Flu Season Preparedness: Why the Flu Vaccine Matters

The monsoon is just around the corner and we are all eagerly waiting for it to bring respite from the sweltering hot weather. However, one needs to be cautious during this time, as the period after monsoon is the peak influenza season in India while the other peak season is from January to March. As per the WHO data, every year there are around a billion cases of seasonal influenza, causing thousands of deaths. In this article, we will discuss influenza, also commonly known as flu, its symptoms and delve into why vaccination is the best preventive measure for flu preparedness.

Understanding Flu: It's Causes And Symptoms

An infectious disease of the respiratory system, the flu is brought on by influenza viruses that can infect the throat, nose, and occasionally the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, even resulting in death.

How Flu Spreads?

According to experts, the primary way that flu viruses spread is by microscopic droplets released when infected individuals cough, sneeze, or talk. Those who are in close proximity to the infected individual may also be infected by these droplets.

Symptoms Of Flu

Flu symptoms often appear two days after contracting the virus from an infected person.
Some of the common flu symptoms are:

Abrupt onset of fever
Dry cough Headache
Extreme malaise (feeling sick)
Joint and muscular pain
Runny nose
Sore throat

Why Flu Vaccine Is Important?

Vaccination for flu is recommended and administered to everyone except for babies under 6 months old. Getting the flu vaccine is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from the health consequences of the flu.

The following are some of the benefits of the flu vaccine.

Individuals who are at higher risk of complications such as the elderly, young children and pregnant women can be prevented from the ill effects of flu by getting vaccinated.
The flu vaccine creates antibodies among pregnant women which are transmitted to babies, helping the babies fight diseases in the early stages of life.
Flu vaccine during pregnancy is often recommended to maintain the overall health of both the mother and the baby.
Flu vaccination has been associated with lower rates of cardiac events among people with heart diseases.
Several studies have demonstrated that immunization against the flu can lessen the severity of the disease.
Vaccination against the flu is particularly crucial because the symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are identical. The most effective defence against both is vaccination.

Who Should Take The Flu Vaccine?

The flu vaccine reduces the risk of developing serious complications from illness, even though it isn’t 100% effective. This is particularly valid for those who are susceptible to serious flu-related problems.
Individuals who are at greater risk of getting infected by the flu include:

Adults and elderly above 65 years of age
Nurses, doctors and other medical staff working with infected patients
Children, particularly those between 6 months to 5 year olds
Pregnant women
Women who gave birth recently
Other age groups individuals who have weak immunity
Individuals dealing with lung and heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, cancer patients, etc

Types Of Flu Vaccines

The flu vaccines are available in two types. One is the flu shot, which is injected through a needle. It consists of inactive or dead viruses. The other type is the nasal spray. The nasal flu vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women and immunocompromised people as it consists of live viruses that can be fatal to the mother and the baby and have low immunity in some cases.

Importance of Flu Vaccine in Pregnant Mothers

Pregnant women are up to five times more likely than non-pregnant individuals to require hospitalization for influenza-related illnesses. According to the WHO, and FOGSI, women who are pregnant or plan to get pregnant during influenza season should get the vaccine as normal prenatal care.

Busting the Myth: Flu Vaccine Not Linked to Miscarriage

Contrary to several theories, research proves that getting flu vaccination before or during pregnancy is not associated with miscarriage. Flu vaccination can prevent both the mother and the baby from future health complications and further safeguard their well-being.

The Bottom Line

Flu, also known as influenza, is a serious disease. Timely vaccination isn’t just about protecting yourself, it shields your loved ones too. This monsoon, don’t let the flu hamper the health of your near and dear ones, keep influenza at bay by getting vaccinated on time.

FAQs:

1. Is influenza a dangerous disease?

Influenza, also known as flu, causes mild to severe symptoms sometimes even resulting in death. Getting the flu vaccine is an effective way to safeguard oneself against it.

2. Why do I need to get the flu vaccine every year?

The flu viruses tend to mutate swiftly. Last year’s flu vaccine may not be able to offer effective protection against this year’s viruses. Hence, it is essential to take the flu shot every year. Flu vaccines are produced annually to match the latest circulating flu viruses, following the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. To ensure optimal protection against the flu, receiving a flu shot each year is advised.

3. What are the flu vaccine side effects?

The flu vaccine side effects are minor and disappear on their own in a few days. Some side effects of the flu vaccine include headache, fever, nausea, aches in the muscles, and fatigue.

4. Is taking a flu vaccine during pregnancy safe?

Experts recommend taking the flu vaccine during pregnancy as it protects both the mother and the baby from several diseases. However, pregnant women are not recommended nasal flu vaccine that consists of live viruses due to their health complications.

References:

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