A guide to influenza 2022-2022. How it will be (even with respect to the Covid-19 pandemic), how to strengthen the immune system, what vaccines are available, how to prevent it, how to relieve symptoms, how much to stay at home when you get the flu.
In this article
- Influence 2022-2022, how it will be
- How to strengthen the immune system
- Flu and vaccinations
- Myths about the flu to dispel
- Flu and pregnancy
- Flu and newborn
- Flu and children
Influence 2022-2022: how it will be
What will this flu season be like? Is it already possible to predict it? With Australia out of the winter we can take stock of what it could be like here too. The data is amazing. If in August 2022, the confirmed cases of influenza registered in Australia had been 61 thousand, in August of this year they were alone 107. According to experts, this is an effect due to the rigid anti-Covid-19 measures implemented from March onwards and the massive adhesion to the campaign of flu vaccination. And the situation could turn out to be similar here too.
"I flu viruses in circulation in Australia - three new viruses, two type A and one type B - could have given rise to a rather intense flu season "said the virologist in an interview on our website Fabrizio Pregliasco, medical director of the Irccs Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute and researcher at the University of our city. "Instead, things went much better than expected."
Generally children are the most affected by seasonal flu, but it is reasonable to think, thanks to the anti-Covid measures, that what happened in Australia will also happen to us.
The characteristics of the flu virus and vaccinations in the special on what the flu will be like this year.
Influenza-like viruses and influenza viruses: the differences
Influenza-like viruses work very well when there are gods temperature changes, while actual flu viruses work best in temperatures that remain low for an extended period.
The 10 tips to strengthen the immune defenses of children
There are particularly fragile children who often get sick. Here's how to help them cope with the succession of recurring infections, including lifestyle recommendations and proposals for immunostimulating supplements.
- Delaying entry to nursery or school if possible. Some babies, even very young ones, still react well to the nursery and get little sick, while others get sick more. For the latter, if possible, you can try keep them at home a little longer.
- Do not force convalescence times, if the child has not recovered, it is better to stay calm at home.
- Open windows
- Sleep and eat well: a healthy diet, rich in fruit and vegetables, guarantees a good one intake of vitamin Cwhich is important for the prevention of infections.
- Wash your hands often. To do it: wet them, distribute the soap well on the back, palm and spaces between the fingers, rub and rinse.
- Stay outdoors as much as possible
- Yes to vitamins (without DIY). Vitamin C and Vitamin D they are important for the prevention of infections, and children are often deficient.
- Evaluate probiotics or immunostimulants
- Beware of herbal products. Herbs they work and are not toxic when taken at particular dosages, but it must be a doctor expert in phytotherapy to prescribe them and it is he who must be contacted to use them.
If the child has tested positive for Covid, when can he go back to school?
To return to school it will be necessary to wait for clinical recovery (i.e. the total absence of symptoms). Confirmation of healing requires the carrying out of two swabs 24 hours apart. If both swabs are negative, the person can be called cured, otherwise the isolation will continue.
If, on the other hand, the nasoloro-pharyngeal swab is negative, the test is repeated after 2-3 days. However, the subject must remain at home until clinical recovery and negative confirmation of the second test.
Influenza 2022/2022 and available vaccines
There is a free flu vaccination campaign, but who exactly is it for? And what should you do if you want to get vaccinated but don't belong to a risk category?
Some categories of people who are particularly at risk of contracting the flu or developing complications if they fall ill are offered an active and free vaccination by the National Health Service.
The categories are:
- women pregnant;
- children (over six months), teens and adults with diseases that increase the risk of complications influenza (respiratory, heart, kidney, liver, blood, immune system, cancer, etc.);
- subjects with 65 years or older;
- children and adolescents on long-term treatment with acetylsalicylic acid;
- people hospitalized in long-term care wards;
- doctors and health personnel;
- family members of high-risk individuals;
- people who carry out work of collective interest or potentially in contact with non-human influenza viruses (farmers, veterinarians, etc.);
- blood donors.
Those who are not part of these categories can still do the vaccination, providing for the cost of the vaccine.
Influenza vaccine and Covid-19
According to the Ministry of Health, the flu shot will be even more important than usual in the coming months. Not only to prevent cases of influenza and reduce complications from influenza in people at risk, but also to simplify the diagnosis and management of suspected cases, given the similar symptoms between Covid-19 and influenza.
Read also: postponement of vaccinations, when necessaryBaby thermometer: which one to use
Infrared, ear, digital, mercury, liquid crystal or galinstane thermometer What is the best thermometer for measuring fever in children? And how is it measured? And what should be avoided?
Go ahead using the digital thermometer in the axillary area because as well as being rapid it gives a margin of error that is not very significant from a strictly clinical point of view. Rectal or oral measurement not recommended.
Why in the axillary area?
Measuring the fever in other locations (auricular, frontal, inguinal) does not offer the same reliability.
Influence, myths to dispel
The flu isn't just a bad cold, and it's not enough to stay in the cold to catch it. The antibiotic should not be taken by default after three days of fever and the vaccine does not make you sick: these are just some of the myths about seasonal flu according to the WHO.
The five ways to protect yourself from the flu according to the WHO:
- get the flu shot,
- avoid being close to sick people,
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth often because this way germs are more likely to enter the body,
- disinfect surfaces if you share a house with someone who is sick,
- wash your hands often.
Flu in pregnancy: how to behave
Does anything change when you are expecting a baby? The experts' recommendation is to get vaccinated: the flu is not harmful to the fetus, but it could put a slightly higher risk of complications for the mother. The same goes for vaccination when looking for a baby.
What if the flu still comes? Better to stay at home until the complete remission of symptoms without expecting to accelerate healing and use paracetamol to lower the fever and relieve any pain.
How to distinguish Covid-19 from the flu?
Unfortunately it is impossible to distinguish them based on the symptoms. The only one tool that allows to distinguish the two cases possible is the nasopharyngeal swab.
Flu and babies: how to prevent it and what to do if they get it
A few simple rules - wash your hands often, avoid too close contact, avoid closed and crowded places - can reduce the risk of transmitting the flu virus to a newborn baby. And if there are older brothers or sisters, it may be worth considering keeping them at home for a few days from school when the epidemic is at its peak.
Read the in-depth information on the rules of prevention (even in pregnancy) and on the importance of always washing your hands well.
The newborn has the flu, what to do?
If the newborn has the flu, notify the pediatrician, who will most likely ask to be able to visit him, to evaluate his condition. If there are just a little bit of cough and cold, you do not need to do anything special, except to help the child breathe better, with a nasal aspirator or, if he tolerates them well, with nasal washes (delicate and with a few drops of physiological solution).
It is definitely necessary to go to the pediatrician if breathing difficulties are observed (wheezing or frequent breathing) which can worsen rapidly while if the child is less than a month old and has a fever above 38 ° C the indication is to go immediately to the emergency room.
Influenza children, remedies to relieve symptoms
The flu is about to return. Between colds, coughs, sore throats and fatigue, the discomfort can be great.
If you get sick, the better use symptomatic medications - for example antipyretics - responsibly, to alleviate the symptoms without breaking them down completely, di follow the progress of the disease avoiding, as far as possible, going back to school or work too early (which is very difficult to do this year, due to anti-Covid measures), and do not use antibiotics (unless your doctor indicates otherwise, due to the presence of bacterial superinfections).
Cough, cold or flu? Tips to immediately feel better
Drink a lot, rest, try chicken soup or a hot drink. Relax and take a hot shower. Do you feel a little better? Here are some tips for those with a cold right now
11 PHOTOSInfluenza: 11 Ways To Relieve Your Baby's Symptoms
go to the galleryCold, cough, sore throat, earache and fever. Or vomiting and diarrhea. During the winter, children often get sick from influenza and non-influenza viruses. In most ...
TAG:
- influence
- 3-5 children years
