Flu Prevention Methods – Health Network
Influenza (influenza) is a contagious infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. The flu virus is transmitted through droplets. At SANKO University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dr. Instructor Member Türkmen said: “The person who coughs and sneezes spreads the virus-containing droplets around. The disease is transmitted when these droplets reach the mouth, nose or eyes. For this reason, a person with the flu should cover their mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing or, if they cannot find a tissue, with their arms. Sneezing into the hands is dangerous because the virus that gets on the hands spreads everywhere it is touched. The person with the flu should wash their hands regularly.
Avoiding the flu
To prevent the spread of the flu in the community, school, work, etc. in the first days of the illness when transmission is high. Instead of being in public places, it is necessary to rest at home. Dr. Instructor Member Türkmen said: “To protect the household, hands should be washed often and rooms should be ventilated. It is important that flu patients wear a mask, especially around people who are at risk of serious illness. mask should completely cover the mouth and nose, and if it gets wet it should be replaced and hands washed.
flu symptoms
The flu is characterized by sudden onset fever, cough, sore throat, headache, runny nose, muscle and joint pain. Dr. Instructor Member Türkmen said: “If there is no fever, joint and muscle pain, other respiratory diseases such as the common cold are considered first. The cough can be severe and can last two weeks or longer in some people. If the fever lasts for a long time, dark sputum, chest pain or shortness of breath, there is a high risk of pneumonia (pneumonia). In this case, a doctor should be consulted. This can be dangerous, especially in people with weakened immune systems.”
Risk groups
Dr. Instructor Member Türkmen listed the risk groups as follows: “Especially pregnant women, people over 50 years old, people under 5 years old, people with lung, heart disease, kidney, liver failure, cancer, diabetes, etc. patients, immunocompromised patients for any reason, organ transplant recipients and obese people are more at risk for the flu, which may require hospitalization for flu, and the illness may even result in death.”
flu treatment
Rest and supportive treatment are important with the flu. Dr. Instructor Member Türkmen said: “If necessary, antipyretic drugs can be taken. Drinking a lot is recommended. However, people in the risk group and people who are thought to have a serious illness, even if they are not in the risk group, are given medicines ( oseltamivir, zanamivir, etc.) that are directly effective against the flu virus “These patients should definitely see a doctor,” he said.
flu vaccine
Dr. Instructor Member Türkmen said: “In order not to get the flu, personal precautions can be taken, such as washing hands regularly, eating healthily and dressing according to the season. Vaccination is the most effective form of protection for people at risk. These people are at risk also risk of pneumonia, the main cause of flu.A pneumococcal vaccine (pneumonia) should also be obtained by getting information from their doctor.
Looking at the course of the flu, it is necessary to get the flu shot every October. However, people in the risk group can be vaccinated until February if they have not been vaccinated before. People who have been vaccinated or who have had the disease may become ill again during the following flu season. Since the structure of the virus is constantly changing, the contents of the vaccine are renewed every year. That is why it is necessary to get vaccinated every year.
Pregnant, Children between 6-59 months, Adults over 50, Those with chronic diseases: Chronic lung disease including asthma, diabetes, metabolic diseases, heart disease, chronic liver, chronic kidney disease, neurological disorders, Immune-suppressed patients, 6 months-18 Those between 18 years and those on long-term aspirin therapy, obese people (Body mass index for adults greater than 40), those who come into contact with children under 6 months in particular, those who come into contact with people under 5 years of age and over 50 years and those who care for these people, risk groups who are in close contact with people, health professionals.”
