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All you need to know about the flu in the 2016-2017 season - a detailed guide with pictures and answers to all questions.
Since the topic of influenza is very topical and always relevant in anticipation of the autumn-winter season, I have collected all the information that can help you in the prevention and treatment of this disease. Moreover, I am writing this at the beginning of October, while no one is even thinking about the flu. However, as practice shows, it is worth thinking right now. Remember what happens in the midst of the "season"! What passions and horrors boil on the Internet, on numerous forums and Facebook. What are the queues in clinics and pharmacies! Probably, there is not a single medical "horror story" that would not be inflated so much and terribly, and, admittedly, for the cause. So it is better to arm yourself with knowledge in advance and be fully equipped when the time comes. And it's better to do it today. Right now.
Placebo interventions in both sets of trials may contain active substances. Time to first relief of symptoms. This represents a reduction in time to first symptom relief of 7 to 3 days. There was no effect in children with asthma, but it was great in healthy children. Zanamivir reduced the time to first symptom relief in adults by 60 days, equating to a reduction in mean symptom duration from 6 to 0 days. The effect in children was not significant. In a subgroup analysis, we found no evidence of a difference in treatment effect for zanamivir during first symptom relief in adults in the influenza-infected versus non-influenza subgroups.
What is flu. The science
Influenza (French grippe, from German grippen - “grab”, “sharply squeeze”)- an acute infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus. Included in the group of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI). Periodically spreads in the form of epidemics and pandemics. Currently, more than 2000 variants of the influenza virus have been identified, differing in their antigenic spectrum. According to WHO estimates, from 250 to 500 thousand people die every year from all variants of the virus during seasonal epidemics in the world (most of them are over 65 years old), in some years the number of deaths can reach a million.
Hospitalizations. Treatment of adults with oseltamivir had no significant effect on hospitalization: a 15% difference in risks. There was also no significant effect in children or in prevention. Hospitalization data for Zanamivir were not reported. Serious flu complications or those leading to withdrawal. In adult studies, oseltamivir did not significantly reduce these complications, classified as serious, or those that led to study withdrawal, as well as treatment trials in children; there was also no zanamivir in adult treatment or prophylaxis.
Often, the word "flu" in everyday life is also used to refer to any acute respiratory disease (ARVI), which is erroneous, since in addition to influenza, more than 200 types of other respiratory viruses (adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, etc.) have been described to date, causing influenza-like illness in humans.
To prevent influenza, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccinating all persons older than 6 months (especially those at risk), using personal protective equipment, reducing contact with sick people, using antiviral drugs by doctor's prescription.
There were insufficient events to compare this outcome for oseltamivir in prophylaxis or zanamivir in pediatric treatment. Pneumonia. Oseltamivir significantly reduced investigator-mediated self-reported, untested pneumonia; Number required for treatment in favor = 100 in the treated population. The effect was not significant in the five trials that used a more detailed diagnostic form for pneumonia. There were no definitions of pneumonia in any trial. No studies of oseltamivir treatment have reported an effect on radiologically confirmed pneumonia.
In many European languages, influenza is called "influenza" (Italian influenza - "impact"), a name that originated in Rome in the mid-18th century due to the potential virulence of the infection, as if affecting a healthy population.
Micrograph of influenza virus taken with a transmission electron microscope magnifying about 100,000 times:
Fundamentals of symptomatic therapy in adults
There was no significant effect on untested pneumonia in children. There was no significant effect of zanamivir on self-reported or radiologically confirmed pneumonia. The proportion of participants with a four-fold increase in antibody titers was significantly lower in the treatment group compared to the control group. There was a significantly lower proportion of children on oseltamivir with a four-fold increase in antibody counts.
Non-influenza influenza-like illness cannot be assessed due to incomplete reporting of data. Oseltamivir and zanamivir have a small, non-specific effect on shortening the time to relieve influenza symptoms in adults, but not in asthmatic children. The use of any drug as a prophylaxis reduces the risk of developing symptomatic influenza. Treatment studies with oseltamivir or zanamivir do not address the issue of reducing influenza complications due to the lack of diagnostic definitions.
Photo Credit: Cynthia Goldsmith Content Providers(s): CDC/ Dr. Terrence Tumpey
The family of orthomyxoviruses (Greek orthos - correct, carcass - mucus) includes influenza viruses of types A, B, C, which, like paramyxoviruses, have an affinity for mucin. Influenza A viruses infect humans and some animal species (horses, pigs, etc.) and birds. Influenza viruses types B and C are pathogenic only for humans. The first human influenza virus was isolated from humans in 1933 by W. Smith, C. Andrews, and P. Laidow (WS strain) by infecting white ferrets. Later, this virus was assigned to type A. In 1940, T. Francis and T. Medzhill discovered the type B influenza virus, and in 1949 R. Taylor discovered the type C influenza virus. with their antigenic variability.
The use of oseltamivir increases the risk of adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, psychiatric effects and renal events in adults and vomiting in children. The lower bioavailability may explain the lower toxicity of zanamivir compared to oseltamivir. The mechanism of action of the influenza virus proposed by the manufacturers does not correspond to clinical indications.
Link. Although neuraminidase inhibitors are available through the Brazilian public health system, indications for their use by infectious disease specialists, geriatricians, otolaryngologists, and pulmonologists are still very limited. This was due to the lack of awareness of the availability of the drug, its mode of action and, especially, the late diagnosis of influenza among Brazilian patients, which reduces the effectiveness of the drug.
Influenza viruses are divided into three types A, B and C. Type A includes several subtypes that differ from each other in their antigens - hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. According to the WHO classification (1980), human and animal influenza viruses of type A are divided into 13 antigenic subtypes for hemagglutinin (H1-H13) and 10 for neuraminidase (N1-N10). Of these, human influenza type A viruses include three hemagglutinins (HI, H2 and H3) and two neuraminidase (N1 and N2). in type A virus, the subtype of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase is indicated in brackets. For example, influenza A virus: Khabarovsk/90/77 (H1N1).
With regard to the review presented above, one can see a number of sources of bias that hinder the analysis of its findings. Some of them are described below to illustrate the difficulty of interpreting the results. The first of these is the difference in the number of participants between the groups that used oseltamivir and zanamivir, so that in last group there were almost twice as many patients. It should also be emphasized that zanamivir is not available in Brazil and that it is used much more in countries East Asia such as Japan.
Another important source of bias to point out when analyzing the use of these inhibitors for both prophylaxis and treatment is the known methodological differences known to exist with the use of these drugs such that diagnostic criteria are rarely met. Indications for treatment must be made within the first 48 hours, but this is rarely the case. The abstract presented here does not contain any mention of how and when the drug was first introduced.
Structure and chemical composition
The influenza virus has a spherical shape, with a diameter of 80-120 nm. Filamentous forms are less common. The helical nucleocapsid is a double helix ribonucleoprotein (RNP) strand that forms the core of the virion. RNA polymerase and endonucleases (P1 and P3) are associated with it. The core is surrounded by a membrane consisting of protein M, which connects the RNP to the lipid bilayer of the outer shell and the styloid processes, consisting of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. Virions contain about 1% RNA, 70% protein, 24% lipids and 5% carbohydrates. Lipids and carbohydrates are part of the lipoproteins and glycoproteins of the outer shell and are of cellular origin. The virus genome is represented by a minus-strand fragmented RNA molecule. Influenza viruses types A and B have 8 RNA fragments Of which 5 encode one protein each, and the last 3 encode two proteins each.
There is also a significant difference in assessments of the effectiveness of drugs between situations in which the presence of the disease is confirmed by laboratory tests or only by clinical criteria. The abstract presented does not provide any information in this regard. From the data presented and the format in which the data was analyzed, it cannot be said with certainty that the findings presented correctly represent the efficacy of these drugs for the prevention and treatment of influenza.
Symptoms in healthy people. Fever: In most adults, influenza causes higher temperatures for 3-5 days, and general cold causes low-level fevers. Most healthy adults diagnosed with influenza have an abrupt onset of a fever above 0 degrees F, along with one of the following symptoms. Muscle pain is more pronounced with the flu than with a cold and improves within 3-5 days. Cough: Dryness of the cough, sometimes "severe for 3-5 days", often occurs with the flu.
Why is the flu more common in winter than in summer?
Scientists still do not have a consensus that would explain why this happens. But there are several theories.
According to one theory, main reason is that in winter time people spend more time indoors with closed windows, breathing the same air.
Before taking any medication, it is important to read the package label for the active ingredients. Some medications should be avoided by people with certain medical conditions, drug allergies, or taking medications that can cause unwanted drug interactions. Check with your pharmacist or health care provider if you are unsure about the appropriate treatment.
Learning Strains: Pork and Hong Kong
Avoid "everything but kitchen sink", With several medicines because many contain unnecessary drugs that cause unwanted side effects. It is best to only take medications that will relieve your predominant respiratory symptoms. Antibiotics will not hasten the resolution of acute cold symptoms.
Other scientists argue that darkness (i.e. lack of vitamin D and melanin) and cold in winter can weaken our immune systems and make us more susceptible to the virus.
Admirers of the third theory believe that dry cold air winter is the main reason for the spread of the influenza virus. For this reason, influenza epidemics do not occur in the summer when the air is warm and humid. By the way, the humidity in the room today can be easily controlled. To take care of yourself and your loved ones, get a humidifier.
Control your temperature: Fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit can be hallmark flu, as well as an indicator for determining when to seek medical attention for complications of a respiratory infection. If you do not have a thermometer, it is recommended that you obtain one to monitor your illness.
Analgesics may be used to control fever, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat. These include: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. The use of aspirin should be avoided in children and adolescents if influenza is suspected.
There is even a theory that in winter the flu starts after changes in the air circulation in the upper atmosphere.
In mid-September, the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Veronika Skvortsova announced that the peak incidence of influenza in Russia would be in January-February 2017, while active cases of the disease would begin to appear in November.
Decongestants are chemically related to adrenaline and can cause side effects that include increased heart rate, nervousness, insomnia, and loss of appetite. Pseudoephedrine is the most effective oral decongestant for adults. Since nasal congestion may occur with this agent, multi-day use should be limited to or less than 3 days, 6 if used only at night.
Nasal Drainage: To properly clear nasal secretions, one nostril should be carefully blasted at the time. For tenacious secretions, nasal decongestants can be used to reduce blockages and salinity can be instilled into the nasal passages for thin mucus, making them easier to clear with a slight puff. Nasal blowing strongly transports air, mucus, and bacteria into the sinuses; this can worsen sinus pressure and potentially increase the risk of a secondary bacterial infection.
“According to all forecasts, the peak will be in January-February of next year, but active cases will begin to appear from November. That is why we started the vaccination campaign in August. Thanks to the fact that we managed to reduce the prices of our domestic vaccines, we were able to increase the coverage of our citizens who can be vaccinated by 8 million people compared to last year, we will reach a figure of about 48 million people,” Skvortsova told reporters.
Existents help loosen thick secretions and facilitate drainage from sinuses and chests. Water is an effective expectorant. It is important to consult with your doctor and pharmacist about the appropriateness of taking certain agents. The elevated histamine levels seen in allergic conditions are not present in most viral respiratory infections, so the benefits of 1st generation antihistamines are largely due to their anticholinergic properties.
First generation antihistamines include carbinoxamine, diphenhydramine, tripelennamine, chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine, and clemastine. Benefits include: reduction of cough caused by postnasal drainage, reduction of sneezing, reduction of runny nose in patients with cold. They are not effective in treating nasal congestion, sinus pressure, sore throat, headache, or sickness from infections. Sedation is a common side effect and should be used in bed and avoided in activities that require mental alertness. 2nd generation antihistamines do not have anticholinergic properties and have no proven benefit in relieving cold and flu symptoms.
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The simplest guide to protecting yourself from the flu
Remember the most important thing: the tactics of your actions are completely independent of the name of the virus. This flu is seasonal, swine, elephant, pandemic, it's not flu at all - it doesn't matter. The only important thing is that it is a virus, that it is transmitted by airborne droplets and that it affects the respiratory system.
When should I seek medical help?
In most cases, healthy adults who experience flu-like symptoms do not need to be tested for influenza or treated with antiviral drugs. Chronic illness lungs. conditions of immunosuppression. Immunosuppressants. heart disease pregnancy Diabetes Chronic neurological conditions. Children under 5 years old.
Immediate medical attention is needed for adults with flu-like symptoms who. Immediate medical attention is needed for children. Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing Bluish or gray skin color Not drinking enough fluids Severe or persistent vomiting Do not wake up or interact Be so irritable that the child does not want to be restrained. Flu symptoms improve but then return with fever and worsening cough.
Prevention
If you (your child) are exposed to the virus and you do not have protective antibodies in your blood, you will get sick. Antibodies will appear in one of two cases: either you get sick or you get vaccinated. By getting vaccinated, you protect yourself not from viruses in general, but only from the flu virus.
If you have the opportunity to get vaccinated (vaccinate a child) and were able to get a vaccine, get vaccinated, but on the condition that you don’t have to sit in a snotty crowd in a clinic for vaccination. Available vaccines protect against all influenza virus variants that are relevant this year
No drugs and folk remedies» with proven preventive efficacy does not exist. That is, no onion, no garlic, no vodka, and no pills you swallow or put into a child can protect against any respiratory virus in general, nor from the flu virus in particular. Everything you kill yourself for in pharmacies, all these supposedly antiviral drugs, supposedly interferon stimulants, immunity stimulants and terribly useful vitamins- all these are drugs with unproven effectiveness, drugs that satisfy the main mental need of the Russian - "something must be done."The main benefit of all these drugs is psychotherapy. You believe, it helps you - I'm happy for you, just don't storm the pharmacies - it's not worth it.
The source of the virus is man and only man. The fewer people, the less chance of getting sick. Walk a stop on foot, do not go to the supermarket once again - wisely!
The patient's hands are a source of the virus no less significant than the mouth and nose. The patient touches his face, the virus gets on his hands, the patient grabs everything around, you touch it all with your hand - hello SARS.
Symptoms of colds, SARS and flu
Don't touch your face. Wash your hands, often, a lot, always carry wet disinfectant sanitary napkins with you, wash, rub, do not be lazy!
Learn for yourself and teach your children, if you don’t have a handkerchief, to cough and sneeze not into your palm, but into your elbow.
Chiefs! By an official order, introduce a ban on handshakes in your subordinate teams.
Use credit cards. Paper money is the source of the spread of viruses.
Air!!! Viral particles remain active for hours in dry, warm and still air, but are destroyed almost instantly in cool, humid and moving air. You can play as much as you like. It is almost impossible to pick up a virus while walking. In this aspect, if you have already gone out for a walk, then there is no need for ostentatious walking in a mask through the streets. Better get some fresh air.
The optimal parameters of the air in the room are a temperature of about 20 ° C, humidity 50-70%.
Be sure to frequent and intensive cross-ventilation of the premises. Any heating system dries the air. Wash the floor. Turn on humidifiers. Urgently demand humidification of the air and ventilation of rooms in children's groups.
It is better to dress warmly, but do not turn on additional heaters.
The condition of the mucous membranes!!! In the upper respiratory tract mucus is constantly formed. Mucus ensures the functioning of the so-called. local immunity - protection of mucous membranes. If the mucus and mucous membranes dry up, the work of local immunity is disrupted, viruses, respectively, easily overcome the protective barrier of weakened local immunity, and a person becomes ill upon contact with the virus with a much greater degree of probability. The main enemy of local immunity is dry air, as well as drugs that can dry out the mucous membranes. Since you don’t know what these drugs are (and these are some anti-allergic and almost all the so-called “combined cold remedies”), it’s better not to experiment in principle.
Moisturize your mucous membranes! Elementary: 1 teaspoon of ordinary table salt per 1 liter of boiled water. Pour into any spray bottle (for example, from under vasoconstrictor drops) and regularly spray into the nose (the drier, the more people around - the more often, at least every 10 minutes). For the same purpose, you can buy a saline solution at a pharmacy or ready-made saline solutions for injection into the nasal passages - salin, aqua maris, humer, marimer, nosol, etc. The main thing is do not be sorry! Drip, puff, especially when you go from home (from a dry room) to where there are a lot of people, especially if you are sitting in the corridor of the clinic. Rinse your mouth regularly with the above saline solution. That's all for prevention.
Treatment
The first vaccination against the virus was developed in the early 1940s and tested on soldiers who fought in World War II. Until recently, treatment was usually symptomatic, in the form of antipyretics, expectorants, and antitussives, as well as vitamins, especially vitamin C. in large doses. The CDC advises patients to rest, drink enough fluids, and avoid smoking and alcohol. Uncomplicated influenza is not treated with antibiotics because antibiotics only treat bacterial infections (which influenza does not include).
In fact, the only drug that can destroy the influenza virus is oseltamivir, the commercial name is Tamiflu. Theoretically, there is another drug (zanamivir), but it is used only by inhalation, and there is little chance of seeing it in our country.
Tamiflu actually destroys the virus by blocking the protein neuraminidase (the same N in the name H1N1). Tamiflu is not eaten all in a row with any sneeze. It's not cheap and side effects a lot and doesn't make any sense. Tamiflu is used when the disease is severe (doctors know the signs of a severe ARVI), or when a person at risk even falls ill easily - the elderly, asthmatics, diabetics (doctors also know who are at risk). The bottom line: if Tamiflu is indicated, then at least a doctor's supervision is indicated and, as a rule, hospitalization.
It is not surprising that, with the maximum possible probability, Tamiflu entering our country will be distributed to hospitals, and not to pharmacies (although everything can be).
Efficacy in ARVI and other influenza antiviral agents highly questionable (this is the most diplomatic definition available).
Treatment of SARS in general and influenza in particular is not swallowing pills! This is the creation of such conditions that the body can easily cope with the virus.
Treatment rules.
1. Dress warmly, but the room is cool and humid. Temperature 18-20 °C (better 16 than 22), humidity 50-70% (better 80 than 30). Wash floors, moisten, ventilate.
3. Drink (to drink). Drink (to drink). Drink (drink)!!! The temperature of the liquid is equal to the temperature of the body. Drink a lot. Compotes, fruit drinks, tea (finely chop an apple into tea), decoctions of raisins, dried apricots. If a child sorts out - it will be, but this is not - let him drink anything, as long as he drinks. Ideal for drinking - ready-made solutions for oral rehydration. They are sold in pharmacies and should be there: rehydron, human electrolyte, gastrolith, normohydron, etc. Buy, dilute according to the instructions, drink.
4. In the nose often saline solutions.
5. All "distracting procedures" (jars, mustard plasters, smearing the fat of unfortunate animals on the body - goats, badgers, etc.) - classic soviet sadism and, again, psychotherapy (something must be done). Soaring children's legs (topping up boiling water in a basin), doing steam inhalations over a kettle or saucepan, rubbing children with alcohol-containing liquids is insane parental banditry.
6. If you decide to deal with high fever - only paracetamol or ibuprofen. Aspirin is strictly prohibited.
The main trouble is that it is warm to dress, moisturize, ventilate, not to shove food and drink - this is called “do not treat” in our language, and “treat” is to send dad to the pharmacy ...
7. If the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, larynx) is affected, no expectorants are needed - they will only increase the cough. Damage to the lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, pneumonia) has nothing to do with self-treatment at all. Medicines that suppress cough (the instructions say “antitussive action”) cannot be categorically “!!!
8. Antiallergic drugs have nothing to do with the treatment of SARS.
9. Viral infections are not treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics do not reduce, but increase the risk of complications.
10. All topical and oral interferons are medicines with unproven efficacy or "drugs" with proven ineffectiveness.
When you need a doctor.
Is always!!! But this is unrealistic. Therefore, we list the situations when a doctor is needed:
• lack of improvement on the fourth day of illness;
• elevated body temperature on the seventh day of illness;
• deterioration after improvement;
• pronounced severity of the condition with moderate symptoms of SARS;
• appearance in isolation or in combination: pallor of the skin; thirst, shortness of breath, intense pain, purulent discharge;
• strengthening of cough, decrease in its efficiency; a deep breath leads to a fit of coughing;
• paracetamol and ibuprofen do not help, practically do not help, or help for a very short time with an increase in body temperature.
A doctor is required and urgently needed if:
• loss of consciousness;
• convulsions;
• signs of respiratory failure (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, feeling short of breath);
• intense pain anywhere;
• even moderate sore throat in the absence of a runny nose (sore throat + dry nose is often a symptom of a sore throat that requires a doctor and an antibiotic);
• even moderate headache in combination with vomiting;
• swelling of the neck;
• a rash that does not go away with pressure;
• body temperature above 39 ° C, which does not begin to decrease 30 minutes after the use of antipyretics;
• any increase in body temperature in combination with chills and pallor of the skin.
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Sofa "experts" do not get tired of repeating that medical masks are useless and do not protect you from any virus. I wanted to comment on this. Because this is complete nonsense. Everyone stay where you are and take off your masks. Read why.
A medical mask on your face really does not give you a hundred percent guarantee of protection against the virus. But, sorry, and a condom does not give 100% security, however ... You should not neglect the means of protection. And a mask is needed in the cold season. Especially if you are already sick. After all, none of those around you are obliged to share a place with you “on the bench” and grab the viruses that you sneeze and cough up, squeezing into the tram in the morning.
But here's what's important to remember. The medical mask is not an accessory. This is your protection and the protection of others. Therefore, you need to wear it correctly:
Store it in sterile packaging.
Wear tightly so that there are no "holes" between the face and the mask.
Change every 2 hours
Throw it out so that no one will meet with her. IMPORTANT! It does not need to be washed later (these are not bags for you!), Hang out to dry and put on again. And they do that too.
In general, wash your hands often. The fact that "cleanliness is the guarantee of health" - some other cartoon character said. And he was right. Microbes are not only in the air, they are on surfaces. So hygiene is your protection. But not the main one. The main one is vaccination. After all, we do not live in the Middle Ages, friends. It is time to get used to every fall to be vaccinated against influenza and any infection. They help Teraflu or Arbidol better, and they are also free. All you have to do is walk to the clinic.
If you still get sick, it is important to immediately try to determine by the symptoms that you have: a cold, flu or SARS. It is also necessary to call a doctor, but not always.
Influenza in Belarus: features of the last season 2015/2016
Let's first recall what happened last season 2015/2016.
Influenza H1N1, as of February 1, 2016, was detected in about 40 people, no deaths were recorded, said BelaPAN chief epidemiologist of the Ministry of Health Inna Karaban.
According to her, all those who isolated this virus were not vaccinated against the flu.
Doctors assess the situation with the spread of influenza as calm, the specialist noted, and explain this primarily by the high proportion of Belarusians who have been vaccinated - about 40%. The more vaccinated, Karaban emphasized, the stronger herd immunity, thanks to which unvaccinated people do not get sick.
According to the Ministry of Health, about 60 thousand cases of acute respiratory infections are registered weekly in the control regional cities. viral infections which is within the normal range for this time of year.
In a week, the incidence of influenza and SARS in Belarus will decline, the ministry predicts.
Meanwhile, the media report that in Ukraine, as of January 29, 2016, 155 influenza-related deaths were officially confirmed, in Russia - 126. At least two foci of the so-called swine flu were registered in Poland.
Features of influenza infection of the last season 2015-2016
That is, the conclusion is simple - everyone who got sick was not vaccinated.
Vaccination Information
Why is annual vaccination necessary?
Immunity after vaccination lasts 6-8 months. Variants of influenza viruses that cause annual epidemics change every year, so you need to be vaccinated before each epidemic season. The composition of influenza vaccines of the same name is different every year and corresponds to the composition of the viruses that cause the epidemic. For northern hemisphere the prediction of the most commonly circulating influenza virus variants is always accurate because the same influenza viruses circulate and cause disease in the southern hemisphere before then begin to appear in the northern hemisphere. This season, the composition of influenza vaccines contains antigens (parts of influenza viruses) of the following options:
A/California/7/2009/,NYMC X-179A, derived from
A/California/7/2009/ H1N1/ pdm 2009;
A/South Australia/55/2014, IVR-175, derived from
A/Switzerland/9715293/2013(H3N2);
B/Phuket/3073/2013.
For vaccination, split vaccines, subunit and live vaccines are used.
In the 2016/2017 season in Belarus, preventive vaccinations will be carried out with the following vaccines: Grippol Plus (Russia), Influvac (Netherlands), Vaxigrip (France).
Live vaccines include vaccine strains of the influenza virus, specially grown in the laboratory, which do not cause disease, but form immunity. Split and subunit vaccines do not contain live viruses, but only parts of the virus by which the immune system recognizes the influenza virus.
|
The name of the flu vaccine |
Manufacturer country |
Type of vaccine |
Method of administration |
Indications for use |
| "Grippol Plus" | Russia | Intramuscular injection | Used for free and paid vaccinations. Can be used from 6 months of age | |
| "Vaxigrip" | France | Inactivated split vaccine | Intramuscular injection | Vaccination is paid. Can be used from 6 months of age |
| "Influvak" | Netherlands | Inactivated subunit vaccine | Intramuscular injection | Vaccination is paid. Can be used from 6 months of age |
What is the best flu vaccine?
In terms of efficiency, quality and safety, all vaccines are equally good, because the requirements for the quality of influenza vaccines in the state are the same for all candidate vaccines participating in the vaccination campaign.
Only those vaccines that meet the quality and safety requirements are allowed to be vaccinated, otherwise the vaccine is not allowed to be used. In Belarus, the attitude towards vaccines is very serious on the part of the state - they are subject to the same requirements as for other medicines. All vaccines used during the vaccination campaign in the Republic of Belarus undergo mandatory registration, during which an examination is carried out for compliance with quality and safety criteria. Exactly the same check is carried out during the input control of each batch of vaccine entering the country before using it with the population. The concept of "vaccine for free and paid vaccination" does not exist in quality control. All vaccines are subject to the same quality and safety requirements. For free vaccination, vaccines are selected that win the competition for the optimal price-quality ratio. With equal quality characteristics, those vaccines that have the lowest cost are selected.
The question is often asked which is better Waxigrip (France) or "Influvak" (Netherlands). What is more efficient and with less side effects?
To date, both vaccines are considered the most common flu vaccines for children and adults. Both drugs give the same result. However, parents do not stop terrorizing pharmacists and family doctors to advise which of the two vaccines - Vaxigripp or Influvac - will be better. The fact is that both drugs are almost indistinguishable from each other. Indications for use, form of release and even their composition is similar. But here in such a point as side effects, there is a difference. So, the means "Influvak" has much larger list possible negative manifestations, while in the case of the drug "Vaxigripp" this list is much shorter. If we consider the cost of these vaccines, then there is also something to cling to. The drug "Influvac" is somewhat more expensive than its competitor. Therefore, if you choose from these two criteria, then you should make a choice in favor of the Vaxigripp tool. The price is lower, and there are fewer side effects. But it's still better to find out what people think about these two vaccines, and based on their responses, decide for yourself what to choose.
The drug "Influvac": reviews
Internet users write mostly only positive opinions about this tool. So, those patients who were vaccinated with this drug note that the injection itself is painless, because the needle in the syringe is very thin. It is also rare that anyone notes that after vaccination with this remedy, problems arose. People, on the contrary, praise the Influvac drug for the fact that it almost never causes unwanted reactions in the body. Also, women and men choose this particular vaccine, because it is imported, which means that it is better purified than domestic.
In addition, the composition of the drug is improved every year, because new strains of influenza appear, so the developed immunity may not work. There are, however, negative responses from people. The first thing parents pay attention to is that Influvac is sold in a standard dosage. That is, it turns out that syringes are the same for both adults and children. This is very inconvenient, because if you make a vaccine for children, then the excess amount of the drug must be drained. It turns out that it is inefficiently spent.
There are also people who note that after vaccination with Influvac, their health has deteriorated greatly. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to inject only when the person is completely healthy. That is, no colds he shouldn't have. And if a person listens to the doctor and follows all his recommendations regarding vaccination, then the Influvac drug will receive only positive reviews. As for the cost of this tool, people note that its price is quite adequate, and it suits many. The drug "Vaxigripp": reviews This vaccine has positive feedback from patients. Some get an injection with this drug for free, others buy it at their own expense. However, both those and others note the effectiveness of this vaccine: during the year, people do not get the flu. True, there are exceptions when a person nevertheless catches this virus, but the disease proceeds much easier. Also, people note that although the drug "Vaxigripp" is not the best of the existing ones, it is affordable. And this is an important factor. After all, often all family members have to be vaccinated, and this can hit the family budget hard.
Therefore, people choose a cheaper remedy - Vaxigripp.
Influenza - belongs to the category of acute viral diseases, which extends to the upper respiratory tract: nasopharynx, larynx and trachea. 27 million people in Russia fall ill with influenza and half a million of them die (statistics for 1 year). Every 5th person who gets the flu has various complications.
Signs of flu in adults in 2017
Influenza is mild, moderate and severe. With a mild form of influenza in adults, the temperature rises to 38 degrees, and there are slight symptoms of intoxication. With a moderate form, the temperature reaches 39.5 degrees, intoxication of the body is very pronounced. In a severe form of influenza, body temperature reaches 39-40 degrees, a headache appears, sleep is disturbed. Usually any complications join. Influenza is also divided into several forms of the course:
Typical - there is a temperature, chills, pain in the head, throat and body ache. It takes one to two weeks. Atypical form - this form proceeds easily and even without symptoms. Lightning form - intoxication is very pronounced, plus pneumonia joins the disease, can be fatal.
The first signs of influenza in adults are expressed by the following symptoms:
1. Intoxication syndrome - appears heat, pain that radiates to muscles and joints, a person feels unwell, his head hurts, especially in the frontal lobe.
2. Broncho-pulmonary syndrome - manifested by cough and shortness of breath.
3. Dyspeptic syndrome - it suffers from diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, as well as pain in the abdomen.
4. Hemorrhagic syndrome - there is blood from the nose.
5. Catarrhal syndrome - this usually torments a runny nose, dry nose, sore throat, frequent sneezing.
The first signs of the disease in adults appear during the course of the disease, which occurs between incubation period and the disease itself. They are usually mild at first. Then there is weakness and fatigue, pain in the joints, a feeling of dryness of the mucous membrane of the nose and eyes, the fever reaches 40 degrees. Then more vivid signs come, the temperature is also kept, severe pains in the head, the patient is also tormented by pain in the throat, a runny nose appears and conjunctivitis is possible. Cough at first dry, but after two days it becomes wet. There may be diarrhea and abdominal pain. If the flu is not treated, complications are possible. If there were no complications, then the temperature is restored on the 8th day.
If the disease is severe, then a complication of the broncho-pulmonary system may occur: pulmonary edema, pneumonia, etc. Other complications fall on the heart and nervous system(meningitis), and in some cases toxic shock occurs. Due to the addition of the bacterial flora of influenza, purulent complications appear, such as bacterial pneumonia, inflammation of the kidneys - pylonephritis (over time, it can flow into chronic form), purulent otitis and meningitis, sinusitis, etc.
Then, the corresponding symptoms of the resulting disease are added to the signs of influenza in adults.
Causes of influenza in adults
Influenza has 3 types of virus - these are A B and C. Influenza A infects people, birds and animals, and virus B and C in humans. In the external environment, the influenza virus lives no more than eight hours. He is adversely affected by high temperatures, Sun rays and disinfectants. The virus does not die for a long time at low temperatures. A widespread epidemic is influenza A, with influenza B there are local (local) outbreaks, with influenza C - only one-time cases. The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets and household contact (when the virus settles in the room after the patient sneezes and coughs).
The virus multiplies in the upper respiratory tract and there it decomposes epithelial cells, then penetrates into the blood. The influenza virus is a pneumotropic virus, and it first infects lung tissue.
Influenza Diagnosis in Adults
The influenza virus is diagnosed by collecting complaints, according to the standard signs of influenza in adults, collecting tests and clarifying the anamnesis (was
or any contact with an infected person). They also conduct a series of examinations for complications that the disease could cause.
Signs of influenza in adults when examined are a white coating on the tongue, as well as on the tonsils, palate, and the patient also has redness on the back of the pharynx and the volume of follicles increases there, red cheeks. The heartbeat is rapid, wheezing is heard in the lungs, the tones of the heart are muffled.
They do a general blood test, with influenza there is a decrease in the number of white blood cells, as well as a decrease in the number of leukocytes and accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation. They also take urine, feces and biochemical blood tests.
Treatment of influenza in adults
Influenza is treated at home, the patient is hospitalized if: the disease has taken a severe form, if there are complications, when chronic diseases are exacerbated and there is a threat to life. During elevated temperature bed rest recommended. It is necessary to drink plenty of water, herbal and berry teas, a decoction of chamomile, mint, raspberries, sea buckthorn, wild rose, hawthorn., fruit drinks, compotes and just mineral water. Food should contain trace elements and vitamins. It is necessary to lower the temperature by wiping with a cold, damp towel, and a cold cloth or ice is also applied to the head.
They also take antiviral drugs, if there is a temperature, then it is knocked down with antipyretic drugs. To relieve inflammation in the throat, it is rinsed with lugol, solutions of soda, salt and iodine. Strepsils lollipops and many other pills that only a doctor can prescribe also help against inflammation in the throat. To prevent bacterial diseases, antibacterial drugs, as well as antibiotics, are used. Also prescribed for cough and runny nose medicines. Antihistamines are often used.
Influenza Prevention in Adults
A vaccine is used to prevent influenza whole year and then re-inject the vaccine. The vaccine includes the antigens of the virus and therefore cannot cause the flu itself. Taking antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs are also good for prevention.
To avoid getting the flu:
1. Wash your hands often, preferably with antibacterial soap or gel;
2. Refusal of bad habits;
3. Proper nutrition;
4. Going in for sports;
5. Fully rest and sleep;
6. Take vitamins;
7. Avoid close contact with patients;
8. Use a mask during an active epidemic;
9. After being in crowded places, use a saline solution to wash your nose.
If you find signs of flu in adults or children, then you need to isolate the person, if possible, stay at home. In this case, be sure to consult a doctor for help. The doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment.
