7 things you should know about influenza AH1N1

On December 9, the Secretary of Health of the State of Mexico confirmed 6 cases of influenza AH1N1, although this situation is not considered "alarming" measures must be taken to avoid contagion, so far this year the Health Secretary in Honduras confirmed the death of 4 people due to this disease.

According to data from the Ministry of Health (Ssa) Influenza is an acute disease of the respiratory tract that is curable and controllable if timely medical care and home care is received.

Influenza is transmitted from person to person. The virus enters through the mouth, nose and eyes and is through sneezing or coughing. Therefore in GetQoralHealth and with information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) we present 7 things you should know about the AH1N1 influenza.

 

  1. Duration and severity Influenza epidemics occur every year, however the severity, date and duration of the disease vary from year to year.
  2. Prevention. It consists of applying the influenza vaccine (recommended from 6 months of age and up)
  3. Vaccine. Its function is to protect against the 3 main strains of influenza, therefore it is recommended to apply it every year.
  4. Prevention every day. Avoid contact with sick people and wash your hands, are measures that you can apply in your daily life.
  5. Acquisition. Vaccines against influenza virus can be purchased in clinics, doctors' offices, pharmacies, health centers and even in some schools.
  6. Types of viruses The most common influenza viruses are: influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B viruses.
  7. New types? Influenza viruses mutate steadily, so new strains appear every year.

Influenza vaccines act to develop antibodies approximately two weeks after vaccination; the antibodies protect against infection by means of the viruses included in the vaccine.

Because the virus can change every year the effectiveness of the vaccine varies from year to year. It depends on the person's home (state of health and age) and on the "similarity" between the viruses included in the vaccine and those that spread in the community.

The CDC It also indicates that if you have contracted influenza you should stay at home, maintain rest (not attend work or school) to prevent the spread of the disease.


Video Medicine: H1N1 Influenza A virus (March 2024).