Jo Chipchase asks: “what on earth is the horrible virus in Granada that ‘took down’ so many residents, and will it kindly go away for fiesta season?
WITH SPRING just around the corner, Granada can be divided into two camps: those who have recently been felled by two-week lurgy, and those who feel sprightly because they have “done it now” – or are simply immune to coughs and sneezes not caught in “handkerchieves” But will they be immune to pollen? Or the dust blown around by the latest Calima episode? Will something else fell them after the virus in Granada subsides?
.January’s figures for the prevalence of virus in Granada recorded around 220 acute respiratory infections per 100,000 people – high enough for Andalucía to reintroduce masks in health centres – yet with ‘farmacias’ insisting that “solo un resfriado” had ‘la culpa’.
Unfortunately, this particular “cold” virus in Granada had ideas of its own!
Across the region, people took sickies from work, flattened by exhaustion, shortness of breath, and wondering how walking the dog became an endurance sport.
Attempt obras, and you felt like keeling over amongst the cement. Go to the gym, and one session would precede a day of bed-rest. Walk uphill and recovery was needed – possibly in the nearest bar!
And now, we are facing the Calima (with ‘un poco’ of mud rain today). We also have the onset of pollen season – with all those dodgy trees and foliage spreading their nasty allergens everywhere. Atchoo, atchoo, atchoo!
“Have another inhaler”
Pharmacies delivered the “just a cold” line to the reporter with admirable firmness, at a time when Granada was reporting Gripe A, RSV, and Covid. Despite there only being the “common cold”, Covid and Gripe A tests were strangely absent in the village. Nobody wants to mention the “C-word” anyway. Not just before tourist season – and after all those floods!
The reporter, her family, and several friends, had “The Lurgy” for over two weeks. After coughing hard enough to throw up, while finding it difficult to catch a decent breath, Urgencias was visited. Cue dubious looks. Could it be lifestyle related? Those lungs sound OK now! “Do have another blue inhaler, dear, (despite the last one causing a problem at altitude) and some nice antibiotics!”
After paying 30e for various items at the ‘farmacia’, it was impressive that the entire cold virus disappeared between Urgencias and home, 20mins away. Like a giant switch suddenly being flicked into the “off” position.
We’re not sure that “lifestyle habits” can cause gastrointestinal distress, violent coughing fits, wheezing, feeling dizzy, and being unable to lead a horse 200m upslope without collapsing on the nearest sofa in your riding boots.
Hmm!
Know your virus: RSV vs Covid vs “just a cold” (since we’re here)
At some point, even the most patient sufferer asks what this virus in Granada thing actually was.
A traditional cold starts gently, stays mostly above the neck, allows complaining while functioning, and clears up in under a week.
RSV in adults frequently begins oddly – stomach upset, headache, a vague “off” feeling – before moving into the chest. Fatigue is disproportionate. Breathlessness on exertion is common. Vertigo makes surprise appearances. Symptoms change day by day. Exercise is punished. Recovery is slow and uneven.
Covid, these days, looks remarkably similar: GI symptoms, fatigue out of proportion to effort, breathlessness, and the familiar pattern of “I’m better -no, wait, I’m not”. Without a test, the two are frequently indistinguishable. (PS, there were no tests left in the reporter’s village, despite everything apparently being “just a cold”).
So when people say, “I think it was Covid,” they are not being dramatic. They are reviewing an illness that behaved nothing like a cold they remember from the past.
Covid hasn’t gone anywhere. RSV hasn’t gone anywhere. They’ve simply been bundled together, politely unnamed, and rebranded as something less awkward – that won’t upset those incoming tourists.
Guess what: the reporter’s incoming tourist was bedridden in the hotel with the same lurgy involving coughing, bad throat, and fatigue!
Alternative excuses for the virus in Granada
There are very good reasons for pretending that nobody is sick! Granada region has recently coped with hideous floods. Now, the rain has returned, just as people considered packing their puffer jacket away and bookng a hotel on the ‘Costa’.
It’s better (arguably) for tourists to associate Granada region with sunshine (and skiing) not sickness or muddy water everywhere!
“Come to Granada,” pairs better with vino and tapas than “plan your day around wheezing fits”.
Everything is normal. Everyone has a cold. Please enjoy your holiday!
Into the mix, we have a few alternative theories. Someone inevitably mentioned that chemtrails gave everyone the virus in Granada. This is allegedly less alarming than other “C-words”.
Can the virus in Granada please disappear before fiesta season?
There is also a practical concern. The lurgy does not enjoy its victims standing around at fiestas, late nights. dust, or dancing.
Fiesta season requires stamina, questionable sleep, and prolonged uprightness.
If this thing lingers into summer, it will be a real bore. We shall save the sorry tale of “how the reporter once had flu at San Juan and thought she might throw up on the stage” for another thrilling article.
The vibe needs raising!
Granada has already done floods.
It has done winter lurgy.
It is now ready for fiestas.
Atchoo.