Flu season
Influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses, which spreads through airborne droplets. This is one of the most common epidemic diseases, as people's susceptibility to influenza is quite high.
Most likely, the infection spreads in small, poorly ventilated, dust-contaminated rooms.
Influenza season is the period that usually lasts from the 40th week of a calendar year to the 20th week of the following calendar year. Epidemiological surveillance of influenza aims to assess the incidence of influenza and acute upper respiratory tract infections, their dynamism, to identify prevailing and new influenza viruses, to forecast epidemics, and to apply timely prevention of infectious diseases.
It is observed that 5-10 percent of people get the flu every year. population. In Lithuania, an increase in the incidence of influenza is observed in the autumn-winter season.
Symptoms and complications
Not every cold or viral respiratory infection is the flu. Also, the signs and symptoms of the flu can vary from person to person, but these are the most common:
Fever;
Headache;
Pain in muscles and joints, "breaking" of bones;
Cough and sore throat;
Runny or stuffy nose;
General fatigue and weakness;
One of the symptoms of flu in children can be vomiting and diarrhea.
This disease can be dangerous due to complications caused by flu, such as pneumonia, eye inflammation, bronchitis, sinusitis, myocarditis, encephalitis, meningitis, exacerbation of chronic diseases, etc.
Prevention and vaccination against influenza
The most effective means of preventing the flu is vaccination with the seasonal flu vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine is newly developed each year based on the circulating types of flu viruses.
We invite you to get vaccinated against the flu at the "Rezus" clinic before the start of the flu season, i.e. i.e. in late September-October, but influenza vaccination is carried out throughout the season. A period of about two weeks is required for sufficient antibody levels to develop.
We should not forget other measures to protect against the flu, such as hand hygiene, it is advised not to touch the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, to observe cough and sneeze hygiene, to ventilate the premises, to stay at home when experiencing flu symptoms, to avoid contact with sick persons. Of course, it is always important to constantly take care of and strengthen your health, even in the absence of seasonal diseases such as flu or colds.
