What is seasonal influenza (flu)?
Seasonal influenza, also known as flu, is caused by influenza viruses. It affects the respiratory system mainly nose and throat. The effect of the seasonal influenza can vary from mild to severe symptoms.
Is it a cold or flu?
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between a bad cold and flu. Both are respiratory illnesses, but are caused by different types of viruses. The symptoms are almost the same, but are more severe in flu. Most common symptoms in flu are high fever, body pains, extreme tiredness and dry cough. Whereas most common symptoms in common cold are headache, and runny or stuffy nose.
How dangerous is flu?
Most people with flu recover within a few days to 2 weeks of being infected. Others may develop serious health problems such as infections in the lung, ear, sinus and worsening of chronic health problems. Flu can be a life-threatening for some. Younger children, older adults and people with chronic health problems are more likely to develop flu complications.
How does flu spread?
Flu is a very contagious disease. A person may be infected with the flu by inhaling droplets made when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The flu virus can also be caught from touching a surface or object contaminated with the virus, and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
How to prevent flu?
- The seasonal influenza vaccine protects against common viruses that cause flu. The flu vaccine is updated yearly to include the main viruses causing flu each year.
- Cover the mouth when sneezing or coughing to reduce the spread of flu viruses.
- Regular hand washing with water and soap, and sanitation help in reducing the chances of becoming infected.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
- While sick, limit contact with other as much as possible to avoid infecting them.
How do flu vaccines work?
The Flu vaccine contains killed (inactivated), viruses that help the body to develop immunity about two weeks after vaccination. The body produces antibodies that give protection against the viruses that are in the vaccine.
The flu vaccine is being updated on yearly basis to protect against the main viruses causing flu each year.
Who should be vaccinated?
Everyone starting from the age of 6 months.
Vaccination is particularly important for the following groups as they at higher risk of getting influenza complications:
- Hajj and Umra pilgrims
- All healthcare workers
- Pregnant women
- All adults aged 65 years and older
- People under 65 years of age with high risk conditions such as:
- Taking treatments that weaken their immune system like radiation therapy and other treatment for cancer
- Having damaged spleen or removed spleen
- HIV infection or AIDS
- Chronic alcoholism
- Having long-term health problems (chronic disease):
- Heart disease
- Chronic lung disease (including Asthma)
- Chronic liver disease
- Kidney disease
Why should people get Seasonal Influenza (Flu) vaccine?
Every flu season is different, and many people are getting flu every year. Influenza symptoms vary between people, some have mild symptoms, some may need to be hospitalized, and some can even die from flu-related complications. Those who get flu whether with symptoms or without, can spread the disease to others.
Yearly flu vaccination is essential to reduce the risk of getting flu and spread the infection to others. When many people are vaccinated, flu infection is less likely to spread in the community.
Can flu vaccine give me flu?
The flu vaccine will not give you the flu because the vaccine contains noninfectious particles of the virus, which merely alert the body to the threat of the virus. They cannot actually cause you to get flu.
When should I get vaccinated?
You should get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available. It is highly recommended to take the flu vaccine before winter, by September – October.
If you haven’t got the vaccine this season, you should get it now. You can still get the benefit of flu vaccine, even if you were vaccinated later. The flu vaccine gives protection throughout the current flu season.
How many doses of flu vaccine is required?
People need to take 1 dose of flu vaccine every year. However, children below 9 years need to take 2 doses of the vaccine, 4 weeks apart, if they are taking the flu vaccine for the first time.
Why babies below 6 months cannot get flu vaccine? How they can be protected?
Flu vaccine is licensed to be given to people starting from 6 months. The best way to protect those younger than 6 months is through taking mothers flu vaccine during pregnancy, so antibodies can pass from the mother to her baby. Added to that, making sure that other people around the baby are also vaccinated, including family members, relatives and caregivers.
Where can I get flu vaccine?
The vaccine is given free of charge to all nationals and non-nationals in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This vaccine is currently available at healthcare centers under Abu Dhabi Health Services Company – SEHA.
Who should not be vaccinated?
- Babies below 6 months.
- People with severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine or to a previous dose of the vaccine.
- Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) less than 6 weeks after a previous dose of influenza vaccine.
- Moderate or severe acute illness with or without fever.
Are flu vaccines safe?
Flu vaccines have good safety record. Hundreds of millions of people have safely received flu vaccines over the past 50 years, and there has been extensive research supporting the safety of flu vaccines.
A flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your chances of getting the flu and spreading it to others.
Vaccines are safe and effective. Before licensing any vaccine, it is tested extensively for many years. Once a vaccine is in use, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, along with other national and international authorities, are committed to assuring the safety of vaccine through strict monitoring systems.
What are the side effects Flu vaccine?
The vaccine is like any other medicine and could cause some side-effects. The risk of severe reaction is very rare. Some minor side effects may occur following a flu shot, including redness or pain in the injected area, low grade fever, and aches.
These are mild and short lasting side effects, especially when compared to the symptoms of severe flu.
Is it safe for pregnant women to get a flu shot?
Yes. Flu shots have been given to millions of pregnant women over many years with a good safety record. There is a large body of scientific studies that supports the safety of flu vaccine in pregnant women and their babies.
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi along with other national and international authorities, are committed to assuring the safety of vaccines in use through strict monitoring systems.
Do flu vaccines contain thimerosal?
Thimerosal use in vaccines and other medical products as a preservative in multi-dose vials, it has a record of being very safe. The available flu vaccines in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are single dose pre-filled syringes and do not contain a thimerosal.
Should I still get vaccinated if I am sick?
If you are sick at the time you are scheduled to be vaccinated, talk to the doctor about whether you can go ahead or if you will need to reschedule the appointment until you recover.
Can I get a flu vaccine if I am allergic to eggs?
People with severe allergic reaction to egg, can be vaccinated under the supervision of the healthcare providers who are able to recognize and manage adverse reactions following immunization