The increase in rains and floods in an important part of the country, as a result of successive frontal systems, is causing many families to leave their homes and take shelter in other homes, causing overcrowding and thus the risk of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) infections, but above all, in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic.
This was warned by the president of the Society of Respiratory Diseases (SER Chile), Laura Mendoza, who noted that “these rains, with some floods and high humidity, and with the cold that follows, are factors that can influence a greater risk acute respiratory diseases, whether ARI or also decompensation of patients with chronic respiratory diseases “.
“For example, patients with asthma or with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), or even with heart failure or other conditions, can be compensated for presenting acute respiratory infections,” explained the specialist.
In this sense, he warned that exposure to the weather or overcrowding are triggering factors for these infections. “For example, families who have suffered flooding in their homes and who have had to move to another home are more likely to be overcrowded, and this obviously implies a higher risk of ARI, but also of covid, which is practically the only virus circulating ”, he stressed.
The president of SER Chile warned that “heating in homes can also contribute to environmental contamination, as is the case of wood heating, and that is a factor that also contributes to worsening respiratory ailments and the possibility of ARI. It is not a matter of having a good system with circulation, which will avoid domestic contamination, but of being solidary, because the use of firewood contaminates the city ”.
“On the contrary, there are families who obviously do not have the resources for a good heating system, and who use firewood or charcoal to heat their houses, and this generates domestic contamination. This type of heating can be triggers for acute symptoms, ”said Dr. Mendoza.
Therefore, he said that “we must avoid these overcrowding as much as possible, as long as it is possible to do so. Otherwise, take all possible measures to avoid contagion, extreme care and confinement. “
“It is also recommended to ventilate the houses. In the case of shelters, the authorities must ensure the hygiene of the premises, seek social distancing from those who use it and encourage permanent hand washing. These are measures that help to avoid covid infections” added.
In addition, he recalled that “an additional factor with smoking. The person who smokes, in these cold temperatures, is also at risk of contracting an ARI, and if he uses tobacco inside the home, it ends up damaging his family, as they become passive smokers “
“We must also remember that those who smoke are also potential covid patients, due to the action of putting their hands to their faces, the main route of contagion, to which more complex respiratory symptoms are added if smokers get the coronavirus,” he concluded. Dr. Laura Mendoza.
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