Who's afraid of influenza?

Imagine a world in which influenza does not exist. People are exposed neither to its direct effects nor to its sequelae such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

We are no longer threatened by otitis media, which can lead to partial hearing loss, or such dangerous complications as meningitis, encephalitis, myocarditis or epileptic seizures in chronic patients. The autumn and winter period goes by without weakness or infection, and we have the energy to pursue our passions.

This futuristic vision is still just a dream for most of us. In reality, around 100 million people contract the flu every year. The disease is also one of the most important causes of acute complications and human mortality. There is no 100 per cent protection against the flu virus. However, very good preventive measures are already at our disposal. The most effective method of combating influenza is the well-known but still underestimated vaccination. Their aim is not only to avoid getting ill, but above all to avoid complications.

The effectiveness of flu vaccines is around 70%, a figure that other preparations cannot even come close to. For children, people over 50 and people vulnerable to complications of influenza, vaccination is not only the most effective, but in fact the only effective method of prevention. For the sake of their health, everyone in professions where they come into contact with many people on a daily basis (teachers, doctors, nurses, inspectors, salespeople), people with chronic illnesses (diabetes, asthma, kidney or respiratory failure) and women planning a pregnancy during the flu season should also be vaccinated. Even if we do not belong to any of the above groups, influenza vaccination should be our annual habit, as the virus is transmitted by the droplet route and we are all exposed to it. By getting vaccinated, we avoid complications and keep our loved ones safe.

The best time to be vaccinated is the first half of autumn. It takes about two weeks before full immunity is acquired, so it is not worth putting off this decision until the last minute, i.e. the start of the flu season. However, even vaccination at the time when the incidence of the disease increases is not a missed opportunity. Antibodies are produced as early as seven days after vaccination, so even receiving the vaccine at the end of the year can save us from influenza.

The timeliness of the vaccine is also an important issue. Influenza is a virus that is constantly mutating, so laboratories take samples from patients every year and test the viruses found there. Always buy only the latest vaccines, as those from last year are already outdated and their antibodies do not guarantee the highest protection.

However, vaccination, despite its effectiveness, has some limitations. People with hypersensitivity to egg white (on which the influenza viruses are bred) and those who have had allergic reactions after previous vaccination cannot be vaccinated. Caution should be taken when vaccinating children before the age of six months, and women in their first trimester of pregnancy. In such cases, it is best to consult a doctor.

By ignoring flu prevention, however, we may lose much more than money. We are putting an immeasurable value on our health and that of our loved ones. Deluding ourselves that the flu does not affect us is a serious mistake. When we sneeze, the flu virus is transmitted at a speed of more than 150 km/h. 

In addition, it persists for a very long time in the body of an infected person, making it more likely to infect others. It is often confused with the common cold and thus underestimated. If left untreated, it leads to life-threatening complications. It is safer, cheaper and simply better to prevent influenza than to treat it. That is why it is worth doing everything possible to reduce the risk of infection to a minimum by getting vaccinated.