbreaks of respiratory illnesses.
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