The most effective and universal method of preventing influenza in developed countries is vaccination. In adults the vaccine provides good protection against the disease, while in the elderly it prevents complications and even death in high-risk or very old patients.
When is the best time for the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccination campaign starts in early autumn and takes place during Autumn, as this is when the virus begins to circulate.
Influenza is a contagious acute respiratory viral infection. It is caused by influenza A, B and C viruses. They cause mild, moderate or severe illness, but can be fatal depending on the person’s initial condition and the virulence of the virus.
Over the past 30 years, influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2) and B viruses have been the main causes of outbreaks and epidemics in humans. Therefore, vaccines contain strains of both viruses. Type C viruses are less commonly detected and tend to cause mild infections, so their impact on public health is less important.
How are vaccines made?
Influenza vaccine consists of killed or attenuated viruses. They are administered by intramuscular or intradermal injection in health centres, hospitals and nursing homes. Influenza vaccines are more effective the more similar they are to circulating viruses. The influenza virus is variable, so vaccines are reviewed twice a year. The vaccine covers the three most common circulating viruses (two subtypes of influenza A virus and one influenza B virus).
Since 2014, a second B virus has also been included. There are several brands of inactivated and recombinant injectable influenza vaccines and a live attenuated nasal spray vaccine.
Who should be vaccinated?
People who are more susceptible to infectious diseases (such as influenza) are known as risk groups because the course of the disease can be more severe and the risk of death can be higher. It is therefore recommended that they be included in annual vaccination campaigns. In addition, the vaccine is indicated for those groups who work in essential services for the community (health workers, firefighters, nursing home staff, etc.), as they are more exposed to influenza and therefore reduce the transmission of the virus.
It is therefore advisable for the following groups to be vaccinated:
- Pregnant women in any stage of pregnancy
- Children from six months to five years of age with respiratory or cardiac disease, or oncological or diabetic patients
- Adults over 60-65 years of age
- People with no spleen
- People with chronic diseases
- Healthcare workers and essential public service groups
- Chronically ill people (respiratory diseases, chronic heart diseases, haematological diseases)
- Healthy adults living with vulnerable groups
How is the flu transmitted?
The time between transmission of the disease and the onset of symptoms is approximately two days. It is easily spread from person to person. It affects people of all ages and circulates worldwide. Seasonal epidemics occur mainly in winter in temperate climates, and in tropical countries throughout the year. Most cases occur in places where large numbers of people living closely together, such as nursing homes, jails, schools, nurseries or military barracks.
It is spread by infectious droplets of saliva that the person with the disease expels when they talk, cough or sneeze. It is also spread by infected hands, so frequent hand washing and the use of disposable tissues, which can also be used to cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, are very important.
How it manifests itself
People who get the flu virus will often have symptoms like for example: fever above 38º for more than three days, dry cough that can last for two weeks or more, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, headache and/or muscle- or joint pain. Vomiting and diarrhoea also can accompany the symptoms although this is more common in children.
The duration of the symptoms is approximately one week and in healthy people it is not always necessary to see a doctor. Chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type I and II, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and other diseases treated with immunosuppressive drugs (transplant recipients, patients with rheumatological diseases) should always consult their family doctor.
What to do when you have the flu?
It is essential to take some rest! Stay in bed if you feel like it and do not go out. Return to normal activities (work, school, nursery…) when you are fully recovered to avoid a relapse or spreading the disease.
Some tips to get through the flu:
- Do not dress too warmly as this will prevent the fever from going down.
- Maintain a good temperature at home, not too high, so the heating should be around 21ºC.
- If you feel breathless, have a productive cough (with sputum production) or have difficulty lowering your body temperature, seek medical advice.
Flu treatment
Staying hydrated is very important, drinking plenty of fluids is very important as it is easy to become dehydrated when you have a fever. It is recommended to drink plenty of water, as well as herbal teas, broths, natural juices… without waiting until you are thirsty. Special attention should be paid to hydrating children and the elderly. They are not the ones who will not ask for fluids, so offer them often.
Also remember that even if you are not hungry, it is important to eat little and often, and to eat foods that are easy to digest.
As far as medication is concerned, remember that flu is a virus and is not treated with antibiotics, so you should never self-medicate. Influenza always lasts five to seven days and treatment is only effective for symptom control. The use of antiviral drugs is a second option for patients with chronic diseases or cancer, who should always consult a doctor.
Antipyretics (to lower your fever) such as paracetamol should always be taken in doses of 500 mg to 1 g depending on the person’s weight, and in children. The child’s weight should be multiplied by 0.15 mg to know how much to give every six hours. If paracetamol syrup is not tolerated, rectal paracetamol or suppositories can be used, given every 6 hours.
For severe body aches or high fever, we can alternate with anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen 400mg to 600mg in adults and 100mg/ml syrup, dividing the child’s weight by four to determine the dose.
Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or aspirin is no longer used as it is more gastrolesive (can cause stomach complaints).
Avoid anti-flu products that are mixtures of several medicines, as they tend to cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness and blurred vision, and generally do not contain sufficient doses of antipyretics. For coughs, we can use home remedies such as milk or chamomile with honey or homeopathic syrups, and for mucus we can make eucalyptus inhalations and use saline solution to irrigate the nasal passages.
Need some more advice?
Now that you know more about the flu, don’t forget to live a healthy lifestyle, as this will help you to be more resistant to the disease. Remember: eat well, exercise, don’t smoke or drink alcohol, and your body will be ready to deal with the virus.
If you have the flu and would like to speak to a doctor or you have any other medical questions? Please reach out to our team of doctors available to you at no additional cost. The service is rendered through the e-care portal and supported by Teladoc Health. Don´t hesitate to reach out!
