Ther is a boom in gastroenteritis with symptoms that seem to never end. In this period in the offices of family doctors “we still see many cases of a persistent gastrointestinal formviral type.And if in previous years these infections resolved in 2 or 3 days, in this phase we notice that they tend to remain active for 7-10 days. Furthermore, some patients have a reactivity that increases their duration and often have relapses”. The picture is outlined by Silvestro Scotti, general secretary of the Federation of general practitioners (Fimmg), who notes that “all the viruses of this period, even the parainfluenza ones, the cold ones, seem more aggressive. And stress favors them“.
A cycle that quickly becomes vicious. “We have a population – explains Scotti – that has become more hypochondriac after Covid. Gastroenteritis and irritable colon phenomena are greatly affected by emotional stress. And if the virus itself lasts longer, stress and fear of other diseases are added consequently.The patient enters a cycle of discomfort with symptoms that must be treated, in some cases, even with drugs to reduce the resulting anxiety and which is released in somatization at the gastrointestinal level. A dog chasing its tail. Not only that. When a symptom that you are used to seeing vanish in a few days then lasts 7-10, requests for all possible tests, gastroenterological visits and abdominal ultrasound begin. We therefore fall into an excess of medicalisation and also anxiety and fear.”
In this context, for Scotti, the appeal to citizens “is do not self-medicate with antibiotics. If there is a complication it should always be evaluated by a doctor. the indiscriminate use of these drugs makes them ineffective and we see the resistance of pathogens growing more and more. Let’s remember that in this period most infections are viral, antibiotics are not necessary. Indeed,using it inappropriately can lead to the risk that,if a real complication occurs,that same antibiotic will not work.”
Influence
As regards the flu, “we are still in a phase of ‘relative calm’. The greatest number of cases,at the moment,concern young people while we have little impact on the elderly”,explains Scotti who underlines how,at this moment,the The commitment of family doctors,with respect to influenza,is above all linked to vaccinations,which concern an increasingly higher number of patients since “in our practices the population of elderly and chronic patients is increasingly greater and vaccination is concentrated in a few months”.
The impact of the flu,these days,therefore “concerns young adults. We also see it from the increase in requests for sickness certificates. This certainly has an impact on productivity. I believe it would be useful to reflect on the possibility of promoting more influenza vaccination in the working age”.
How can stress impact recovery from gastrointestinal infections like gastroenteritis?
Interview with Silvestro Scotti: Understanding the Current Gastroenteritis Boom and Flu Trends
Editor of Time.news (E): good morning, Dr. Scotti. Thank you for joining us today. There’s been a noticeable rise in gastroenteritis cases lately. Can you explain the current situation regarding gastrointestinal infections?
Silvestro Scotti (S): Good morning, and thank you for having me. Indeed, we’ve seen a boom in gastroenteritis cases. What’s alarming is that many patients are experiencing persistent symptoms that seem to linger much longer than in previous years. Typically, these viral infections would resolve within 2 to 3 days, but now we observe symptoms lasting 7 to 10 days. This increase in duration seems to be related to various viral strains becoming more aggressive during this period, including common cold viruses and parainfluenza. Stress also plays a critically important role in exacerbating these conditions.
E: It sounds concerning. You mentioned that many patients experience heightened anxiety,especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. How does this impact their recovery?
S: Absolutely. The population has become more hypochondriac post-COVID,which is understandable. Emotional stress can substantially impact gastrointestinal health, leading to phenomena like irritable bowel syndrome. When a typical symptom doesn’t vanish quickly, patients often begin to fear the worst, prompting excessive medical visits and tests. This cycle of discomfort can lead to a notion of ‘somatization,’ where physical symptoms manifest from underlying anxiety.
E: That leads to increased medicalization and perhaps over-treatment. What do you reccommend for patients who are experiencing these symptoms?
S: My primary advice is to avoid self-medicating, particularly with antibiotics. The majority of these gastrointestinal infections are viral, and antibiotics are ineffective against them. Unnecessary use can lead to antibiotic resistance, compounded by the risk that when a real bacterial complication arises, the prescribed antibiotics may fail. Always consult a doctor before taking any medication.
E: Shifting gears to the flu, what can you tell us about the current influenza situation?
S: Currently, we are in a phase of ‘relative calm’ regarding influenza. However, most cases involve young adults, while the elderly population seems less impacted for now. Family doctors are mainly focused on vaccination efforts,which have seen a rise as we cater to an increasing number of elderly and chronic patients in our practices.
E: That’s insightful. With more young adults being affected, what impact do you see this having on the workforce?
S: The rising flu cases among young adults certainly affect productivity, particularly reflected in the increase of sickness certificate requests. There’s a pressing need for greater flu vaccination efforts, especially within working-age populations to mitigate these effects.
E: Any final thoughts or practical advice for our readers regarding stomach ailments or flu season?
S: Yes, it’s crucial for readers to stay informed about the importance of vaccinations and not to fall into the trap of unnecessary worry regarding gastrointestinal symptoms. Maintaining proper hygiene, managing stress, and seeking timely medical advice are key. Understanding that most infections this season are viral is essential for everyone to prevent excess worry or over-treatment.
E: Thank you so much, Dr.Scotti, for your valuable insights today. We appreciate your time and look forward to sharing this significant information with our readers.
S: Thank you for having me. Stay healthy!