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It's wet, humid, windy … it's the time when the flu starts most actively to continue. In addition, it is a very complex and varied virus that does not fail to visit the man for years. In addition, this year will be no exception and the flu can affect us all. However, it is possible to avoid the flu. What is the flu, its infection, the consequences of the virus infection on the body and the tactics to use to fight the flu, according to the multidisciplinary medical center. Health Center 4 Family doctor Karina Vernere.
Is the flu dangerous?
Compared to other infectious diseases, influenza varies according to the prevalence rate, the incidence and severity of complications. This can cause not only serious illness, but also the death of a person. The number of these deaths is increasing every year in Latvia. 2013-2014 During the year, the flu for the cause of death was set at five people, but in 2015-2016. The death toll has already reached seventy. The causes of this contagious disease are viruses A, B and C, which include hundreds of sub-viruses, and are differentiated from others by their variable nature. Although influenza is considered very common, it is a very devastating global disease because its viruses, whose symptoms are constantly evolving, cause repeated infections in one person. The flu can potentially affect anyone, regardless of age, gender and race.
What are the signs of the flu?
The signs of the first flu appear 48 to 72 hours after infection, the incubation period can vary from 24 hours to seven days. Influenza is characterized by sudden onset, headache, fever, high fever, bone loss, nasal congestion without drowsiness, and dry, all-consuming cough.
Where and how can I get infected?
Influenza viruses around the world are active all year, but the disease itself is considered seasonal. In the northern hemisphere, the activation of influenza virus occurs mainly between November and April, while in the southern hemisphere, from May to September. Influenza is a viral infection that spreads through droplets during an outbreak. The reason that flu is directly present in cold and wet periods is the desire of people to meet in closed enclosures where both direct and indirect contamination is possible. Most of the time, the viruses are infected by inhalation and the possibility of another infection – in direct contact with the secretion of the sick person. For example, when a sick person coughs or sneezes, an aerosol cloud, which contains high levels of virus and spreads up to six meters, forms around the patient, that is to say that 39 It reaches the respiratory tract of the human patient through the patient's respiratory tract. The influenza virus can be inhaled or infected with items containing nasal secretion and throat of the patient. The incubation period of the flu is from one to four days, depending on the dose received and the specific immunity of the individual.
What are the preventive measures?
During an outbreak of influenza, the risk of infection – the amount of virus – can be reduced through frequent ventilation and hygiene. It is desirable to avoid visiting public places. It is important throughout the year to strengthen immunity. However, a more effective way to avoid the flu is to vaccinate it before the flu becomes epidemic. Unfortunately, despite the potential dangers of the disease as well as the safety and efficacy of clinically-approved influenza vaccines, many companies still do not understand the benefits of vaccination and do not use influenza vaccines to the point where they could and should be used.
Of course, unlike many other diseases, because of the changing nature of the flu virus, this viral infection can get sick every year and every year the vaccine must be reintroduced into the body. The World Health Organization is collecting data on the influenza subtypes that were active last winter and those that could come into effect next year. According to research findings and scientific predictions, vaccines are developed in a timely manner for a given influenza season.
What is the best flu vaccine?
Although influenza has not yet begun to invade Latvia, only a few cases have been detected, but it can also be transmitted from other countries. Just recently, Latvia announced that people infected with the so-called Asian flu were not only sick but also dead. This type of flu has been detected in Singapore, China and Hong Kong. The concern has also been raised in Canada, where the dead are also linked to the virus, and the World Health Organization has in no way invited travelers to refrain from visiting Asian countries. Usually, in Latvia, the first cases of influenza occur at the end of October or the beginning of November. It can be isolated cases, but it is better to get vaccinated in time. After vaccination, immunity occurs within two weeks and lasts one year. If a vaccinated person is in contact with this virus, his body is already ready to react and he does not get sick. However, if a person falls ill, it will be protected from complications and fatal outcome. However, we must not forget that the flu virus will only protect the flu from other viruses.
Can someone really count on the fact that she will not get pregnant after the vaccination?
There are influenza A and B viruses. Many people say that they will not be vaccinated simply because they can not know what kind of influenza virus will be relevant over the course of a year. given. Really – the most common type A and type B influenza virus, but also the type C virus is circulating. Vaccinated against viruses that are the most common cause of illness and death. However, a four-component influenza vaccine is available for the second year. It involves many more serotypes of the influenza virus, so the effectiveness of the vaccine is much greater.
The vaccine may be ineffective if the vaccination is done when a person is already infected with the flu or if it occurs shortly after vaccination, until the immune system develops. It's a mistake to believe that the vaccine itself can cause the flu. It develops only antibodies in the body, but does not cause disease because the influenza vaccine is inactivated (not active). There are rare cases in which a patient admitted for influenza was hospitalized, suffered serious complications or died.
Why do you need to re-vaccinate every year?
As a result, the influenza virus is changing. Influenza viruses are usually different, they can cause diseases in humans, animals and birds. The virus mix creates a new viral structure different from the previous season. As a result, each year the World Health Organization monitored the circulation of influenza and developed an appropriate vaccine.
What complications can the flu cause?
As with other infections, people with influenza have seven days. However, after a cold, you can recover quickly, but in case of flu two weeks after closing, the person feels depressed, sometimes uncomfortable. Often, after the fluctuation of the flu, there are other diseases – both those previously known to the patient and those who did not know it. Bronchitis is the most common complication in 20% of cases. The risk of bronchitis is relatively high in patients with diabetes and ischemic heart disease, as well as in patients aged 60 years and older. Pneumonia is not only the next major complication of influenza, but also the most common cause of flu caused by death. This disease develops due to the progression of the flu or 4 to 14 days after apparent recovery. It is commonly seen in the elderly, as well as in patients with chronic heart, lung and metabolic diseases, but may also affect pregnant women and adolescents.
Who should be vaccinated?
Vaccination is recommended for children, the elderly, and depressed people because they have the highest risk of developing a viral infection. Patients with bone and joint diseases, urinary tract, cardiovascular and digestive disorders should also be particularly exposed to health and prolonged illnesses should be treated promptly, so as not to contribute to an epidemic. d & # 39; infection. The flu vaccine is the first potion needed for smokers as well as for people with bronchial and pulmonary diseases. Those who have planned medical manipulations, such as surgical procedures, must absolutely be vaccinated. First, the infection with the flu could disrupt the intended manipulations. Second, the hospital is an environment in which the flu virus moves easily from one patient to the other. Third, in the postoperative period, the body can be lessened and more susceptible to the influenza virus.
What are the conditions for vaccination against influenza?
The vaccine was grown in egg products. People allergic to eggs and egg white should therefore be vaccinated by an attending physician. In addition, pregnant women and nursing mothers should consult a vaccination specialist. This manipulation should be postponed until exacerbation of chronic diseases and acute illnesses. Vaccination of a child requires a certificate issued by a doctor treating a day before vaccination and certifying that the child is in good health. If you wish to be vaccinated against other diseases, it is advisable to respect an interval of two weeks between the vaccines.
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