Orellana CJE, Orellana CM, Morales CV, Leyva DJE, Hernández AME, Ricárdez EVA, Acevedo MAE

Language: Spanish
References: 16
Page: 41-44
PDF size: 374.08 Kb.

ABSTRACT

The influenza virus is a respiratory pathogen of major global relevance, responsible for pandemics and epidemics associated with high morbidity and mortality. Between October and March, it is estimated that 5-15% of the world's population becomes infected, which is associated with approximately 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and between 290,000 and 650,000 deaths annually. Dentists constitute a high-risk group for infection due to the environment in which they carry out their professional practice, particularly within the oral cavity; therefore, it is important to adopt all preventive and protective measures to avoid possible infection with respiratory viruses, such as influenza A subtype H3N2. The aim of this study is to describe some of the characteristics of the virus, as well as the preventive methods currently available. In conclusion, the influenza H3N2 virus has shown high mortality in a population predominantly composed of elderly individuals with comorbidities. It should be considered a virus that has been present for many years, evolving from causing a pandemic to behaving as an endemic virus, initially observed in Asian countries and subsequently spreading to Western and Northern Hemisphere countries due to factors such as climatic conditions and globalization. The timely implementation of preventive measures by health services, as well as at the individual level, will help reduce the number of infections and prevent it from becoming a major public health problem.

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