The 2023 flu season has begun - get vaccinated on time
All of our locations now have the flu vaccine in stock for you. To protect you from illness and avoid a serious flu epidemic, you can now get vaccinated at your Avi Medical practice.
What is the flu?
It is an infection caused by influenza viruses. The flu is caused by viruses that are transmitted through droplets - for example when sneezing, coughing or speaking. You can also transmit the viruses from hand to hand, for example when shaking hands or through contaminated objects (e.g. door handles). The risk of infection exists especially where there are a lot of people, for example in public transport, workplaces, schools or shopping places.
The real flu (influenza) can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from a harmless cold (flu-like infection). In around a third, the flu begins suddenly with a high fever as well as headaches, sore throats and body aches. Dry cough and unusually severe fatigue are also characteristic. Sweating and a sore throat are also possible. However, it can also be severe and, for example, cause pneumonia and even lead to death.
Complications mainly affect people with previous illnesses and people of older age. Pregnant women also have an increased risk, especially of pneumonia.
Who and when should be vaccinated against flu?
The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends vaccination against flu (influenza) for all people aged 60 and over. There are other groups of people who may need a vaccination, which you can find here .
The flu vaccination must be repeated every year with the current, adapted vaccine, as flu viruses can change very quickly. The best time for this is October/November, as it takes around 14 days for vaccination protection to develop.
The vaccination is particularly recommended for the following groups of people:
- People who are over 60 years old
- People with underlying illnesses
- Pregnant women from the second trimester of pregnancy
- Medical staff and carers
- Residents of senior citizens' and nursing homes
How is the vaccination carried out and what must be taken into account?
The flu vaccination is an inactivated vaccine. The vaccination is given in your upper arm muscle. Occasionally, the stimulation of the body's immune system after vaccination can lead to redness or swelling at the injection site, which can also be painful. General symptoms such as fever, chills or sweating, fatigue, headaches and muscle pain can also occur in the first few days after the vaccination. Such vaccination reactions usually subside after a few days.
How can I get vaccinated at Avi Medical?
To check whether you have vaccination protection, simply make an appointment to check your vaccination status at one of our Avi Medical practices and discuss it with our team of doctors. They will advise you in detail whether you are already protected or whether you should receive a vaccination. The doctors will also check whether there are other vaccinations that would be useful for you and, if necessary, will carry them out directly.
How will Are flu or influenza viruses transmitted?
From person to person
The flu is very contagious. When sneezing, coughing or speaking, the smallest, virus-containing droplets of the nasopharyngeal secretion of sick people enter the air and can be inhaled by other people nearby.
The viruses are also passed on through the hands have come into contact with virus-containing secretions. If you then touch your mouth, nose or eyes, the flu viruses can penetrate the body through the mucous membranes.
About contaminated objects
The pathogens can also stick to door handles, grab handles, stair railings or similar objects and from there be passed on to the hands.
What are the symptoms of flu? Sick people?
Around a third of all illnesses typically begin with a sudden feeling of illness, fever, sore throat and dry cough, accompanied by muscle pain, limb pain, back pain or headache. Particularly in older people, the signs of illness are often not as pronounced and are more similar to a cold. If the course is uncomplicated, the symptoms will subside after 5 to 7 days. However, the cough can last significantly longer.
The severity of the illness can vary. A flu infection can occur with mild or no symptoms at all. However, the flu can also be accompanied by severe illnesses, which in the worst case scenario can lead to death.
Pneumonia is feared as the most common complication. Middle ear infections can also develop in children. Rarely, inflammation of the brain or heart muscle can occur.
When does the disease break out and how long are you contagious?
After an infection, you will feel the first symptoms relatively quickly after 1 to 2 days. The sick can be contagious the day before the symptoms begin and up to about 1 week after the first signs of illness appear. Children or people with weakened immune systems can also excrete the pathogens for longer.
