Flu epidemics erupt in the cold season in almost all countries of the Northern Hemisphere, so the urgent need arises of the need to vaccinate against the flu.
Doctors almost unanimously agree that vaccination allows you to insure against influenza in 90% of cases - it's quite high efficiency. Vaccination against influenza does not protect against common colds (ARVI - adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, etc.), but will raise human immunity to viruses in general. And because vaccinated patients catch a cold much less often and easily tolerate the disease. 10% of vaccinated people who get sick with the flu do not face complications and recover faster.
When should I get a flu shot?
As a rule, the vaccination season starts in October-November. Immunity is developed already two weeks after vaccination, although doctors recommend that it be made before the projected epidemic.
For patients at risk (for example, elderly people with a history of myocardial infarction, which increases the likelihood of serious complications of influenza), an emergency vaccination is possible during an epidemic, but quarantine is required for several weeks.
The vaccine is sold in a pharmacy, but you can not chop it yourself - it's done only in a medical institution after a detailed consultation with a doctor, tk. Inoculation against influenza has a number of contraindications that a patient may not know about.
The procedure should be performed annually.
Types of vaccine
The first generations of influenza vaccine - the so-called whole-virion vaccines: one contains live viruses, the second - killed.
This vaccination against influenza gives side effects in the form of headaches, fever and poor overall health, but it provides strong immunity. Children under 18 years of age are not allowed to do this vaccination, as are patients with hypertension,
Another type is a split vaccine, which contains purified antigens of the influenza virus, but not the infectious agent itself. Side effects in this case are less pronounced, the temperature hardly rises, but a swelling can form at the site of the injection.
Split vaccines can not be administered to people with allergies to chicken protein and those who suffer from chronic illnesses in the acute stage.
The most modern type of vaccination against influenza is using a subunit vaccine, which contains only the surface protein of the virus. Due to its high purity, the vaccine does not cause deterioration of health (only redness at the injection site is possible) and can be used to vaccinate children under 2 years old.
Allergy to influenza vaccination
Mostly the allergy to the vaccine occurs due to a reaction to antibiotics or chicken protein - which is why the procedural cabinet is always asked about these individual reactions.
At the same time, even a person who tolerates the above substances may feel bad after vaccination. Allergy makes itself felt after a few minutes or hours in the form of urticaria, Quincke's edema and even anaphylactic shock. However, such cases are extremely rare, nevertheless, the reaction to the vaccine is strictly individual for each person.
Especially dangerous is the virus during pregnancy, and the vaccine against influenza in this case is designed to protect future mother, whose immunity is weakened. Before vaccination it is necessary to get approval of a female doctor.
Vaccination against avian influenza
From a deadly strain of influenza, which is called avian, will soon be able to protect the corresponding vaccine - its first
It is worth noting that a relatively small group of vaccine opponents has already formed in the society: they dispute the mechanisms that underpin the vaccination and insist on inadequate study of these drugs, as well as the content of toxic substances in them that harm the health more than a possible infection. Whether to vaccinate or not is the choice of every person, but still the best defense against the disease: strong immunity, which should be strengthened by hardening , healthy nutrition, physical activity and a positive outlook on the world.