Dr Dulcy on vaccinations
SHOTS: YOUR GUITE TO NOT GETTING INFLUENZA
Most people who get the flu can treat themselves at home and often do not need to see a doctor.
Complications can be deadly.
Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system, your nose, throat and lungs. Most people who get the flu can treat themselves at home and often do not need to see a doctor.
If you have flu symptoms and are at risk of complications, see your doctor right away. For most people, influenza heals itself. But sometimes, influenza and its complications can be deadly. Children under 5 years old Adults older than 65 Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
Pregnant women and women up to two weeks after giving birth
People with weakened immune systems, such as HIV positive patients and diabetics
People who have chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, and kidney disease
SYMPTOMS
It usually presents like a common cold with a runny nose and sneezing. Other common signs and symptoms of the flu include the following:
Fever over 380C and chills with sweating
Sore throat
Aching muscles, especially in your back, arms and legs Chills and sweats Dry, persistent cough Fatigue and weakness Nasal congestion
CAUSES
If someone with flu coughs, sneezes, laughs or talks the flu viruses travel through the air in droplets. You inhale the droplets directly or pick up the germs from an object you touch and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.
People with the virus are contagious from the day before symptoms appear until about five days after symptoms begin.
New strains of the flu virus are appearing regularly. If you have had flu, your body has made antibodies to fight that particular strain. Therefore, if you are exposed to flu viruses that are similar to those you have encountered before, it will be less severe.
COMPLICATIONS
If you are young and healthy, seasonal influenza usually is not serious. Although you may feel miserable while you have it, the flu usually goes away in a week or two with no lasting effects. But high-risk children and adults may develop complications such as: Pneumonia Bronchitis Asthma flare-ups Heart problems Ear infections Pneumonia is the most serious.
TREATMENT
Usually, you’ll need nothing more than bed rest and plenty of fluids to treat the flu. But in some cases, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication, anaelgesics for headache and myalgia, and some vitamins. If taken soon after you notice symptoms, these drugs may shorten your illness by a day or so and help prevent serious complications.
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
If you do come down with the flu, these measures may help ease your symptoms:
Drink plenty of liquids, especially water.
Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection.
Consider pain relievers. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever to combat the achiness associated with influenza.
PREVENTION
Annual flu vaccination for everyone over the age of 6 months is highly recommended. The influenza vaccine is not 100% effective, so it is also important to take measures such as these to reduce the spread of infection:
Wash your hands. Thorough and frequent hand-washing is an effective way to prevent many common infections..
Contain your coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.
Avoid crowds. Flu spreads easily wherever people congregate. By avoiding crowds during peak flu season, you reduce your chances of infection. And, if you’re sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever subsides to lessen your chance of infecting others.
FLU VACCINE
Influenza is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications, particularly to young children, older adults and people with certain medical conditions.
Flu shots are the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated annually against influenza.
It is already available in South Africa. We get our flu season during the winter months, so the vaccine is best used during the months of March and April.
WHO SHOULDN’T GET A FLU SHOT?
If you are allergic to eggs. Most types of flu vaccines contain a small amount of egg protein.
If you had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine.
The flu vaccine is not recommended for anyone who had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine.
Check with your doctor first, though.
Some reactions might not be related to the vaccine.
Reaction to the vaccine. Some people experience muscle aches and a fever for a day or two after receiving a flu shot.
The 2-week window. It takes about two weeks for the flu shot to take full effect.
Mismatched flu viruses. In some years, the flu viruses used for the vaccine don’t match the viruses circulating.
Other illnesses.