don't underestimate Influenza

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People hear the word influenza is usually directly relate to the disease because the symptoms are only trifling cough, cold, or fever. In fact, this disease is very contagious and can cause serious complications, especially in those with a low immune system.

The influenza virus is also frequently mutated so frequently causes outbreaks, either epidemic or pandemic, such as avian influenza H5N1 or H1N1 swine flu.

"Every year the virus is always evolved. Attacks varied according to the strain or type of virus, "said task force member Immunization Adult PAPDI, Iris Rengganis, SpPD.

Evolution of influenza virus causing antigen found on the surface of the virus could change periodically so that the resulting new virus subtype. If a new virus is transmitted efficiently among humans, a pandemic could occur.

Transmission of the virus occurs very easily through the air and direct contact spray saliva of an infected person. The incubation period is generally two days, but can vary between 1 to 4 days. Depending on the severity of influenza virus virulence and immunological previous experience with variants of the virus in question.
"It is therefore important for the injectable flu vaccine, either when the age of the child, adult, or when it will be leaving for Hajj," said Iris.

The influenza vaccine is a dead vaccine types (inactivated vaccine). For children, the vaccine is given at the age of 6 months. This vaccine was only intended for people over 50 years old, or adults with heart disease, chronic pulmonary, or metabolic. Influenza vaccination is also recommended for pregnant women in any trimester and that will contain the current flu season.

For adult influenza vaccine should be repeated every year. Each vaccine will result in resistance to certain types of influenza virus. "This type of injection and circulating strains were determined WHO. Vaccine injections will produce 80 percent protection, "said Iris.

For those who will be leaving for Hajj, injections of the vaccine should be given at least 2 weeks prior to the pilgrimage site. According to Iris, it is tailored to the term virus is formed. Injections should be repeated once every year to build immunity against influenza virus.

Classic symptoms of influenza is characterized by high fever (38-40 degrees Celsius), muscle aches, sore throat, cough, and headache. In the presumption arises every cough, colds, fever is influenza. Actual symptoms of cough, colds, fever more accurately regarded as influenza like illness since only about 20 percent of which is caused by the influenza virus. Other causes such as respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, or adenovirus.