It is the season for sniffing, stunned throat and itchy inner ears, and we don’t want to sound like your family doctor here, but … Have you already received your flu vaccination? The best time to get it is in front of the flu/cold strikes Dr. Gulam Karim, Medical Director at Trumd, an innovative health platform that offers instant virtual consultations through a team of certified medical specialists and wellness experts.
According to the National Ministry of Health, between 6,000 and 11,000 South Africans die from the flu every year – and 50% of the cases die of older people from these deaths. If you are a little hesitant to cut off a needle, we get it (after all, only get used to a needles). The flu report can also feel crappy with some mild side effects that normally disappear after a day or two. We come to the basics …
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What is flu?
The most important thing first is the flu for influenza. “It is caused by a virus called Haemophilus influenza, which has different tribes from year to year. These different tribes develop into viruses that attack people.
There are also those populations that are more susceptible than others, according to Dr. Gulam. “These are people with diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases or immune functions such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis,” he says, adding that a normal flu virus usually lasts three to four days and goes away with only basic over -operating treatment.
“The percentage of people who die from influenza is very small – unless they have a simultaneous illness that is one of them.”
Dr. Gulam Karim, medical director at Trumd
What exactly is in a flu shot?
The flu vaccine is actually manufactured using specific virus strains, says Dr. Gulam. “Let us assume that there were three different but usual tribes all over the world last year, then these three are used to create a viral vaccine or a weakened virus. The viruses are multiplied or avoided millions of times that make them weak. Experience side effects. What is injected into your body in the form of a flu fuss does not harm, since it is a completely weakened virus. Funded after a flu recovery has recovered from the flu.
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Can a flu vaccination replace a good diet?
In any case, not, Chimes in Dr. Tamsin Lee, senior doctor at Trumd. “Nothing could ever replace a good, nutritious nutrition and nutritional supplements (if your trust in them!). Vitamin C and other micronutrients have different physical functions than protecting them from illness and pathogens,” says Dr. Lee and urges us to consider the flu vaccine as a precaution. “It protects against serious illnesses and influenza complications such as pneumonia by preventing the hospital stay,” she warns.
Dr. Gulam adds: “If the flu does not improve after two to three days, we strongly recommend seeing a doctor. Nutrition, bed rest and basic treatment to prevent the flu from becoming pneumonic. Even if it is a viral pneumonia, this only means that you. Infection.”
“It is important to eat fresh vegetables and fruit during the flu.”
Dr. Karim Gulam, medical director at Trumd
What side effects should I look out for?
The more common side effects are things like a minor fever, muscle pain, headache, very mild flu -like symptoms, but they usually do not last longer than a day or two, says Dr. Lee.
1. Shoulder pain
If you receive the flu vaccination as an intramuscular injection (also known as in your arm), according to the CDC you have a chance of 10 to 64 percent to experience some sore muscles in your upper arm.
This is because the needle is injected directly into the muscle, which leads to microscopic damage to the cells and is designed in such a way that they cause an inflammatory reaction of the immune system. You can take a over -the -counter pain reliever while waiting for the pain to fade. However, if the pain is very noticeable or reduce your mobility, Dr. Amesh Adalja, a doctor for infectious diseases, review with your doctor.
2. Reding or swelling at the injection site
Whenever you pierce the skin and put something in the body, this can lead to a topical reaction, says Dr. Adalja. This is only a sign that your immune system activates. But the reddening and swelling in which your shot was administered is a frequent side effect that usually only lasts a few days. It will disappear by itself, but if you really annoy you, you can take ibuprofen or paracetamol.
3. Body pain
Any vaccine can lead to body pain due to the way they activate the immune system, says Dr. Adalja. If you feel sore than your arm in other places, it is usually nothing you have to worry about, even though Dr. Adalja determines that the flu vaccination takes two weeks to be completely effective. Your bodyache could be a sign of the actual flu, since the virus tribes are likely to circulate by time when you get the vaccine.
“The flu shot takes two weeks to become completely effective …”
Dr. Amesh Adalja, doctor for infectious diseases In the John Hopkins Center of Health Security
4. Itching at the injection site or a full body rash
This would signal an allergic reaction, but “it is very rare to have an allergic reaction to the flu vaccination,” notes Dr. Adalja. “There are many myths about egg allergies and the vaccine,” he explains – because most flu vaccinations and nasal sprays are produced using technology, which contains small amounts of egg proteins, as the CDC explains.
“If you can eat scrambled eggs, you will not have a problem with the flu shot,” says Dr. Adalja. If you have a confirmed egg allergy, you can still get the shot per CDC.
However, if you experience serious itching at the injection site, a rash in your body or signs of anaphylactic shock, you are looking for immediate medical help. And if you have had an allergic reaction to the flu book in the past, you are among the few groups of people who recommend the CDC to skip the flu vaccination.
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5. Fever
You will probably not get a fever because of the vaccine, but if you do this, it should be low (i.e. less than 38 degrees). If it is higher, do not accuse your flu shot – you probably have a completely independent illness. “Remember that you get the vaccine at the peak of the airway virus season,” says Dr. Adalja. “So maybe you have incubated another virus [without knowing it]. “”
And again (for the people in the back!): The flu intake cannot give you the flu. While some flu vaccines contain virus tribes, they are not living tribes so that you cannot get sick. In the meantime, some flu photos do not contain the virus at all (they contain only a specific protein from the influenza virus), according to the CDC.
6. Dizziness or fainting
This is less a side effect of the vaccine itself as a side effect of a needle phobia, explains Dr. Adalja. If you believe that you may have a stress response or fainting, give your health service provider upside down so that you can make sure that you are sitting after the shot to prevent an injury.
“If the side effects of the flu vaccine deteriorate, last longer or do not react to basic symptomatic treatment such as paracetamol, liquids and beds, it is advisable to look for medical interventions as soon as possible.”
Dr. Tamsin Lee, senior doctor, at Trumd
When should I take my side effects seriously?
Very important to consider if the symptoms worsen, stay longer or do not respond to basic symptomatic treatment such as paracetamol, liquids and bed rest, it is advisable to search for medical interventions as soon as possible. “A very rare side effect is probably an anaphylactic or allergic reaction. For this reason, it is important for the doctors to take a patient’s medical history to ensure that they have no egg protein allergy,” says Dr. Lee.
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Not on the flu?
A healthy and balanced diet can still make miracles by strengthening your immune system and helping to combat flu (and other infections), notes Dr. Karim. Simply make sure that your diet has enough vitamins C and B6, zinc, iron and selenium under other nutrients.
“The problem is that a large part of our food is modified – and sometimes we don’t really know what we eat. It is important to eat fresh vegetables and fruit during the flu period. As a rule, all vitamins that are needed to maintain a healthy immune system”, Dr. Karim. He adds that certain diseases such as flu are so commercialized that people in vitamin -C food supplements get into frenzy if they can simply eat oranges. In addition to a good diet, Dr. Lee the importance of precautionary measures such as basic hand washing, a secure distance between you and others and regular cleaning areas.
Parts of this article were originally published about the US health of women – additional reporting by the team of women’s health.
