Get Shot to Protect against ‘Killer’ Flu - Rawan For Media Artistic and Production
The
virus is estimated to affect 30 percent of children and 5 to 10 percent
of adults. Considered a burden on the health care system, the Ministry
of Health has set a target of 1.5 million people it will administer the
influenza vaccine to this year, Al-Riyadh daily reported.
Teacher
Noura Al-Issa said she used to get the flu every year before she
decided to get the vaccine, a decision she credits with helping her stay
healthy.
“I
take the shot annually. I go to my doctor and get the vaccine. It does
not take a lot of time. I think everyone should get it to protect
themselves against the flu,” she said.
Reem Bandar, a nurse, said observing good health habits can help drastically reduce the risk of contracting the flu.
“One
must wash their hands with soap frequently, use a tissue or
handkerchief when they sneeze or cough, eat healthy food and get enough
sleep. All of this helps boost the immune system and make it stronger
thereby decreasing the chance of contracting a virus,” she explained.
Dr.
Lamya Al-Brahim, a family medicine consultant, said more people get
respiratory infections and catch flu during the winter due to the
thousands of particles that stay in the air for a long time after one
sneezes.
“If
you shake the hands of an infected person, you will come down with the
flu in a few minutes and you will get sick immediately. In some cases,
flu can bring about fatal symptoms that lead to death, especially in
elderly people and children,” she warned.
The
Ministry of Health offers the flu vaccine free to citizens and
expatriate workers. It holds a health campaign every year to encourage
people to get vaccinated against the flu.
“There
are three types of seasonal flu (A, B, and C) and there are subtypes as
well. For A virus, there are two subtypes: AH1N1 and AH3N2, which are
very common among humans. The flu vaccines fight A and B types only as
the C type is less common,” she explained.
The
incubation period for the flu virus and the manifestation of symptoms
is two days. The symptoms vary from sudden fever, cough, headache,
fatigue to nausea, running nose, sore throat, and muscle pain. Usually, a
patient will get well within a week without having to see a doctor.
“The
only thing we fear is that the virus causes complications that result
in death, especially in children under two years old and elderly above
65 years old as well as patients with chronic conditions,” she noted.
Statistically,
the flu virus kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people each year around
the world as a result of complications that arise in infected people.
Al-Brahim
said those at risk should get vaccinated because it is effective and
can protect them against the potential complications of the virus.
The
World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends that pregnant women at
all stages of pregnancy, children between six months and five years and
the elderly above 65 years, and patients with chronic conditions as well
as healthcare professionals get the vaccine.
By Saudi Gazette, 17 hours 18 minutes ago
INFLUENZA
is one of the common diseases during the winter season due to low
temperatures and humidity, conditions believed to help the flu virus
thrive. Highly contagious, symptoms include a cough, sore throat, stuffy
nose and high fever.
is one of the common diseases during the winter season due to low
temperatures and humidity, conditions believed to help the flu virus
thrive. Highly contagious, symptoms include a cough, sore throat, stuffy
nose and high fever.
The
virus is estimated to affect 30 percent of children and 5 to 10 percent
of adults. Considered a burden on the health care system, the Ministry
of Health has set a target of 1.5 million people it will administer the
influenza vaccine to this year, Al-Riyadh daily reported.
Teacher
Noura Al-Issa said she used to get the flu every year before she
decided to get the vaccine, a decision she credits with helping her stay
healthy.
“I
take the shot annually. I go to my doctor and get the vaccine. It does
not take a lot of time. I think everyone should get it to protect
themselves against the flu,” she said.
Reem Bandar, a nurse, said observing good health habits can help drastically reduce the risk of contracting the flu.
“One
must wash their hands with soap frequently, use a tissue or
handkerchief when they sneeze or cough, eat healthy food and get enough
sleep. All of this helps boost the immune system and make it stronger
thereby decreasing the chance of contracting a virus,” she explained.
Dr.
Lamya Al-Brahim, a family medicine consultant, said more people get
respiratory infections and catch flu during the winter due to the
thousands of particles that stay in the air for a long time after one
sneezes.
“If
you shake the hands of an infected person, you will come down with the
flu in a few minutes and you will get sick immediately. In some cases,
flu can bring about fatal symptoms that lead to death, especially in
elderly people and children,” she warned.
The
Ministry of Health offers the flu vaccine free to citizens and
expatriate workers. It holds a health campaign every year to encourage
people to get vaccinated against the flu.
“There
are three types of seasonal flu (A, B, and C) and there are subtypes as
well. For A virus, there are two subtypes: AH1N1 and AH3N2, which are
very common among humans. The flu vaccines fight A and B types only as
the C type is less common,” she explained.
The
incubation period for the flu virus and the manifestation of symptoms
is two days. The symptoms vary from sudden fever, cough, headache,
fatigue to nausea, running nose, sore throat, and muscle pain. Usually, a
patient will get well within a week without having to see a doctor.
“The
only thing we fear is that the virus causes complications that result
in death, especially in children under two years old and elderly above
65 years old as well as patients with chronic conditions,” she noted.
Statistically,
the flu virus kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people each year around
the world as a result of complications that arise in infected people.
Al-Brahim
said those at risk should get vaccinated because it is effective and
can protect them against the potential complications of the virus.
The
World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends that pregnant women at
all stages of pregnancy, children between six months and five years and
the elderly above 65 years, and patients with chronic conditions as well
as healthcare professionals get the vaccine.
By Saudi Gazette, 17 hours 18 minutes ago
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