Information material for the Unified Health Day on January 18, 2024 - Influenza and ARVI Prevention Day.
The epidemic season for influenza and ARVI, characteristic of this time of year, continues in the Vitebsk region.
Influenza and ARVI pathogens are transmitted from person to person through airborne droplets and are quite contagious.
In the case of ARVI – acute respiratory viral infections of non-influenza etiology, the disease develops gradually, most often starting with fatigue and a runny nose, a dry cough, which then turns into a wet cough.
Influenza is an infectious disease that anyone can contract. The causative agent of influenza is a virus that passes from infected people to the nasopharynx of those around them.
Influenza exacerbates existing chronic diseases, and also has an extensive list of possible complications:
Pulmonary complications (pneumonia, bronchitis). Pneumonia is the cause of most deaths from influenza.
Complications of the upper respiratory tract and ENT organs (otitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, tracheitis). Complications of the cardiovascular system (myocarditis, pericarditis). Complications of the nervous system (meningitis, meningoencephalitis, encephalitis, neuralgia, polyradiculoneuritis).
To avoid possible complications, it is important to carry out timely influenza prevention and correctly treat the disease itself.
Influenza usually begins suddenly. The causative agents of influenza, types A and B viruses, are aggressive and reproduce extremely quickly, so within hours of infection, the virus causes deep damage to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, allowing bacteria to penetrate it.
Symptoms of influenza include fever, temperature of 37.5–39 °C, headache, muscle and joint pain, chills, fatigue, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore or scratchy throat.
Influenza can be confused with other diseases, so a clear diagnosis must be made by a doctor, who also determines the treatment strategy.
At the first symptoms, the patient is advised to stay at home, not only to avoid infecting others but also to start treatment promptly, which requires immediate medical attention. To prevent further spread of the infection, the sick person should be isolated from healthy individuals, preferably in a separate room. When coughing or sneezing, the patient should cover their mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue.
The room where the patient is located should be regularly ventilated, and wet cleaning should be performed as often as possible, preferably using disinfectants effective against viruses.
Contact with a person suffering from influenza should be limited, and when caring for them, a medical mask or gauze bandage should be used.
How to protect yourself from influenza?
According to the World Health Organization, the most effective measure against influenza is vaccination, as the vaccine provides protection against the influenza virus strains that are most relevant in the current epidemiological season and are included in its composition.
The introduction of the vaccine into the body cannot cause illness but stimulates the immune system to fight infection by producing protective antibodies. The effectiveness of the influenza vaccine is incomparably higher than all non-specific medical preparations that can be taken during the winter months, such as immunomodulators, vitamins, homeopathic remedies, "folk medicine" remedies, and so on.
Vaccination is recommended for all population groups, but is particularly indicated for children from 6 months of age, individuals with chronic diseases, pregnant women, and persons over 65 years of age.
There are few contraindications for influenza vaccination. Flu vaccination should not be administered in cases of acute febrile conditions, during exacerbation of chronic diseases, or in individuals with hypersensitivity to egg protein (if it is part of the vaccine composition).
By getting vaccinated against influenza, you protect your body from the attack of the most dangerous viruses – influenza viruses, but there are still over 200 other types of viruses that are less dangerous to humans but can also cause ARVI. Therefore, during periods of epidemic rise in ARVI and influenza incidence, non-specific preventive measures are recommended.
Non-specific preventive measures.
1. Avoid visiting crowded places, groups of friends or acquaintances, as they may be infected with influenza. Exclude entertainment events.
2. In crowded places and in close contact with people, for example, in lectures in an auditorium, in classes in a classroom, in a library, when using public transport, or in a store, wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.
3. Wash your hands frequently with soap. Try not to touch your nose, mouth, or eyes with your hands.
4. Do not use other people's personal hygiene items (towels, handkerchiefs), or other people's mobile phones – they may carry influenza viruses.
5. Ventilate your living and study premises. Carry out wet cleaning in them using household detergents.
6. Observe your daily routine, work and rest schedule, include vegetables, fruits, juices in your diet, and consume enough fluids. Try to walk in the fresh air daily.
7. If you experience flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, sore throat, runny nose, cough, vomiting, diarrhea), do not go to work (classes), stay at home, and call a doctor immediately.
8. Observe "Respiratory Etiquette".
"Respiratory Etiquette".
Influenza viruses are mainly spread from person to person through the inhalation of tiny droplets produced when coughing and sneezing. When coughing and sneezing, it is recommended to cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue and discard it in a bin after use, and also to wash your hands.
To observe "respiratory etiquette", children and staff should be provided with disposable tissues and instructed on the importance of "respiratory etiquette", including the undesirability of touching the face with hands. In the absence of a handkerchief, epidemiologists recommend sneezing or coughing into the bend of the elbow, limiting the spread of viruses with the sleeve and keeping your hands clean.
Head of the Epidemiology Department
State Institution "Vitebsk Regional Center for Hygiene,
Epidemiology and Public Health"
S.O. Konyshev