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You are on your dream holiday and you
wake up in the morning with scratchy throat, a stuffy nose and muscle
ache. The woes of the cold or is it the flu bug? Although they are both
respiratory infections caused by viruses, influenza has got far more
severe consequences. Catching the flu bug while travelling is an
inconvenience that you can live without.
Influenza activity peaks during the
winter season in the Northern Hemisphere between November and March.
Epidemics of influenza occur during the winter months nearly every year
and are responsible for an average of 20,000 deaths per year in the
United States. In UK, influenza causes death among 10,000 people per
epidemic year.
What is Influenza
Influenza, commonly known as the "the
flu", is a highly contagious and potentially dangerous viral infection
that affects men, women and children around the world each year. It
spreads through droplets in the air that comes from infected people
breathing, coughing, sneezing and talking.
Influenza symptoms
- chills or a sensation of being
chilled is one of the first symptoms
- high fever of 39°c
- headache and eye irritation
- muscular ache
- sore, scratchy throat
- dry cough
- fatigue and weakness that may
continue for days or even weeks
Children tend to experience vomitting
and diarrhea. The fever and body aches last for 3 to 5 days while the
cough and fatigue persist for 2 weeks or more.
Influenza - a serious threat ?
Often influenza is perceived as not a
serious disease. Yet every year, influenza is responsible for thousands
of deaths worldwide, lengthy hospital stay, school and industrial
absenteeism, unproductive business trips and spoilt holidays causing
billion of dollars in social costs. Influenza can be a life threatening
disease for some people who are at risk on severe complications.
Complications of influenza
- Sinusitis, bronchitis and middle
ear infections
- Life-threatening pneumonia among
people age 50 years or older and people of any age with chronic
medical conditions like diabetes, asthma, heart and lung disease.
- People who devleop the
complications of influenza are often hospitalized and for some death
is a real risk. It is therefore important for those people to be
protected.
Influenza can be prevented
Vaccination is the primary method of
prevention against influenza and its complications. The vaccine is 70%
to 90% effective in preventing illness in healthy adults and 50% to 80%
effective in preventing influenza related ailments like pneumonia in
older persons. Influenza vaccine does not however protect against
respiratory illness caused by other viruses. Prevention through
vaccination is recommended throughout the world
Influenza vaccines
Every year, World Health Organisation
(WHO) makes recommendations for the Influenza Vaccination Composition
twice, once in February and the other in September. This recommendation
is based on the information gathered from the WHO surveillance network.
Southern Formulation
In September, WHO will make
recommendations for the Influenza Vaccine Composition to be used for the
following winter season in the Southern Hemisphere (April - October of
the following year). This vaccine is recommended for local use and for
travelers to the Southern Hemisphere.
Northern Formulation
In February, WHO will make
recommenedations for the Influenza Vaccine Composition to be used for
the following winter season in the Northern Hemisphere (November of the
same year, March the following year). This vaccine is recommended for
people living in the Northern Hemisphere and travelers to the Northern
Hemisphere during November to March.
Influenza Vaccine - Side effects ?
- The influenza vaccine is generally
safe. The most common side effect is mild soreness at the injection
site.
- Individuals allergic to eggs are
advised not to vaccinate themselves as the vaccine is cultured from
eggs. However, true egg allergy is extremely rare.
- If you have an acute infection and
fever, you should postpone the vaccination to a later date.
Who should get Influenza vaccine ?
All people travelling to the Northern
Hemisphere during the winter season should be vaccinated with the
influenza vaccine. It is highly recommended especially if you fall
within any of the following categories.
* Everyone 50
years of age or older
* Anyone who
has a chronic medical condition
* Lung disease (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or Asthma)
* Heart Disease
* Diabetes Mellitus
* Kidney Disease
* Travelers on vacation, business trips
and students going abroad to continue their tertiary education who would
like to reduce his or her chance of catching influenza.
What is the best time to get in
influenza vaccination ?
You should get influenza vaccination
about two weeks before your trip.
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