The number of influenza patients exceeded the guideline for the beginning of the epidemic season nationwide in the week until the 25th of last month.

This is the first time that the epidemic has entered the nationwide epidemic season since the spread of the new coronavirus began, and at pediatric clinics in Tokyo, parents are confused that they do not know which one is infected even if they have a fever. A voice was heard.

The fever outpatient clinic at a pediatric clinic in Minato-ku, Tokyo was the first day of the new year on the 5th, but when the reception started in the morning, patients with symptoms such as fever visited one after another.



This clinic sees 30 to 40 fever patients per day at the end of last month, of which 30% are positive for the new corona and 20% are infected with influenza.



In the morning of the 5th, 17 fever patients were examined, of which 7 were found to be positive for the new corona and 4 to be infected with influenza.



According to doctors, there has been no epidemic of influenza since the corona crisis, and the number of infected people is gradually increasing due to weakened immunity. It means that you are in an easy state.



In addition, as children's winter vacation ends and schools resume, there is a risk that the infection will spread. We are calling on patients who come to see us to always have test kits ready.



A mother with a child in the first grade of elementary school said, "I wasn't sure if it was the flu or the coronavirus in the early stages, so I was confused about what to do. Elementary school will resume next week, so I hope I can get better as soon as possible and stay safe." I want you to go to school with all your heart," he said.



Akifumi Tokita, a director of the Tokyo Pediatrician Association and director of the pediatric clinic Banbini, said, "If you suspect that you have the flu, please visit a medical institution to prevent it from becoming more severe. It is desirable to be within 12 hours to 12 hours.The possibility of being infected with coronavirus and influenza at the same time is low, but if you are infected, there is a high possibility that you will become seriously ill, so you need to be careful."

Influenza and Covid-19 experts fear simultaneous epidemics

Regarding the fact that the number of influenza patients has exceeded the guideline for the beginning of the epidemic season nationwide, an expert said, "From now on, the cold season will continue, and there may be a simultaneous epidemic with the new coronavirus. Measures such as vaccination will be taken. I want you to be thorough."



Tetsuya Matsumoto, chief professor at the International University of Health and Welfare, commented on concerns about a full-scale influenza epidemic for the first time since the spread of the new coronavirus three years ago, saying, "There is no doubt that we are approaching an epidemic, but at the moment It cannot be said that it is a full-fledged epidemic.On the other hand, the immunity against influenza in society as a whole is declining.In particular, children up to the age of 3 are entering this season without experiencing an influenza epidemic. There is an increased risk of aggravation," he said.



Regarding the infection status of the new coronavirus, he said, ``If you look at the number of reports alone, it seems to be decreasing, but the number of infected people has increased due to the fact that medical institutions were closed during the year-end and New Year holidays. We are not in a situation where it is declining.”



On top of that, he pointed out, ``The cold months of January and February will continue, and it is expected that both the new coronavirus and influenza will spread, and simultaneous epidemics may occur.''



As a future countermeasure, he said, ``If you get a vaccine for the new coronavirus or influenza, you will be in time for the full-scale epidemic in the future, so I want you to get it early. So, in January and February, I want you to be more careful and take thorough measures."