According to the State Institution "Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine", about 6 million infectious diseases are registered in Ukraine every year, 981% of which are influenza and acute respiratory viral infections. In the last epidemic season, 82 deaths due to influenza were recorded in our country. None of these patients was vaccinated against influenza.
Influenza is a highly contagious viral disease with the potential for severe complications and a risk of death. Epidemic outbreaks occur during the cold season.
Symptoms of influenza, unlike a cold, usually appear suddenly and are accompanied by a significant increase in body temperature to 39°C, pain in muscles and joints, and a feeling of general weakness. Usually a person can know exactly the time when he felt sick. Remember: influenza is dangerous with its complications (infectious-toxic shock, meningitis, viral pneumonia, etc.).
How to prevent flu infection:
- avoid contact with people who have symptoms of influenza infection;
- limit visits to crowded places;
- ventilate the room often;
- wash your hands often with soap;
- do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands;
- avoid hugs, kisses and handshakes;
- cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing with a disposable tissue, which should be thrown away immediately after use;
- If a person has flu symptoms, you must stay at least two meters away from them.
Annual vaccination is the most reliable method of preventing influenza and preventing serious complications in patients. One vaccination protects against the most common and dangerous strains throughout the flu season.
It is advisable to get vaccinated before the flu virus begins to circulate (in September-October) so that immunity and a sufficient number of protective antibodies are formed. This takes about two weeks. But if you did not have time to do this before the start of the epidemic season, there are no prohibitions on vaccination during the epidemic season. The main thing is the timing of vaccination and not to contact a person with influenza and SARS for two weeks.
Vaccinations are primarily recommended for people from risk groups: military personnel, construction workers, national police officers, medical workers, children from six months of age, people with chronic diseases of the lungs, cardiovascular system, kidneys, metabolism, the elderly, and pregnant women.
There is no alternative to vaccination. Treating a patient with influenza is expensive and lengthy, given the risks of complications.
Remember that the best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get vaccinated annually. You can get vaccinated against the flu not only at the beginning, but throughout the entire season!
Vaccines
Influenza vaccines are available in pharmacies: "Vaxigrip Tetra" (manufactured by "Sanofi Pasteur", France); "Gisi Flu Quadrivalent" (Gisi Biopharma Corp., South Korea).
Flu vaccination is a recommended vaccination and is not included in the national vaccination calendar, so the vaccine can be purchased with money from local budgets, enterprises, or at citizens' own expense. The approximate cost of vaccines is from 350 UAH.
The vaccines "Vaxigrip Tetra" and "Gisi Flu Quadrivalent" can be used to vaccinate children from six months of age.
Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing influenza and preventing severe complications of this disease.
One vaccination protects against the most common and dangerous strains throughout the entire flu season.
At the first symptoms, consult a doctor and do not self-medicate.
Chuguyiv branch of the State Institution "Kharkiv Central Regional Center for the Prevention of Diseases of the Ministry of Health"«