Winter is in its middle, and the wind and snow began to dominate our streets only for the first week. AND, normally, during this period is the flu season.

Acute respiratory infections, including flu, remain one of the most pressing medical and socio - economic problems.

This is the only infection, which causes annual epidemics and periodic pandemics, covering up to 30% world population (1918 g., 1957-1958 biennium, 1968-1969 biennium, 1977-1978 biennium).

In Belarus, the seasonal epidemic begins for many years in a row at the end of January. No need to panic, but it is imperative to observe preventive measures.

Annually, according to statistics, in the Republic of Belarus, every third resident of the country falls ill with influenza and ARI and about 3 million. cases of diseases. Moreover, in the general structure of all cases, the share of influenza is 9-10%. It should be noted, that among all cases of ARI, more than half are children under 14 years of age.

The largest number of cases of influenza in the last 15 years was registered in 1995 r. (833 thous.) and c 1999 r. (1million. 5thous.). IN 2009 year had the flu for about 555 thous. human.

What's the difference between a cold, FLU and ARVI.

Cold – sudden cooling of the body, which is the main condition, predisposing to the disease.

Influenza is an acute respiratory infection, which is caused by several types of influenza viruses (BUT, B and C).

Acute respiratory illness (ORZ), or acute respiratory viral infection (SARS), covers a large number of diseases, in many ways similar to each other, having a similar clinical picture with influenza, but cause these diseases more 200 completely different viruses.

Flu is a disease, which everyone is familiar with, maybe, no people, who at least once in their life would not be sick with them. Topics, who survived the flu safely, seems, that there is nothing wrong with such a common disease. Trust me, far from it. Influenza is insidious and dangerous, primarily, the development of serious postinfluenza complications (bronchitis, pneumonia, lesions of the heart muscle, etc.), as well as exacerbation of existing chronic diseases. Fatalities are not excluded.. Especially, it concerns weakened people, elderly people, children.

Forecast:

As predicted by the National Influenza Center, the beginning of an epidemic rise in the incidence of influenza and acute respiratory infections (ORI) on the territory of the Republic of Belarus is expected in late January - early February 2012 of the year, medium intensity, circulating influenza A viruses (H1N1, H3N2) and B.

Epidemic situation:

Currently, the incidence of influenza and other ARIs in the Republic of Belarus is at a non-epidemic level..

According to the results of the monitoring carried out, the frequency of detection of viral antigens was 38,5%, in the studied biological material prevail non-influenza respiratory viruses (respiratory syncytial virus - 28,5%, adenovirus - 31,0%, parainfluenza viruses - 9,5%, mixed infections (predominantly AD + RS) – 31%).

Complex of measures, carried out in the pre-epidemic period:

Epidemiological monitoring for acute respiratory infections in the Republic of Belarus is carried out in accordance with the decree of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus No. 132 dated 12.10.2010 r. "On the approval of the Sanitary Standards, rules and hygiene standards "Requirements for epidemiological surveillance of acute respiratory infections in the Republic of Belarus".

A system of events has been created in the Republic of Belarus, providing comprehensive protection of the population from influenza. The comprehensive nature of protecting the population from influenza assumes, first of all, specific prophylaxis using vaccines, prophylaxis with drugs, anti-epidemic measures in the foci of infection, as well as carrying out health-improving and restorative activities.

Vaccination is the only scientifically proven effective method of preventing influenza. Its benefits are clear. First of all, this is the strict specificity of vaccines for the most relevant influenza virus strains of the season. Vaccine prophylaxis in more than 2 times the effectiveness of non-specific prophylaxis. Does not require significant material costs, since the vaccination is carried out once or twice (children). Vaccines are used over 50 years, during this period, their safety and effectiveness have increased. All approved vaccines in the Republic of Belarus undergo quality control.

Contraindications to immunization with influenza vaccines are: allergic reactions to chicken protein, reaction to previous vaccine administration, immunodeficiency states, neoplasms. Therefore, before the vaccination, a doctor's examination is mandatory..

The flu virus constantly mutates, changing its properties, as a result of which influenza epidemics are repeated from year to year, and the vaccine produced last year this year will not protect against the disease. In accordance with WHO recommendations in season 2011-2012 yy. for the countries of the Northern Hemisphere, the following strains of influenza viruses are identified as relevant, which were included in the composition of influenza vaccines:

Similar to the A / California / 7/2009 virus (H1N1);

Similar to the A / Perth / 16/2009 virus (H3N2);

Similar to the B / Brisbane / 60/2008 virus.

 

 

Doubts about the correctness of the prediction of epidemic strains have a negative impact on society's attitude towards immunization as an effective measure for preventing influenza., which will circulate in the coming season and uncertainty about the coincidence with vaccine strains. The spread of the influenza virus and its modification is monitored by international reference centers and national WHO reference laboratories. Based on the information received, annually WHO experts formulate recommendations on the composition of influenza vaccines. Latest statistics 20 years testifies, that those variants of influenza viruses, which have been recommended by WHO for inclusion in vaccines, coincided in more than 90% cases (in some years there were discrepancies in one of the 3 options, included in the vaccine).

Vaccines from different manufacturers do not differ in the types of influenza viruses they contain.

There is no doubt about the benefits of mass flu vaccination, especially since there is no alternative to it yet. In a collective, where is grafted 70% of people, the chain of transmission of the influenza virus from a sick person to a healthy person is disrupted, but, hence, and an epidemic is impossible in principle.

In order to protect the population from influenza in the republic, immunization of the population is carried out annually. IN 2011 year in the campaign of mass immunization against influenza more than 3 million. man or 31,8% from the population of the republic, including at the expense of the republican budget - 1 053 763 human, local budget - 1 419 948 human, enterprises and organizations - 502 015 human; personal funds of citizens - 30 860 human.

On the eve of epidemics, doctors recommend activating the body's defenses with the help of general strengthening preventive measures:

1. Vitamins and minerals. Ascorbic acid is especially important here. (Vitamin C), which helps to increase the body's resistance. Vitamin C is used orally 0,5-1 r 1-2 once a day. Eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Don't forget, that a large amount of vitamin C is contained in sauerkraut juice, as well as citrus fruits - lemons, Kiwi, mandarin, oranges, grapefruit.

2. Hardening is the most important method of preventing various colds in our climate.. It helps to normalize the airway function during cooling., which reduces the dose of the virus, entering the body during infection. Therefore, by hardening it is possible, if not completely, to avoid a cold., then reduce the sensitivity to it. Tempering measures should be carried out daily and for a long time, it should be a way of life.

3. Stress must be avoided, overwork and colds. If you are seriously overloading your body with physical or mental work, are stressed or depressed, then your immunity is weakened, which means, you enable the virus to easily settle in your body.

4. Folk remedies. The opinion of doctors is as follows: "Flu is not the same disease, which you can cure yourself with garlic and steam over potatoes ". Folk remedies can be used in parallel, as an additional treatment.

To prevent the spread of such respiratory diseases, like the flu, you must adhere to normal daily hygiene practices:

• Covering your nose and mouth with a paper towel when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the used napkin in the trash.
• Wash hands thoroughly and often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
• Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth. The infection is transmitted in this way..
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid crowded places.

And if you still avoid the flu (or another ORI) failed, then you should not self-medicate. It is necessary to contact specialists, all medications should be used ONLY as directed by a doctor, and in no case, not "carry the infection on your feet"! This is dangerous not only for the sick, but it is also a powerful source of the spread of the virus among the population.

Necessary take care of your health, listen to doctors' opinions, follow their recommendations and then no flu is terrible. be healthy!

 

 

Chief Epidemiologist

Ministry of Health

Of the Republic of Belarus I.A. Karaban