Flu Prevention
Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection that is widespread everywhere and one of the most common infectious diseases. Every year, about 500 million people in the world face this disease. According to the WHO, up to 650 thousand people die from influenza every year. In our country, 27 to 41 million people are infected every year.
Usually, the onset of the flu is in September, and the peak of the disease is in the period from February to March.
According to the data of Rospotrebnadzor for the Lipetsk region, at present, there is a seasonal increase in the incidence of influenza, ARVI, and pneumonia in the region, the nature of the incidence is sporadic. For the week of 28.01. -04.02.2019 In the region, 6,643 cases of influenza and ARVI were registered (12 of them influenza), the incidence rates are below the epidemic threshold level both among the total population and in all age groups.
Influenza is transmitted from person to person by airborne droplets, as well as by household means. For infection, 0.0001 ml of nasopharyngeal secretions is enough – this is a microscopic droplet, almost invisible in size. The influenza virus is quite stable in the external environment, retains its virulence (i.e., the possibility of infection) for several hours. For example, the virus remains in the air for up to 9 hours, on fabric - up to 12 hours, on plastic-up to 2 days.
Everyone can get the flu, but most often it is children, especially children under 6 years of age. The risk group also includes pregnant women, people over 60 years of age, people of any age with chronic diseases (bronchial asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, tumors, HIV infection, etc.).
An important feature of influenza viruses is their ability to change: almost every year, new variants of viruses appear.
Since the chances of catching the flu are high, everyone should know the typical signs of the flu and prevention measures.
Typical clinical manifestations of influenza:
- sudden acute onset of the disease. In the morning you feel good, and after a few hours a sharp increase in body temperature to 38-390C, chills, headache, muscle pain, general weakness, cough, clear discharge from the nose.
The disease can occur easily, but severe forms of the course can be observed up to fatal outcomes.
At the beginning of the disease, there is usually no severe runny nose with copious discharge, no sore throat, or cough. But, the causative agents of influenza-viruses of types A and B, are characterized by aggressiveness, a high rate of reproduction and, within a few hours after infection, the influenza virus leads to deep lesions of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, opening up opportunities for the penetration of bacteria into it and the occurrence of complications: pneumonia, bronchitis, otitis, rhinitis, tracheitis, myocarditis, pericarditis, meningitis, meningoencephalitis, encephalitis, neuralgia. Most often, pneumonia is the cause of most deaths from the flu. Influenza is often accompanied by an exacerbation of existing chronic diseases.
Flu prevention.
The most reliable way to avoid the disease is to get vaccinated in a timely manner. Modern influenza vaccines are effective and safe, containing current circulating strains of influenza viruses.
Vaccination is recommended for all population groups, but is especially indicated for populations at risk: children starting from 6 months, elderly people suffering from chronic diseases, medical workers, teachers, students, service workers, transport workers. Vaccination is carried out annually in September – November.
Since the rise in the incidence of influenza, you need to take some precautions:
- avoid contact with persons showing signs of the disease;
- reduce the time spent in crowded places and on public transport, and if this is not possible, wear a medical mask;
- wash your hands as often as possible with soap or wipe them with a skin antiseptic to treat your hands, as the infection often penetrates through them. It is enough to touch the surface on which there are invisible droplets of liquid with the virus, and then rub your eyes – and you can get sick;
- it is advisable to regularly rinse your mouth and throat with a solution of soda. Washing the nasal cavity with soap or drops of sea salt can also serve as an additional guarantee of protection against infection with the influenza virus, since the virus may not immediately enter the respiratory tract, but settle on the surface of the nasal mucosa and on the hair lining the nasal passage;
- carry out wet cleaning, airing and humidifying the air in the room as often as possible, at the workplace, wipe the table, bedside table, telephone receiver, computer keyboard with an alcohol napkin;
- lead a healthy lifestyle (full sleep, balanced diet, physical activity).
What to do if you get the flu.
- you should stay at home and call a doctor. Taking medications should be started only after the diagnosis and appointment of a doctor. Self-medication for the flu is unacceptable. It is the doctor who should make the diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment that corresponds to your condition;
- observe bed rest during the illness, as the disease increases the load on the cardiovascular, immune and other systems of the body and increases the chances of complications. In addition, a person who has the flu is very contagious and attempts to carry the disease on their feet will lead to infection of your loved ones and colleagues at work;
- it is recommended to drink plenty of water – at least 2 liters of liquid per day. The liquid allows you to rid the body of toxins that cause a significant part of the symptoms of the flu - weakness, drowsiness, nausea, headache. For drinking, herbal teas, fruit drinks, compote, non-acidic juices, kefir are suitable. Coffee is undesirable to drink, as it increases the heartbeat and can worsen the condition;
- to prevent the spread of infection, the patient should be isolated from healthy people-it is advisable to allocate a separate room, wear a mask;
- do not bring down the temperature while it is below 38.50 C: this is a way to fight the virus;
- maintain a comfortable temperature in the room, regularly, at least once every 1.5-2 hours, ventilate the room, which helps to reduce the concentration of microbes in the air;
- maintain humidity at the level of 40-60% to make it easier to breathe, for which at least once a day to carry out wet cleaning (if possible, 2-3 times a day);
- household items, as well as floors, should be cleaned with disinfectants;
- if possible, you should limit communication with the patient. When caring for a patient with the flu, you should use a medical mask with a change of it every 3-4 hours.
GUZ " LOTSPBS and IZ»
Doctor-epidemiologist
Shchepinova O. N.
