Seasonal Influenza Essay

Flu shots are seasonal and should be received every year because flu viruses change. This means a different type of vaccine has to be used as well.

In October 2009, a vaccine against H1N1 was approved. Originally the vaccine was only given to health workers but was eventually given the general population in the winter of 2009. Flu vaccines have a very good public profile. There are only mild side effects of the vaccine such as soreness at the sight of infection, small fever, and aches. The flu shot contains weakened virus, so the immune system fights only a small amount of the flu virus. There is also a nasal spray version of the vaccine. Vaccines are prescribed when someone has the flu and before someone gets the flu. With more people aware of the flu’s causes, more and more people are getting the flu vaccine every year. There is little natural immunity to flu strains, so therefore, almost everyone is susceptible to infection. There are some drugs that that help against influenza, but vaccines are generally more helpful since viruses tend to develop resistance against drugs fairly quickly. There are four different antiviral drugs. They are usually prescribed when someone gets the flu, not before someone gets the flu like vaccines. Examples of antiviral drugs are Tamiflu, Relenza, and Rapivab. They are usually prescribed for five days. There is still a need to help develop antiviral drugs. More rapid development of vaccines are also needed since vaccines take many months or even years to create, so it is not helpful to make a vaccine when a virus breaks out, but rather

Flu season is once again upon us, and the CDC recommends that everyone six months or older receive a flu vaccine, with it being even more important for those who have a high risk for complications, like the elderly, children under five, and pregnant women.

The effectiveness of flu vaccines depend on the strain that is being used at the time in the vaccine and also the strain that is circulating in the environment during the flu season. Doctors are encouraging their patients to seek medical treatment if their symptoms are significant enough to be seen which would also help decrease other illnesses throughout the public. Research has suggested that individuals should eat healthy, exercise, and use good handwashing techniques and in return will help decrease their chances of getting the flu and other illnesses (Guichard,

Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is known by just about everyone in the United States. It is a common virus that is famous for its rapid mutations. Because of the rapid mutations, every winter, people all over the world go to their doctors for their annual flu shots. The annual vaccine is something that Sanofi Pasteur

    The human immune system is constantly undergoing changes because of the pathogens that are trying to invade the body. Once the pathogens cross your initial barriers your body has a second defence that comes into play. This is your immune system which is composed of your innate and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity has two line of defense, the first line starting with the skin and mucosal membranes, these create barrier to try and fight off pathogens entering the body. The second line is an internal response consisting of many types of phagocytes, and  chemicals and physiological processes which fight against pathogens (pg 854 Textbook). Meanwhile adaptive immunity is a response that has multiple cells that work to fight off specific pathogens. These cells start off as simple T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. T-lymphocytes go through a process when identifying a pathogen and eventually form cytotoxic T- lymphocytes and helper T-lymphocytes. When B- lymphocytes cross a pathogen they form into plasma cells in order to release antibodies and target (textbook pg 864). These two immunities play a big role in providing a healthy defense after vaccination is injected to allow the body to be immuned to

Influenza is the common name given to an infectious disease which as we known is caused by the influenza virus. Around the world and in the united states the influenza disease is referred to as “the flu” and due to similar symptoms people mistakenly believe that it is nothing more than an ordinary severe type of cold. While the influenza symptoms as it manifests can range from mild to severe, the flu still kills a significant number of people annually.

The problem with a virus is that it is always evolving. So that means, it is possible for a person to catch the flu year after year, because the body does not recognize the newer form of the virus. It evades the immune system so that a person can get it all throughout life. The antibodies that are built up against the old form of the virus offer some protection, but not a

It is also time to get flu shots, and I hope everyone who is eligible gets one. Flu can be a deadly disease, and one little shot can help prevent the onset of flu. Every year thousands of people succumb to the flu—more than you might imagine.

As the flu season continues to draw closer, the fear of contracting the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as the swine flu, persists in spreading throughout the world. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 2 million people nationwide have already been infected with the H1N1 virus, but families are still skeptical about the new H1N1 vaccine and refuse to take it. I believe the best way to prevent children and adults from the influenza is to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

The impact of seasonal influenza is already severely underestimated, killing between a quarter to a half a million people each year and costing billions of dollars in productivity (Wilschut 17). With one strain of the super flu, we could be facing a worldwide catastrophe.

Complications of the flu can land you in a hospital. You may still get the flu if you’re vaccinated, but the infection will be much milder. Because the viruses that cause influenza constantly change, you need a new flu shot each year.

flu vaccines should be mandatory for healthcare workers. Vaccines are known as a miracle of modern medicine. Vaccines are known to saving lives and wiping out many contagious diseases. There has been a long debate whether annual flu vaccine should be mandatory for all healthcare workers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that all healthcare workers receive the vaccination against the flu to reduce spreading the virus to their colleagues, families and to the vulnerable people in their care. While the flu vaccine can cause some minor side effects, flu vaccines need to be mandatory for all health care associates because they put patients at a greater risk for contracting it, they wipe away many contagious diseases, and they save thousands of lives.

There are non-pharmacological management options which people believe are effective at helping alleviate the symptoms of the flu. For instance, gargling with warm water, honey and lemon is believed to help manage sore throats and alleviate dry, irritating coughs, similarly to how steam inhalation is believed to alleviate nasal congestion or a stuffy nose (Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, 2017).

There are medications to treat the flu, but these are expensive and not as effective as vaccination plus need to be started within 24-48 hours of the onset of signs and symptoms. And lets face it the majority of the public will most likely still continue on with there lives if the flu they catch is minor and this is how it is spread to the general public and therefore reach those who can not get the vaccine or are already immunocomprimised.