Filenews 13 December 2025 - by Marilena Panayi
Seasonal infections have begun to invade our daily lives for good with the flu having taken over and the rest of the winter viruses have begun to surround us. In fact, in the last week, according to what personal doctors record in their clinics, cases of gastroenteritis have also appeared, which, of course, often occur with the onset of winter and the first substantial drop in temperatures.
According to official European data, which of course largely apply to Cyprus as well, 20% of people who show symptoms and are tested test positive for the flu at a time when the coronavirus remains constantly in the foreground and RSV, although at a lower intensity than in previous years, has started to hit mainly young children.
"We are well into the season of seasonal viruses, with the flu virus showing an increase in recent weeks, both at a pan-European level and in Cyprus, judging by the attendance of patients in our clinics," the associate professor at the European University and scientific coordinator of the European Committee on Infections (GHS personal doctor) told "F", Konstantinos Tsioutis.
The ECDC, he noted, "confirms this, showing in its latest report, that about 20% of tests performed for respiratory infections are positive for influenza."
Analyzing the epidemiological picture of the last few days, Mr. Tsioutis pointed out that "the flu, in addition to the typical symptoms with myalgias, fatigue and cough, also seems to manifest itself with a sore throat. Its gravity, however, for the time being, does not worry us."
Of course, he stressed, "we have not yet entered the wave of the great outbreak, which, as everything shows and as is probably expected, will coincide with the festive season".
For this reason, he underlined "it obliges us again to emphasize how important prevention will be, in order to avoid transmission as much as we can".
Regarding the picture of COVID-19, Mr. Tsioutis said that "it is at much lower levels in the community", noting, however, that "as we are used to, it comes with flare-ups and remissions throughout the year and regardless of season".
Regarding the respiratory syncytial virus, RSV, he explained that "it seems to have a lower frequency than in previous years", adding that "we are waiting to see if it will show an outbreak this year as well, as it did last year, where we had a large number of cases during the Christmas period".
At the same time, he reminded that "in the last two years, RSV vaccines have also entered the game and from this year also the monoclonal antibody in young children", expressing the assessment that "we will see the epidemiological picture and behaviour of the RSV virus change, hopefully for the better".
As he said, "RSV, the respiratory syncytial virus, is a very common cause of bronchitis and pneumonia in children under five years of age, but it is also very often transmitted to adults."
It causes, he explained, "severe cough, sometimes fever, while we often see severe symptoms in the elderly" and stating that "there is a vaccine for RSV available for the elderly and pregnant women, while for young children, depending on the indications, we have in our hands, the monoclonal antibody that the paediatrician can recommend".
All winter viruses in the spotlight
As Mr. Tsioutis mentioned, "in recent weeks it seems that other viruses are circulating, such as gastroenteritis, which manifest themselves with fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea and usually last only a few days", as well as "other respiratory viruses with runny nose, sore throat and dry cough".
As he said, "most of these viruses do not need anything other than restriction, rest and treatment of symptoms" and went on to say that "the phenomenon in which many viruses circulate at the same time, which we observe during this period, is no different from previous winter seasons, since we are well aware that as temperatures drop and overcrowding increases, the more their transmission will be favoured."
In relation to prevention, Mr. Tsioutis is clear: "We have ways to deal with them and protect ourselves and it is not something new for all of us." At the same time, he stressed that "it is not too late to get vaccinated, if we have not already done so", pointing out that "our personal doctor is the first line that will guide us on which vaccines to get and when".
Simply put, he said, "we limit ourselves when we have respiratory symptoms, avoiding contact as much as possible", while "if we have severe symptoms, such as high fever, fatigue or severe cough, we seek medical advice".
He made special reference to high-risk people, noting that "those who belong to the most vulnerable groups should be more careful in their contacts and seek medical assessment when they are ill."
Finally, he reminded that "we avoid antibiotics when we have a virus" and concludes by saying that "all viruses run their course and pass".
A gradual increase in RSV is recorded in the rest of Europe
In many European countries, the activity of seasonal respiratory infections is on the rise, with a strong increase in influenza and a gradual rise in the circulation of the RSV virus, according to the most recent official surveillance data from the ECDC.
At the same time, in the latest weekly respiratory virus surveillance report published by the UK Health Security Agency, influenza activity showed a rapid increase, with the weekly average positivity reaching 21%, increased compared to the previous week, while visits to general practitioners for symptoms of the virus showed an increase in several age groups.
RSV recorded a slight increase in positivity (about 10–11%) in samples tested, particularly in children under 5 years of age, where rates remained higher compared to other groups.
At the same time, other respiratory viruses, such as human post-pneumoniavirus, also showed an upward trend, while the activity of SARS-CoV-2 remained at stable levels or in a slight decline.
At the same time, surveillance data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show a broader picture of the seasonal circulation of viruses in the EU/EEA.
In the latest weekly surveillance report, influenza activity is increasing rapidly and widely in the region, while the circulation of RSV, although initially at lower levels, also shows a gradual rise.
The circulation of SARS-CoV-2 continues to decline or remain at relatively low levels, according to the weekly bulletin of December 5.
The epidemiological monitoring integrated by the ECDC and the World Health Organization provides comprehensive data on the main respiratory infections: influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2, confirming the increasing trend of cases in several countries of the European area.
Despite the increases, ECDC experts continue to argue that the epidemiological pressure on the health system can be significantly alleviated with timely vaccination coverage against influenza and compliance with personal protection measures, especially for vulnerable groups.
In view of the holidays and low temperatures, EU health authorities are closely monitoring the evolution of seasonal infections, underlining that "timely information and preventive measures remain critical to prevent overloading of health services".
