By Shaun Widen Flu is a serious disease caused by the flu viruses and it infects the respiratory system of the body much like the common co...
By Shaun Widen
Flu is a serious disease caused by the flu viruses and it infects the respiratory system of the body much like the common cold. It causes an irritation in the respiratory tract, high fever and headache that can lead to hospitalization. Young children and aged persons who have a weaker immune system are most vulnerable to the infection and there are reports of death of senior citizens due to the influenza. The drugs available in medical stores only help to reduce the symptom and the best preventive measures are perhaps getting one of the prescribed flu vaccines usually known as flu shots. Before describing treatment with flu vaccine let us have a quick recap of various aspects of the disease.
How do you know you are infected with flu virus?
The symptoms of flu are very much similar to the common cold, only the intensity of affliction is much more serious in case of influenza. Moreover, the flu virus is highly contagious, so that if someone nearby are already infected by the flu virus, chances are great that he or she will spread the disease to the persons nearby. The victim may never know that he or she had already contacted the disease as the virus may start spreading even before the symptoms of the disease has emerged to the surface. The most common symptom of the flu is high fever, irritation in the respiratory tracts, cough and tendency to vomit. So if you are suffering from any of the above mentioned symptoms, you should contact the doctor immediately who would prescribe a simple test that would confirm whether you are infected by the flu virus or not.
Prevention of Flu through vaccine
Flu shots or vaccinations are the most effective preventative measure against the flu. There are many clinics that are offering state of the art medical facilities for vaccination against the flu virus. The vaccines usually contain the dead or the deactivated viruses that activate our immune system producing antibodies that fights against the viruses once you have been infected by it. The most vulnerable period for getting infected by flu virus in the United States is between October and March and vaccination should be taken prior to these months.
Side effects of vaccination
Many people worry about the possible side effects of vaccinations. The vaccination usually does not cause any serious side effect except for mild fever and allergic eruption that lasts for a few days. Only the person with serious allergic problem with egg should consult a doctor before taking the vaccines as the vaccines are usually developed over the hen's egg. There are other varieties also available that are not reared on hen's eggs and they may be recommended for persons having allergy towards the eggs. The pregnant women and persons above the age of 65 should also consult a doctor before taking the vaccination.
This treatment with the vaccine is the most preferred way to address the disease and it should be taken every year without fail. As the potency of vaccines reduces over time and the virus alters its genetic strains at regular intervals, the vaccination would have to be taken each and every time before the onset of the flu season.
Flu is a serious disease caused by the flu viruses and it infects the respiratory system of the body much like the common cold. It causes an irritation in the respiratory tract, high fever and headache that can lead to hospitalization. Young children and aged persons who have a weaker immune system are most vulnerable to the infection and there are reports of death of senior citizens due to the influenza. The drugs available in medical stores only help to reduce the symptom and the best preventive measures are perhaps getting one of the prescribed flu vaccines usually known as flu shots. Before describing treatment with flu vaccine let us have a quick recap of various aspects of the disease.
How do you know you are infected with flu virus?
The symptoms of flu are very much similar to the common cold, only the intensity of affliction is much more serious in case of influenza. Moreover, the flu virus is highly contagious, so that if someone nearby are already infected by the flu virus, chances are great that he or she will spread the disease to the persons nearby. The victim may never know that he or she had already contacted the disease as the virus may start spreading even before the symptoms of the disease has emerged to the surface. The most common symptom of the flu is high fever, irritation in the respiratory tracts, cough and tendency to vomit. So if you are suffering from any of the above mentioned symptoms, you should contact the doctor immediately who would prescribe a simple test that would confirm whether you are infected by the flu virus or not.
Prevention of Flu through vaccine
Flu shots or vaccinations are the most effective preventative measure against the flu. There are many clinics that are offering state of the art medical facilities for vaccination against the flu virus. The vaccines usually contain the dead or the deactivated viruses that activate our immune system producing antibodies that fights against the viruses once you have been infected by it. The most vulnerable period for getting infected by flu virus in the United States is between October and March and vaccination should be taken prior to these months.
Side effects of vaccination
Many people worry about the possible side effects of vaccinations. The vaccination usually does not cause any serious side effect except for mild fever and allergic eruption that lasts for a few days. Only the person with serious allergic problem with egg should consult a doctor before taking the vaccines as the vaccines are usually developed over the hen's egg. There are other varieties also available that are not reared on hen's eggs and they may be recommended for persons having allergy towards the eggs. The pregnant women and persons above the age of 65 should also consult a doctor before taking the vaccination.
This treatment with the vaccine is the most preferred way to address the disease and it should be taken every year without fail. As the potency of vaccines reduces over time and the virus alters its genetic strains at regular intervals, the vaccination would have to be taken each and every time before the onset of the flu season.
No comments