What is the flu? Flu Prevention.
Influenza is a sudden onset of fever above 38°C, severe muscle and joint pain, weakness, fatigue, chills, headache, caused by a virus called influenza.
It is an infectious disease that starts with symptoms such as pain and dry cough. Especially in children, elderly and heart, chronic lung, kidney and diabetes
It is much more severe in people with chronic diseases such as the disease and can lead to serious consequences that can even cause death. The flu, which causes such serious situations, can often be confused with the common cold. Cold is a disease that manifests itself with symptoms such as mild malaise, runny nose, sneezing before fever rises, and does not require bed rest because it does not cause fatigue and should never be confused with flu.
HOW IS THE FLU TRANSMITTED?
The influenza virus that causes the flu is transmitted very easily and quickly. The main ways of transmission are inhalation of droplets scattered around by coughing and sneezing by healthy people, handshaking with sick people, kissing and contact with items that have come into contact with the mouth-nose discharge of sick people.
DIAGNOSIS OF FLU DISEASE
Since the flu picture is severe, it is a disease that requires a doctor’s examination. Examination of the person by an otolaryngologist and laboratory
With the examinations, it is confirmed which of the upper respiratory tract diseases such as flu, sinusitis or tonsillitis is present. In the sample taken from the nose, influenza types A and B can be detected and the diagnosis can be confirmed.
TREATMENT OF FLU DISEASE
Unlike sinusitis and tonsillitis, antibiotics have no place in the treatment of flu. Complications caused by antibiotics, flu
is used. In the treatment of influenza, it is the use of anti-viral drugs specific to the flu and the treatment of the symptoms. lowering the fever,
Treatment is organized in the form of relieving runny nose, relieving fatigue and malaise, and bed rest is recommended. Medication use under doctor’s control
It should be because not every upper respiratory tract infection is the flu.
PROTECTION FROM THE FLU
The main way to prevent the flu is to prevent the body’s resistance from falling. For this reason, it should be worn in accordance with the seasonal characteristics, plenty of watery foods, fresh
fruits and vegetables should be consumed. Close contact with patients and the use of common items should be avoided.
WHO ARE AT RISK?
World Health Organization, TR. Various groups are defined by the Ministry of Health as risk groups in terms of the negative effects of the flu. Health authorities “absolutely” recommend that people who fall into the following group be vaccinated every year.
The ones that the flu poses a vital risk and that are recommended to be vaccinated from a medical point of view:
people over 65 years old
Diabetics (diabetes)
asthma patients
Chronic lung patients (Bronchitis etc.)
Chronic cardiovascular system patients (coronary artery patients)
People with suppressed immune system (chronic blood disease- hemoglobinopathy-
patients, cancer disease, immunosuppressive users)
People living in nursing homes, nursing homes, etc.
Some people should not get the flu vaccine. These:
Babies under 6 months
Those who are allergic to eggs in an anaphylactic style (those who go into allergic shock when they eat eggs) Women who are in the first 3 months of pregnancy (only if it is determined by the doctor that it is absolutely necessary, they can get the flu vaccine)
Influenza vaccine is developed with the coordination of the World Health Organization as a result of the determination of the virus types that made an epidemic a year ago, and the type of the vaccine is determined accordingly.
It changes every year depending on the application. The flu vaccine reaches the protective level in the body within 1-2 weeks. If the vaccine, the types of viruses it contains, can cause epidemics
It is approximately 70% effective in healthy adults if it is similar to the type of virus that is present.
In the risky group mentioned above, the rate of protection from the disease drops to 50%.
For this reason, the Influenza Vaccine is recommended only for people at risk and their contacts in our country as well as all over the world!
