Facts about Flu (Influenza)

Flu or Influenza is a seasonal illness caused by Influenza A or B Virus. According to WHO FluNet, the peak activity for Influenza in India is January to April and another small rise in July and August every year. Influenza Virus spreads through respiratory secretions from cough, sneeze or getting close to an infected person. It can also spread through towels, sheets and toys used by the infected person. Infected people are contagious for 2-5 days.

Symptoms of Influenza (Flu) include high fever, cold cough, vomiting, diarrhea, body ache, headache etc. Influenza is usually self-limited but can have complications like pneumonia (30% incidence) and ear infection (30-50% incidence). Meningitis, Brain infection, lung failure, kidney failure and death are severe but uncommon complications. Flu shots are recommended to avoid these complications.

Influenza virus is known to keep on changing much more than other viruses. New vaccines (Flu shots) are made every year to match the circulating strain which is the reason Flu shots should be taken in each flu season.

Flu Shot (Influenza Vaccine)

There are only injectable Flu vaccines available in India. They cover against 3 or 4 strains of Influenza--always including Swine Flu (H1N1 Influenza) As mentioned earlier, they are newly manufactured each year on basis of new variations in Influenza virus. The recommended time frame to get the flu shot in the northern hemisphere is during October to November.

Myths about Flu

1. You should let your body develop immunity to flu and avoid vaccination: When you get the flu, you have a few months of immunity to the particular strain from which you got infected. You are still open to get the Flu from 3 other types of Flu virus in the same season. Vaccines give you immunity to all 4 strains.
2. Once you get the flu shot, you get dependent on it forever: Flu shots provide protection from the flu only for the season which they are given. You need to get a new vaccine every flu season to avoid getting flu for that flu season.
3. Flu shot will cause fever or a mild Flu: Flu vaccines are made from killed virus which can only give you immunity and not the disease.
4. Once you get Flu shot, you will not get any colds: Flu shots protect against influenza not common colds. Common colds are caused by several other virus.
5. Flu can be treated with antibiotics: Flu is a virus, and like any other virus, it does not get killed by antibiotics. There are special anti-flu medications for the treatment of the Flu.

Who should get the Flu shots?

1. Children from 6 months to 5 years. Recommended for older kids too.
2. Children and Adults who have Asthma, Heart disease, lung disease or are immunocompromised.
3. Pregnant Women
4. Elderly – above age 65
5. Health care professionals and people dealing with young children, e.g. preschool staff.