I THINK IT WOULD BE MORE CORRECT TO START WITH THE FLU AND HOW IT IS TRANSMITTED…
Influenza is a highly contagious disease that can be fatal in risky people, caused by a virus called influenza, which is usually seen in the winter months. Influenza, which can be transmitted by sneezing or coughing of sick or carrier persons, can be transmitted through contact with places such as telephones, door handles, as well as factors such as shaking hands and kissing. Places used collectively such as schools, nurseries, hospitals, workplaces, public transportation vehicles are very risky places for the flu to be transmitted.
WHAT SYMPTOMS DOES IT TREAT AND WHAT IS THE TREATMENT…
This disease, which can pass with mild symptoms such as weakness, mild fever, dry cough lasting 2-3 days, in some patients, extreme weakness, high fever that can reach 40 degrees. It may also present with severe symptoms such as prolonged coughing, severe muscle and joint pain, especially headache. As it can be understood from the saying that if it is treated, it will pass in 7 days if it is not treated in a week, the flu usually goes away on its own without the use of medication. However, in patients with severe flu, drugs such as antipyretics and pain relievers can be used for symptoms such as high fever, widespread muscle and joint pain caused by the disease. Antibiotic treatment is not appropriate because the flu is not a bacterial disease but a viral cause. In cases with severe symptoms, bed rest and taking plenty of fluids are an absolute necessity. The importance of the flu vaccine, which is a method of protection, becomes apparent because there is no effective treatment for the flu, which can turn into deadly diseases such as laryngitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, otitis media, pneumonia and meningitis in cases where attention is not paid and in risky people.
WHAT IS THE EFFICIENCY OF THE FLU VACCINE AND WHEN TO GET THE VACCINE…
After the vaccine is administered, which is made from the inactivated influenza viruses that cause the flu or the antigens of this virus, substances that recognize this virus in the body, called antibodies to this virus or its antigens occurs. After vaccination, when the body encounters the active virus that can cause the flu, these antibodies, which are formed as a result of vaccination, recognize these active viruses and prevent the flu from occurring or provide a much milder course of the flu with a much more effective fight. It takes 2-3 weeks for the vaccine to show its effectiveness. Therefore, the flu vaccine should be given 2-3 weeks before outbreaks occur. Autumn months such as September, October, and November are considered the most suitable time period for vaccination.
HOW MANY DOSES OF FLU VACCINE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO WHOM…
The effect of a single dose vaccine in autumn starts 2-3 weeks later and lasts for 6-12 months. Since the influenza type that causes the epidemic is different every year, the protection of the vaccine made in the previous year will not be available next year. For this reason, the vaccine should be re-administered every year in September, October, and November. Especially for people over 65 years old staying in nursing homes; people with chronic diseases such as heart, lung, liver, kidney, diabetes, rheumatism; people with a weakened immune system who have cancer, organ or bone marrow transplants; pregnant women, nursing mothers and children over 6 months after the first three months; Influenza vaccination is recommended for people who are likely to come into contact with sick people, such as doctors, nurses, health officers, medical secretaries.
