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1. Misconceptions associated with influenza and the truth behind them. (Part3)

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Is the influenza vaccination advised for all travellers?

NO

Then

Which travelers are recommended to get influenza vaccine?

Any person who is planning to travel, failed to get vaccinated in the previous vaccination season. Recommendations for influenza vaccination of people who have already become ill with influenza during the season. More than one type or subtype of influenza virus can circulate in any given influenza season. Hence vaccination to unvaccinated people throughout the influenza season must be considered. Including people who may have had an influenza illness already in the season.

How long does immunity from influenza vaccine last?

Protection from influenza vaccine wanes over time post-vaccination but generally persists for at least 5-6 months. Every year, it's recommended to get a flu shot, and the best time to do so is at the tail end of October.

The flu shot is designed to protect people from the flu for at least six months. However, research has shown that in people aged 65 and over, the effects of the vaccine may start to wear off sooner than usual. This is because as people age, their immune response to vaccines tends to weaken. As a result, older people are more susceptible to severe illness than younger people.

Healthcare professionals typically vaccinate most people in October, when flu activity typically increases. This ensures that their immunity will last until the following April.

MISCONCEPTIONS

MYTH : All People who are Vaccinated develop flu like symptoms.

FACT : Less than 1% of people who are vaccinated with the injectable vaccine develop flu-like symptoms

MYTH : Vaccines can be harmful and may have negative effects on health.

FACT : These side effects are not the same as having influenza. While most people don't experience any serious side effects from getting a flu vaccine, some may feel soreness, fever, muscle pain, and general discomfort or weakness for 1-2 days after the injection. These side effects are usually much less severe than the actual flu illness and typically go away relatively quickly. The risk of a flu vaccine causing serious harm or death is incredibly small. In fact, millions of people in the US and around the world safely receive flu vaccines every year.

MYTH : Every year, a flu shot is not essential.

FACT : Protective immunity doesn't develop until 1–2 weeks after vaccination. The immunity you get from the flu vaccine declines over time, so it's important to get vaccinated every year. The vaccine may be different each year, so it's important to get vaccinated each year to match the flu viruses that are going around.

MYTH : Vaccinated people do not get infected

FACT : People who get vaccinated later in the season (December or later) may be infected with influenza virus shortly afterward. These late vaccines develop influenza because they were exposed to someone with the virus before they became immune.If they get any viral illness, they may blame it on flu vaccine or think they got "the flu" despite being vaccinated.

MYTH : Vaccinated other viral infection will not occur.

FACT : Influenza vaccine only protects against certain influenza viruses, not all viruses.

MYTH : Influenza vaccine is 100% Protactive.

FACT : Influenza vaccination is our best protection against influenza disease; however, some people who are vaccinated will still get influenza illness despite vaccination

Connect with @BridgeHealth, and stay up to date on Holistic health, medical advancements, Preventive healthcare tips and current health & wellness topics. We appreciate you taking the time to read our blog; please share your comments below

Written by: Dr. Vedavathi N

Consultant Physician – Bridge Health

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2. Increase your Right IQ on flu shots (Part2)

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Overview

The four influenza viruses that, according to studies, will be most prevalent throughout the following season are the target of influenza vaccinations, sometimes known as "flu shots." The majority of flu vaccinations are administered with a needle, often in the arm, although there is also a nasal spray vaccine available.

• Influenza (flu) vaccines - often called “flu shots”

• Vaccines that protect against the four influenza viruses

• Most flu vaccines are “flu shots” given with a needle, usually in the arm,

• But there also is a nasal spray flu vaccine.

Types of Influenza Vaccine:

There are 2 basic types of influenza vaccine:

• Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV)

• Live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV)

Inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV)

The viruses included in these vaccines are inactivated so they do not cause influenza, although minor side effects may occur including local reactions at the injection site.

IIV is approved for

• Use in persons 6 months and older,

• Pregnant women

• Persons with chronic medical conditions.

IIV is given as

• One dose, injected into the deltoid thigh or muscle.

• Influenza vaccination in pregnancy will protect both the mother and her new-born against influenza.

Live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV)

• Made from attenuated, or weakened, viruses

• Can cause mild signs or symptoms

• Including rhinorrhoea, nasal congestion, fever or sore throat.

LAIV is approved for

• Use only in persons aged 2–49 years who do not have underlying medical conditions.

• The vaccine should, however, not be administered to pregnant women.

LAIV is given

• As a nasal spray, 1 dose only

• Bt children aged 2–8 years who have not received seasonal influenza vaccine during the previous influenza season should receive 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart.

DOSE OF VACCINE

• The influenza vaccine is given yearly.

• For IIV, the dose is :

• 0.25 ml or 0.50 ml IM for children aged 6 to 35 months​

• 0.5 mL IM for people ≥ 3 years​

• 0.1 mL ID for people aged 18 to 64 years,

{given intradermally}​

• Children aged 6 months to 8 years who have received fewer than 2 influenza vaccine doses or whose influenza vaccination history is unknown should receive 2 doses, separated by at least 4 weeks.

• For LAIV, the dose is 0.1 Ml sprayed into each nostril (the total dose is 0.2 mL).​

• For RIV4, the dose is: 0.5 mL IM.​

PREPARATIONS OF VACCINES

Standard-dose flu shots

Afluria Quadrivalent, Fluarix Quadrivalent, FluLaval Quadrivalent, and Fluzone Quadrivalent

• They are manufactured using virus grown in eggs

• These vaccines are approved for use in children as young as 6 months.​

• Most flu shots are given in the arm (muscle) with a needle.​

• Afluria Quadrivalent can be given either with a needle​ (for people 6 months and older) or with a jet injector​ (for people 18 through 64 years only).​

Cell-based flu shot

Flucelvax Quadrivalent

• Containing virus is grown in cell culture, ​

• This is approved for people 6 months and older.​

• This vaccine is completely egg-free.​

Egg-based high dose flu shot

Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent

• Approved for use in people 65 years and older.​​

• This vaccine contains four times the antigen than other standard-dose inactivated flu vaccines,

• Creates a stronger immune response.

Egg-based adjuvanted flu shot

Fluad Quadrivalent

• This is approved for people 65 years and older.​​​

• This vaccine is made with an adjuvant​​​ (an ingredient that helps create a stronger immune response).​

Recombinant flu shot

Flu Blok Quadrivalent

• Completely egg-free flu​​ shot that is made using ​​recombinant technology​​

• Approved for use in people 18 years and older.​​

• This shot is made without flu viruses and contains three times the antigen than other standard-dose inactivated flu vaccines,

• To help create a stronger immune response.

Egg-based live attenuated flu nasal spray vaccine

FluMist Quadrivalent

• Made with attenuated (weakened) live flu viruses,

• Which is approved for use in people 2 years through 49 years.

• This vaccine is not recommended for use in pregnant people, immunocompromised people, or people with certain medical conditions.​​​

VACCINE FOR > 65 YRS

• Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine

• Flu Blok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine

• Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine

VACCINE FOR CHILDREN

Four egg-based quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV4s)

• Afluria Quadrivalent (Seqirus) : 0.25 mL/dose for age 6 through 35 months;
  0.5 mL/dose for age 3 years and older

• Fluarix Quadrivalent (GSK) : 0.5 mL/dose for age 6 months and older

• FluLaval Quadrivalent (GSK) : 0.5 mL/dose for age 6 months and older

• Fluzone Quadrivalent (Sanofi) : 0.25 mL or 0.5 mL per dose for age 6 through 35 months;
  0.5 mL/dose age 3 years and older

• Flucelvax Quadrivalent (ccIIV4, Seqirus) cell-based vaccine (no egg antigen) : is 0.5 mL/dose (IM)

• FluMist Quadrivalent (LAIV4, AstraZeneca) egg-based live nasal spray vaccine is 0.2 mL (intranasal, 0.1 mL in each nostril) for healthy, non-pregnant children age 2 years and older.

• All given intramuscular (IM) injections,​​​ are available for children aged 6 months and older​

VACCINE FOR ADULTS

• VACCINE FOR ADULTS : 0.5 mL/dose

• Fluarix Quadrivalent (GSK) : 0.5 mL/dose

• FluLaval Quadrivalent (GSK) : 0.5 mL/dose

• Fluzone Quadrivalent (Sanofi) : 0.5 mL/dose

• Flucelvax Quadrivalent (ccIIV4, Seqirus) cell-based vaccine (no egg antigen) : 0.5 mL/dose (IM) for age 6 months and older.

• Flu Blok Quadrivalent (RIV4, Sanofi): recombinant, egg-free vaccine : 0.5 mL/dose (given IM) for all adults age 18 years and older.

• Flu Mist Quadrivalent (LAIV4, AstraZeneca): egg-based, live nasal spray vaccine is : 0.2 mL (given intranasally, 0.1 mL in each nostril) for healthy, non-pregnant adults through age 49 years.

• Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent (egg-based HD-IIV4, Sanofi): 0.7 mL (given IM), for adults age 65 years and older.

• Fluad Quadrivalent (egg-based aIIV4, Seqirus): 0.5 mL (given IM), for adults age 65 years and older.

Who all should get vaccine

• Children aged ​​​6 months through 4 years​

• People aged 50 years and older​​

• People with chronic pulmonary diseases including asthma​​ cardiovascular (except isolated hypertension), ​renal, hepatic, neurologic, hematologic, ​and metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus ​

• People who are immunosuppressed​ due to any cause || ​including immunosuppression caused by medications ​|| human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection​

People who are or will be pregnant during the influenza season and people up to two weeks after delivery.

• People who are aged 6 months through 18 years: Who are receiving aspirin or salicylate-containing medications

• People who are: Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities​​​

• American Indian or Alaska Native persons.

• People with extreme obesity: body-mass index [BMI] is 40 or greater

• Health care personnel

• Adults aged 50 years and older: with medical conditions that put them at increased risk for severe illness and complications from influenza

Who all should get vaccine

• People who are aged 6 months through 18 years: who are receiving aspirin or salicylate-containing medications​​

• People who are residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities​​​

• American Indian or Alaska Native persons.

• People with extreme obesity: body-mass index [BMI] is 40 or greater​

• Health care personnel

• Adults aged 50 years and older​ with medical conditions​​​ that put them at increased risk for severe illness and complications from influenza.

People who SHOULD NOT get a flu shot

• Children​ younger than 6 months of age.​​​​

• People with​ severe, life-threatening allergies​​​ to any ingredient in a flu vaccine (other than egg proteins)​

• People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a dose of influenza vaccine

People who should talk to their health care provider before getting a flu shot:

• If you have an​ allergy to eggs or any of the ingredients​​​ in the vaccine.​​

• If you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome — GB SYNDROME.​​​​

• If you had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of any other flu vaccine​​​​​

• If you are​ not feeling well,​​​ talk to your doctor about your symptoms.​​​

• Nasal Spray

IDEAL TIME FOR VACCINE

• September to end of October.

• Should continue as long as influenza viruses are circulating and unexpired vaccine is available.

• Early vaccination​ has been associated with​​​ decreased vaccine effectiveness ​​​

• Vaccination in​ July and August should be avoided except in the following conditions​ ​|| third trimester of pregnancy to allow time for protective maternal antibodies to transfer to the fetus ​​​​

• Children younger than 9 years old who need two doses of vaccine this season should receive their first dose as soon as possible so that they can get their second dose before the end of October.

• Children who need only one dose also can be vaccinated in July or August.

Can other vaccines be given along with flu vaccine

Yes

• Any vaccine may be given on the same day or any day before or after COVID-19​ vaccination, at a different anatomic site.​​​​

• IIV4 and RIV4 can be administered without regard to the timing of other live or inactivated vaccines.

• Injectable vaccines should be administered in separate anatomic sites when given on the same day.

• LAIV4 may be given on the same day as any other live or inactivated vaccines.​

• If two live vaccines are not given on the same day, they should be separated by at least 4 weeks.​

Connect with @BridgeHealth, and stay up to date on Holistic health, medical advancements, Preventive healthcare tips and current health & wellness topics. We appreciate you taking the time to read our blog; please share your comments below

Written by: Dr. Vedavathi N

Consultant Physician – Bridge Health

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3. Flu Warning Signs for 2022 that You Should Be Aware Of! (Part1)

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Overview

Influenza commonly known as "the flu“:

• an Infectious disease caused by Influenza viruses.

Flu (influenza) is a respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat and lungs. Influenza is commonly called the flu, but it's not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

While most people who contract the flu will eventually recover on their own, there are some instances where the virus can lead to complications which could be deadly. The flu and its complications are more likely to be fatal in certain groups of people, which include

If you fit into one of these groups, it's critical to take extra precautions to ward against the flu, to seek emergency medical help at the first sign of symptoms.

If you have any flu symptoms and are at risk of complications, it's best to see a health care provider right away. Taking antiviral medication may help shorten the length of your illness and prevent more-serious problems.

If you have emergency symptoms of the flu, get medical care immediately.

Symptoms: The flu may initially seem like a cold - with a runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat - but it comes on suddenly and is much worse than a cold. Colds develop slowly, but the flu hits you all at once and can really knock you down for the count.

Common symptoms of the flu include:

• Begin from one to four days after exposure and last for about 2–8 days.

• Mild to severe

• Fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, coughing, and fatigue.

• Diarrhoea and vomiting can occur, particularly in children.

Complications:

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis,

• Worsening of pre-existing health problems such as asthma and cardiovascular disease.

Types of Flu:

There are four types of influenza viruses: A, B, C and D. Out of these four, human influenza A and B viruses are responsible for causing seasonal epidemics almost every winter in India. These episodes of disease (known as flu season) are usually characterized by a spike in respiratory illness and sometimes even death. Influenza A viruses have shown to be the only type of influenza virus that has the potential to cause a pandemic, or in other words, a global epidemic of flu disease.

Influenza A and B viruses circulate and cause seasonal epidemics of disease.

Transmission:

Flu viruses are mainly spread by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can land on other people nearby (usually within about 6 feet away) or be inhaled into the lungs. Sometimes, a person might get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES:

There are several personal measures that people may take to reduce their risk of acquiring influenza, in addition to vaccination. Some simple steps include washing your hands regularly, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. By taking these precautions, you can help protect yourself and others from the flu.

Protective precautions you may take on your own are-

• Early self-isolation of those with symptoms of influenza​

• Avoiding close contact with sick people

• Avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose or mouth

Connect with @BridgeHealth, and stay up to date on Holistic health, medical advancements, Preventive healthcare tips and current health & wellness topics. We appreciate you taking the time to read our blog; please share your comments below

Written by: Dr. Vedavathi N

Consultant Physician – Bridge Health