10 questions about influenza
What is influenza?
Influenza is an acute viral infectious disease associated with high fever, muscle pain and general discomfort and malaise.Why is influenza dangerous?
Influenza may cause severe complications; the commonest of them include pneumonia and bronchitis, otitis and sinusitis, or even myocarditis, encephalitis and meningitis. Influenza may cause neurological and mental complications, and even death. It is estimated that the pandemic (worldwide epidemic) of influenza called Spanish influenza in 1918 caused death of more than 50 million people. As many as 30 million cases of influenza and more than 1000 deaths due to this disease were noted in Poland in 1980 - 2000.When does influenza attack?
Influenza is a disease which occurs around the world throughout the year. It attacks particularly strongly in the autumn and winter season and in early spring. The number of influenza cases starts to grow from November. The peak influenza incidence in Poland is noted between the second half of January and the second half of March.What is the best method of protection against influenza?
Currently, the only effective method of protection against influenza are protective vaccinations.Are influenza vaccines effective?
Studies on influenza vaccines of all types prove that their effectiveness is 70–80%, i.e. such a percentage of vaccinated persons attains full protection against the disease.When should influenza vaccinations be performed?
Vaccinations should be performed before the expected occurrence of influenza epidemic. It is assumed that the best period for influenza vaccinations are the months of September to November, although it is impossible to tell until when it is possible to get vaccinated. The organism of a healthy human acquires full immunity already 7–10 days after vaccination. Immunity is maintained for up to 12 months. Thus, if somebody did not get vaccinated in autumn, he or she can and should still do it in January or in February.What is the probability of becoming ill after having been vaccinated?
Influenza vaccine contains inactivated ("killed") and purified components of the influenza virus and cannot cause an influenza infection! Therefore, the occurrence of an influenza-like infection after the vaccination is performed should be considered a usual (unfortunate) coincidence. In persons who developed influenza despite vaccinations (but not due to vaccinations!), the vaccine alleviates the course of the disease and protects against serious post-influenza complications (pneumonia, encephalitis, and meningitis, etc.) which require hospitalisation and are life threatening.Why should the vaccinations be repeated every year?
The influenza virus is characterised by continuous variability and undergoes constant mutations. The existing antibodies (resulting from previous vaccinations) are not able to ensure the optimum protection against new mutations of the influenza virus. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) maintains the worldwide network of laboratories which identify the current mutations of the influenza virus. Analysing the data collected in this manner, the WHO develops the guidelines for the composition of the influenza vaccine for the given season (year).How to store the vaccine?
Influenza vaccine should be transported and stored only at +2 oC - +8 oC. The vaccine cannot be frozen. Before use, the vaccine should be heated to room temperature. A short-time temperature increase (e.g. on the way from the pharmacy to the surgery) is not detrimental to the vaccine.Who should get vaccinated against influenza?
Influenza vaccinations are recommended in Poland by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The vaccine can be used already from 6 months of age. The vaccination is especially recommended for persons above 65 years of age, persons with chronic disorders, particular of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, persons with diabetes and asthma, immunosuppressed persons (e.g. AIDS patients). Furthermore, persons working in contact with other people (healthcare personnel, employees in the sectors of education, commerce, transport and communication) should get vaccinated.
No tablet will protect you against influenza. Only vaccinations protect you against influenza and its complications!
