Given the delay in vaccination against influenza, specialists clarify the main doubts about the circulation of this virus. 57.39% of pregnant women and 37.08% of older adults still need to receive their immunization.
Seasonal influenza is a highly infectious viral condition that occurs throughout the world at certain times of the year. Although cases usually increase in winter, infections in Chile have increased steadily since the beginning of 2023. Indeed, 4,631 cases of Influenza A have been registered up to week 22 of the epidemiological year (May 29 to June 4). This figure is more than double that registered in the same period of the previous year1. And if compared to 2019, before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, infections by influenza and other respiratory viruses have increased five times during the first half of the year2.
“The influenza virus can be easily transmitted from person to person and affect all age groups, which is why it is considered a public health problem,” says Dr. Diego García-Huidobro, a specialist at the Department of Family Medicine at the Catholic University.
The main symptoms of influenza include sudden onset of fever, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle and joint pain, feeling severely unwell, sore throat, and runny nose3.
“Although many people tolerate the symptoms, influenza can cause a serious condition and require hospitalization if it affects people considered in risk groups, such as babies, children of school age, pregnant women, adults over 65 years of age and people with chronic diseases”, warns Dr. García-Huidobro.
How to avoid the flu?
The flu vaccine is a first step. This is not only a simple and effective way to protect ourselves and the people around us, but it also helps to reduce hospitalization rates and eases care in hospital health centers4.
Dr. Milagro Sosa, Abbott’s Chief Medical Officer, notes that “Influenza viruses continually mutate into new variants. For this reason, every year the influenza vaccine is updated following the guidelines of the World Health Organization, in order to focus on the most circulating strains to better protect people and prevent the spread of the virus.
5 myths about the flu
Dr. Milagro Sosa shares some myths and truths about this condition, and highlights the importance of medical judgment to resolve any query about influenza.
MYTH #1 The flu is harmless, it’s like a cold
THE TRUTH: “Influenza should be taken seriously, as it can cause serious complications and hospitalization, especially for risk groups,” remarks Dr. Sosa. Indeed, it is estimated that each year, influenza causes worldwide between 3 and 5 million cases of severe illness and between 290,000 and 650,000 deaths from respiratory causes5.
MYTH #2 The flu vaccine is only for older adults
THE TRUTH: The flu can affect anyone, regardless of age5. For this reason, the Ministry of Health recommends vaccination against influenza for all groups considered at risk of developing complications, including babies from 6 months of age onwards, boys and girls up to 5th grade, older adults from 65 years and older, pregnant women (at any stage) and people with chronic diseases such as diabetes6.
MYTH #3 You only need to get vaccinated once
THE TRUTH: The influenza virus mutates every year. Therefore, the World Health Organization recommends annual influenza vaccination to increase protection against the most dominant strain of each season5. This is the vaccine that the Ministry of Health provides each year for risk groups7.
MYTH #4 The COVID-19 vaccine protects you from the flu
THE TRUTH: COVID-19 and influenza are different viruses. Therefore, to protect against influenza, it is necessary to receive the vaccine against this particular virus, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).5
MYTH #5 Vaccines won’t help if I have the flu
THE TRUTH: Quite the opposite. According to what Dr. Milagro Sosa indicates, the influenza vaccine reduces the risk of contracting this virus. “If you contract it anyway, the symptoms will be less intense than they would be if you had not received the vaccine,” explains the specialist.
Hand washing and ventilation of rooms are also measures that, together with vaccination, help keep the influenza virus at bay, to maintain health during the winter months.
2023-07-30 11:00:44
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