Every year with the arrival of winter, we also come across the symptoms of frequent sneezing, cough, and headache. Without any doubt, we know that the flu season has arrived.
Seasonal flu or influenza is a respiratory infection that is caused by Influenza viruses. It gets transmitted from one person to another via droplets. Some of the common symptoms of flu include cough, cold, fever, headache, body ache, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and fatigue. According to the reports, every year around 6 to 11% of people get affected by the seasonal flu.
How Does Seasonal Flu/Influenza Affect People?
- Pneumonia, cold, cough, fever, etc.
- Long term damage to heart and lungs
- Hospitalization and hence treatment expenses, absenteeism from work, etc.
- Loss of Company Productivity
- The weakening of the immune system
Who Is At Greater Risk?
- Pregnant women
- People already suffering from other allergies, infections, and chronic diseases
- People who are exposed to other people for longer hours on a daily basis
- Obese people having a BMI over 35
- Children, up to 12 years of age
- Elder above the age of 65
How To Protect Oneself From Influenza/Seasonal Flu?
The flu vaccine is a proactive protective measure against seasonal influenza and minimizes the health damages arising from the infections. The nature, characteristics, and behavior of flu vaccines change every year as the virus develops new strains. So, the flu vaccine which was available last year may not be effective this year. Flu vaccines are developed to create antibodies to fight the flu virus in the human body. It takes 8 to 10 days for the vaccine to create antibodies, hence this needs to be taken ahead in advance before flu season.
Type Of Influenza Vaccines
Non-Replicating Viral Vector
These are immunogens that are usually used to induce pathogen-specific host immune responses. Some of the common types of non-replication viral vector vaccines are:
Other Vaccines
How Safe Are Flu Vaccines?
Most people assume that flu vaccines aren’t safe but as a matter of fact flu vaccines are safe for most people. But it is advised to observe the symptoms and change in health condition for 48 hours after vaccination. Some people may observe low-grade fever, swollen areas around the area of injection, and headache, as a result of your body starting to create the antibodies to fight the flu.
Measures to Protect Yourself From Flu
- Stay at distance with people who show symptoms of flu
- If you have developed flu symptoms, confine yourself to home and take a rest
- Wear Face Masks
- Stay in a hygienic environment
- Try not to touch your nose, mouth, and eyes, as well as avoid touching things that are often publicly used like lift buttons, doorknobs, etc.
- Wash your hands repeatedly with soap and sanitize using an alcohol-based sanitizer
Getting Flu shots is necessary to protect oneself from the complications of seasonal flu or influenza. It will not only save your life but also for others in your surrounding. To conduct Influenza vaccinations for your employees at the workplace, contact Avyukth healthcare.
