How to prevent the flu?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Organizational and anti-epidemic measures (exposure prevention) are important for the prevention of influenza:
- early diagnosis and isolation of patients for a period of 5 days in separate rooms, and in the hospital - in boxed offices;
- regular airing of premises;
- systematic wet cleaning with 1% chloramine solution;
- maintenance of the child only in the gauze mask;
- treatment of patients (in the context of urgent isolation), mainly at home, until the full restoration of health;
- medical care for often ill children during the flu epidemic at home with a restricted visit to the polyclinic;
- in the period of epidemic increase in the incidence of influenza in children's preschool institutions, new children are not accepted into the collective, they exclude the transfer of children from the group to the group, conduct a daily morning examination and thermometry, with the slightest signs of the disease children are not accepted into the organized collective; Ensure the careful isolation of groups, abolish common measures, where possible reduce the number of groups;
- interferons (recombinant or leukocyte interferon alfa) appoint children from 1 year of life to 2-5 drops in each nasal passage 2-4 times a day for 7-10 days;
- remantadine is used in children older than 7 years (1-2 tablets a day for 20 days);
- IRS 19;
- imudon;
- aflubin appoint children under 1 year on 1 drop, at the age of 1-12 years 3-5 drops 2 times a day for 3 days (emergency prophylaxis) or 3 weeks (planned prophylaxis);
- anaferon for children - 1 tablet per day for at least 3 months.
The leading role in the prevention of influenza is played by vaccination.
The following vaccines against influenza are allowed in Ukraine:
- Grippol (influenza virus-subunit vaccine, Russia);
- Influvac (subunit vaccine, Netherlands);
- Vaxigripp (split vaccine, France);
- Fluorix (split vaccine, England);
- Agrippal S1 (subunit, Germany).
In addition to inactivated vaccines, allantoic live dry intranasal (Russia) and inactivated chromatographic liquid (in children older than 7 years, Russia) vaccines are allowed in children (3-14 years old).
Planned vaccination is carried out throughout the year, preferably in the fall. The vaccine should be received by all population groups, starting from the age of 6 months. First of all, vaccination is carried out:
- children at risk (with chronic lung diseases, heart disease, receiving immunosuppressive therapy, with diabetes mellitus, with immunodeficiency, including HIV infection, from organized groups);
- adults caring for newborns and children up to 6 months;
- medical workers;
- employees of children's pre-school institutions, service and transport.
Type-specific immunity is produced 7-14 days after vaccination and persists for 6-12 months. Advantages are subunit vaccines because of their lower reactogenicity. Vaccination against influenza is best done annually taking into account the variability of influenza viruses.
