One of the most dangerous viral infections of the respiratory tract is influenza. Because so far no fully safe and cheap medicines have been developed that effectively destroy influenza viruses, vaccination is the best way to prevent illness.
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT VACCINE AGAINST INFLUENZA VIRUSES
Viruses that cause influenza
The flu is caused by the influenza virus type A, B or C from the Ortomyxoviridae family. A special feature of influenza viruses is their variability, which causes difficulties in combating this disease. For men, A and B viruses are dangerous, and particularly dangerous, because of the severity of symptoms, the severity of complications and the induction of mass epidemics is type A virus.
Vaccinations against influenza A and B are recommended.
What are influenza A and B vaccines? - Popularly speaking, these are biological preparations used in the immunization of organisms against specific microorganisms. They contain antigens, i.e. certain components of influenza A viruses that are introduced into the body and prepare it for specific defense. They usually also contain an inactivated influenza B antigen, which also makes this type of infection resistant. Thanks to this, they protect us from getting sick, or they make the disease much easier and without complications.
What types of flu vaccines are available?
Currently, the most common are split or subunit vaccines. They are highly purified and contain inactivated (inactivated) viruses of the most common types recently. Due to the high variability of the virus, the composition of the vaccine changes every year. Since the Hong Kong influenza, they are always ternary, determined based on predictions of what type of virus can activate in a given season.
Is the vaccine dangerous to health?
The adverse effect of vaccines is a myth. 96 people in 100 are well tolerated, although some patients may have post-vaccination reactions, such as swelling and redness at the injection site. Occasionally, you may have transient flu-like symptoms that pass quickly and are harmless to your health.
Are there any other dangers and contraindications?
There is a small probability of a negative reaction to the vaccine - associated with allergy to egg white, which is a breeding medium for the inactivation of influenza viruses. In these cases, a doctor should be consulted about the possible use of the vaccine. Occasionally, slight swelling of the graft site lasting several days may occur after the procedure. But what does this reaction to a vaccine mean to the protection it gives to older people who suffer from severe chronic diseases and those who have reduced resistance to disease. Often, this applies to children after antibiotic treatments. It is also advisable to vaccinate pregnant women because it also protects the newborn for the first few months of life.
Contraindications
Contraindication to the administration of the vaccine is allergy to egg protein, non-viral components of the vaccine, some antibiotics used in the production of the preparation, infection with high fever. Also, people who have had side effects after previous vaccination should not be vaccinated.
Can you buy a vaccine yourself and get vaccinated?
It is possible, for example, after obtaining a prescription from a doctor. However, it must be known that transport and storage of the vaccine requires the appropriate temperature conditions (storage in a refrigerator, because the vaccine is destroyed very quickly at room temperature), therefore it is better to use the preparations offered at the vaccination points.
