Thai doctors warn people to pay attention to prevention of influenza during COVID-19
From the situation of the COVID-19 epidemic Has resulted in anxiety on people around the world Also, people lack awareness and a lack of preventive understanding of the two diseases that have similar symptoms. Especially influenza, which this year is the first time that there have been two pandemic diseases at the same time. In addition to the risk of contracting any disease People also have a chance to infect together. From both influenza and the COVID-19 virus, which can cause severe symptoms Complications And making the treatment even more complicated.
Influenza Education Promotion Foundation Therefore, ideas from experts and medical experts from government agencies were organized. And related medical institutions to discuss “The importance of influenza prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic” to exchange knowledge and understanding about the flu vaccine. Benefits of preventive care Including standards and safety of influenza vaccine To raise awareness of influenza prevention for the public sector
Assoc. (Special) Dr. Taweechot Pittayasunon, MD. President of Foundation for Promotion of Influenza Studies And President of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Association of Thailand Revealing the situation of influenza in Thailand, Department of Disease Control in 2020 amid the COVID-19 epidemic From January 1 to November 28, 2020, there were 119,300 cases of influenza, equivalent to 179.44 influenza illnesses per 100,000 people. The disease risk group was still found in young children aged 0-4 years, followed by age group 5-14 years. Of these, four deaths were caused by influenza A virus. All four were aged 36-77 years, with 75% having a history of congenital disease or associated risk factors, 50% of whom had obesity index. More than 30 body mass and 50% found that there is no history of influenza vaccine.
Influenza is a disease that pandemic every year and throughout the year it is very common during the rainy season and the cold season. For in the year With the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, there is a growing concern. Because the symptoms of both diseases are quite similar The flu patients will have a high fever from 38-40 degrees Celsius, cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, muscle aches. The symptoms that are slightly different are those with COVID-19. There will not be a lot of mucus. It is also spread to others by touching the patient’s mucus or phlegm when coughing and sneezing is the same. From a study of the United States And China found People with COVID-19 Will increase the risk of getting other infections Complications increased by 20-80 percent and common infections with COVID-19. It was found that influenza A was likely to cause complications of the disease increased. Co-infection accounts for 29-55 percent of all deaths.
As of December 2020, there were 28 times more influenza cases in Thailand than COVID-19, with 2% of influenza deaths worldwide. During the rainy season from June to September, but in the year 2020, many patients with the flu in January. And tends to decline in April. Because it was during the epidemic of COVID-19 Causing people to turn to pay more attention and take care of their health Wear more face masks When the epidemic situation is resolved, it may make Thais neglect health care. Therefore advising people to pay attention to protect themselves and their close people Should wear a mask regularly. Wash your hands often And avoid going in crowded places Including influenza vaccination To reduce the risk of contracting the flu with COVID-19 infection. There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19. That is currently spreading
At present, there are two types of influenza vaccine: three strains of influenza vaccine and four strains of influenza vaccine, with four strains able to cover up to 2 strains of the B virus. A Both H1N1 and H3N2 and B strains both the Victoria and Yamagata families, thus increasing their coverage of influenza virus pandemic. Resulting in a better risk of illness and death Therefore should be injected annually Due to the evolution of influenza virus that pandemic each year. They are different types of infection and some strains are difficult to predict outbreaks. Therefore, influenza vaccination should be vaccinated at all times and cover the strains expected to be pandemic in that year. As much as possible by injection once a year Which influenza vaccine can be injected all year round The suitable time is before the rainy season (May) and before winter. (October) because it is the beginning of an influenza pandemic.
Influenza vaccination It is one of the most cost effective ways to prevent influenza. It also has high security. Because it is a vaccine made from dead strains Deplete the ability to cause disease And also stimulate the body to build immunity The vaccine is effective in preventing disease in about 50-90 percent, but in the elderly and people with weak immunity. The response to the vaccine may be reduced. However, influenza vaccination is also useful in reducing the severity of complications. Opportunities for hospitalization And the death toll
Professor Thiraphong Tanthawichien, Head of Department of Internal Medicine Chulalongkorn University And Assistant Director of the Thai Red Cross Society revealed the situation of influenza vaccination among Thai people during the COVID-19 outbreak. During the lockdown, vaccinations were found in practice, similar to those in other countries. However, after the lockdown is released, there appears to be an interest in disease prevention. Especially preventing more respiratory infections or pneumonia and making influenza vaccination more intense, especially in the elderly or with congenital disease. Which Thai society is about to enter the aging society This makes it more dependent on public health, especially when suffering from illness. Therefore, education about health care in the elderly and prevention by vaccination to reduce the risk of infection. Or hospitalization is an important factor that will help reduce the suffering of the illness. As well as help reduce the burden of medical expenses as well
Immunization for the elderly and people with chronic diseases is currently supported in many countries. In Thailand, free support is provided to people at risk of serious illness. However, it is also found that the vaccination rate for the elderly or those with chronic disease is still lower than 60%. Therefore, there is a need to raise a broader understanding of the importance of effective disease prevention. severe And should start with the family This is an important starting point to help care for the elderly in the home to be healthy with basic factors through vaccination for better quality of life of the elderly. In cases where influenza is caused by a virus, it is transmitted by breathing or by touching a common contaminated object, the symptoms are usually mild. But if it occurs in the elderly with chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, emphysema, heart disease, chronic kidney failure. And people with immunodeficiency Or receiving immunosuppressants Including pregnant women There may be severe symptoms or complications, such as pneumonia, requiring hospitalization and death. In addition, vaccinations should be given to persons close to the elderly or a group of people with high risk factors, such as the elderly caregiver. Or take care of those patients Because there is a chance to infect people with high risk factors when they are also sick
Dr. Wongwat Liulak, Bangkok Inspector General Supervisory District Chief 3 said, “Bangkok has strong preventive measures. By preparing a surveillance system and controlling the spread of influenza In Bangkok area In addition, there are screening guidelines for influenza patients in hospitals under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration during the past situation of the COVID-19 epidemic and established respiratory disease clinics in all public health service centers (ARI Clinic). Filters all respiratory disease patients Not to enter the building of the hospital To reduce the transmission of both influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. In addition, public relations to educate people on health care to protect themselves from influenza. Including diseases that accompany the rainy season Through various online channels Continuously “
In addition, influenza vaccination services are offered to people at risk of receiving the vaccine, divided into seven groups: pregnant women, 4 months of pregnancy or more, children 6 months to 2 years old, chronic disease patients. Elderly people 65 years and over, people with aphasia who cannot help themselves Thalassemia and people with immunodeficiency (Including people infected with HIV with symptoms) and obesity (weight greater than 100 kg or BMI greater than 35 kg / m), who were allocated influenza vaccine. From the National Health Security Office (NHSO) in Bangkok Can pre-register to receive vaccination via Line: @ucbkk, create happiness, which has scheduled to start vaccination against seasonal influenza 3 strains from June 1, can go to the service at the Health Service Center, Health Office. All 68 hospitals in Bangkok And public hospitals across the country Without cost
Assoc. (Special) Dr. Taweechot Pittayasunon, MD. Concluded that “The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the world is at risk of facing a pandemic influenza epidemic. But the concern of the pandemic flu is There is no way of knowing in which country the pandemic influenza virus will be pandemic, and proper preparation will be made. As the influenza virus is mutated all the time, the WHO currently monitors and monitors influenza viruses, which are currently in operation in 153 institutions from 114 countries. Every year, WHO issues recommendations on which mutant strains should be used. It is included in the annual influenza vaccine list. As a Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education Therefore, I would like to recommend all people who have a chance to get vaccinated. In particular, among the seven vulnerable groups, they should receive a free yearly flu shot from the government. To reduce the severity of the complications And reduce the chance of loss of life
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