Symptoms of influenza
Common cold includes common cold and flu. The common cold is also called "cold" in Chinese medicine. There are many pathogens, most of which are viruses. The main symptoms are fever, runny nose and stuffy nose. Moderate fever is more common than high fever. Influenza is an infectious disease caused by influenza virus, which is generally characterized by acute onset, fever (high fever can occur in some cases, and the body temperature can reach 39-40℃), accompanied by systemic symptoms such as chills, chills, headache, muscle joint pain, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, and often symptoms such as sore throat, cough, vomiting and diarrhea. Mild flu is often similar to the common cold, but its fever and systemic symptoms are more obvious. In severe cases, complications such as viral pneumonia may occur, even leading to death.
The pathogen of influenza
Influenza is caused by influenza virus, which is divided into different types, including influenza A, B, C and D. Influenza A virus can be divided into many subtypes, and the epidemic type may change every year.
Source of infection and mode of transmission of influenza
Influenza patients and recessive infected people are the sources of influenza infection, mainly through respiratory droplets, but also through direct or indirect contact with oral cavity, nasal cavity, eyes and other mucous membranes. The common incubation period is 1-4 days (average 2 days), which is contagious from the end of incubation period to the acute stage of onset.
Harm and disease burden of influenza
The flu itself is a self-limiting disease, and mild flu doesn't even need treatment. Some people think that the flu is nothing, and it will be fine in a few days. People who hold this view cannot say that they are completely wrong, but only partially correct. For mild patients, it is true. However, if it is specific to someone, it will be treated differently. Some people may have serious symptoms and need medical treatment or even hospitalization.
According to statistics, influenza can cause 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory diseases-related deaths worldwide every year; There are an average of 88,000 deaths from influenza-related respiratory diseases in China every year.
Harm of influenza to pregnant women and children
Influenza is more harmful to the health of pregnant women. Studies have shown that pregnant women with influenza will have effects on fetuses and newborns, such as stillbirth, infant death, premature delivery and low birth weight. Therefore, we should attach great importance to the prevention of influenza in pregnant women.
In the annual influenza epidemic season, the incidence of influenza in children is about 20-30%. In some high-incidence seasons, the annual infection rate of influenza in children can be as high as 50%, which is much higher than that of adults. Children under 5 years old are at higher risk of serious diseases after being infected with influenza. The death risk of children with basic diseases is significantly higher than that of healthy children.
In a word, in most cases, influenza can be regarded as a very common disease and a "minor illness", so why "make a mountain out of a molehill"? The key is that this is the case in most cases, but for a few patients, it may be a serious problem. Therefore, we must not "lose big because of small things", we must distinguish between different situations and not generalize.
Prevention of influenza
The best way to prevent influenza is vaccination, and the protection rate can reach over 85%. Vaccination against influenza every year is the most effective means to prevent influenza, which can significantly reduce the risk of influenza and serious complications, especially for the elderly. What I want to emphasize here is that I have to get the flu vaccine every year! Why every year? Some people may have questions. Generally speaking, one or two shots of vaccine are enough to prevent a disease. Why should the flu vaccine be given every year? It turns out that this is determined by the characteristics of influenza virus. Influenza virus is particularly fickle, and its antigenicity may change at any time. The vaccine developed this year is only effective against this year's virus. If the antigen of the virus changes next year, the vaccine developed for this year's influenza virus will be invalid. Therefore, the flu vaccine must be vaccinated every year. Another reason is the short duration of effective antibodies after vaccination. Even if the antigen of the virus has not changed, the protective effect can only last for 6-8 months after vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine. Therefore, regardless of whether the flu vaccine was vaccinated in the last flu season, the flu vaccine of that year should be vaccinated again before the flu season comes (September-65438+1October every year).
Measures to prevent influenza also include: paying attention to personal hygiene, strengthening respiratory protection, "wearing masks, washing hands frequently, ventilating more and gathering less", paying attention to physical exercise and keeping healthy.
How to get the flu vaccine?
The first is the inoculation time. Every year, the vaccination time is different all over the country. As far as Zaozhuang city is concerned, the best time for vaccination is September -65438+ 10. If you miss this time, you can be vaccinated throughout the epidemic season, but the risk of influenza will increase. It is possible to be "discovered" by the flu virus because of not being vaccinated in time, and it will be "regretful" at that time!
The second is the cost of vaccination. At present, China has not included influenza vaccine in the scope of free vaccination, so it needs to be "paid" and it is voluntary vaccination.
The third is to vaccinate people. Priority groups for vaccination include: infants aged 6-23 months; Children aged 2-5; Older people aged 60 and over; Patients with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, liver and renal insufficiency, hematological diseases, nervous system diseases, neuromuscular dysfunction, metabolic diseases (including diabetes); People with low immune function or patients who use immunosuppressants; Medical personnel; Family members and caregivers of infants under 6 months old; Pregnant women or women who are going to get pregnant during the flu season. Vaccination during pregnancy can not only reduce the risk of influenza during pregnancy, but also protect infants who cannot be vaccinated within 6 months from influenza through fetal antibodies.
In fact, except for babies under 6 months old, anyone without contraindications can get the flu vaccine.
The fourth is the inoculation time. Children from 6 months to 8 years old should be vaccinated twice with an interval of ≥4 weeks for the first time; Children who have been vaccinated with influenza before are advised to take one dose; Children and adults aged 8 years and above only need to be vaccinated 1 dose. The specific vaccination times, methods and requirements shall be implemented according to the vaccination outpatient doctor's advice.
Taboos and precautions for vaccination. People who are allergic to any component in the vaccine; For patients with mild to moderate acute diseases, it is recommended to vaccinate after the symptoms subside; Guillain-Barre syndrome occurs within 6 weeks after the last influenza vaccination, which is not a contraindication, but special attention should be paid.