Seasonal Flu or Influenza is an acute respiratory tract infection caused by influenza viruses. The symptoms of seasonal flu vary from sudden onset of fever, dry cough, headache, body, muscle and joint pain, and sore throat to a runny nose. It usually cures without treatment, with most individuals recovering within a week. However, influenza is known for its severe illness in high-risk populations like children, working professionals, elderly patients, pregnant women, health workers, and patients with life-threatening medical conditions.
Differentiating influenza from the common cold is difficult as they share similar symptoms. Additionally, it is tough to detect seasonal flu infection, leading to severe infections and even hospitalization. Hence, vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease. WHO recommends annual vaccinations to prevent seasonal flu (influenza) infections.
How does Seasonal Flu Spread?
Seasonal flu is highly contagious and spreads by touching surfaces, air droplets, sneezing, talking or coughing, and contact with infected individuals. In temperate climates, seasonal flu epidemics occur, mostly during winter, whereas in tropical areas, it occurs throughout the year. The incubation period can vary from 1 to 4 days.
Avoiding transmission of Seasonal Flu:
Wash and dry hands consistently
Cover your mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing
Stay at home when you are sick
Avoid close contact with sick people
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
Who is at the highest risk of seasonal flu infection?
Although everyone can get infected with seasonal flu, certain groups are at higher risk of severe disease or complications than others.
Pregnant women
Children under the age of five years
Geriatric population
Individuals with chronic cardiac, pulmonary, renal, metabolic, neurodevelopmental, liver, or hematologic diseases
Immunosuppressive conditions like HIV, chemotherapy, steroids, or malignancy
Healthcare workers with constant contact with the infected patients
What is the treatment for influenza flu infection?
People suffering from mild episodes of seasonal flu recover on their own. However, ones with severe and long-lasting symptoms or other medical conditions should visit their doctor immediately. They get treatment with suitable anti-viral medications as required.
Tips to cure mild symptoms
Rest
Drink lots of fluids
Treat other symptoms such as fever
Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms get worse
How to avoid Seasonal Flu Infection?
Attaining immunity against influenza viruses is the best way to avoid seasonal flu infections. Hence, vaccination is one of the safest, easiest, and most effective methods. Immunity through vaccination diminishes with time, so WHO and CDC recommend annual flu vaccination against seasonal flu infection.
Annual flu shots are recommended for:
Children aged 6 months and above
Old age people over 65 years
Pregnant women and health workers
Individuals with chronic health complications like diabetes and heart conditions
Importance of annual flu vaccination
As per recent studies, annual flu shots reduce the risk of seasonal flu infection from 40% to 60% among the overall population. Flu vaccinations are the best possible preventive intervention against Influenza B and Influenza A viruses.
Annual vaccination assists by reducing the severity of the infection and, thereby, chances of death and complications. These flu shots hold long-lasting significance for individuals with high-risk complications of influenza and its carriers.
Do flu vaccines cause any side effects?
Flu vaccine side effects are generally mild with little to no effects on the body and perish within a few days. Injectable flu shots are commonly associated with soreness, redness, swelling from the shot, headache, fever, nausea, body pain, and occasionally fainting.
As per some studies, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases relate to injectable flu shots. However, they are rare and discovered in 1 or 2 cases per 1 million people vaccinated. It is more common post-flu illness than after vaccination. GBS is unassociated with the nasal spray vaccine.
Benefits of annual flu vaccination
Prevents flu sickness
Reduces severity of illness
Reduces flu-associated hospitalizations
Prevents severe infection in individuals with cardiovascular events, COPD, diabetes, and chronic lung disease
Protects against flu infection during and after pregnancy
Provides immunity to infants for the first few months
Lifesaver for children
Protects people around you
What is NASOVAC-S4:
NASOVAC-S4 is India’s First needle-free and painless seasonal flu vaccine. NASOVAC-S4 is an intranasal (nasal spray) quadrivalent vaccine that provides immunity against four different influenza viruses.
Type A: H1N1
Type A: H3N2
Type B: Victoria Lineage
Types B: Yamagata Lineage
NASOVAC-S4 is developed and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. NASOVAC-S4 is a live attenuated vaccine that prevents and reduces the incidence of seasonal flu infection. It is the safest annual flu vaccine to boost our immune system.
Key Features of Painless NASOVAC-S4 Vaccine
NASOVAC-S4 is a Needle-free Vaccine administered through a nasal spray
NASOVAC-S4 is a Painless vaccine suitable for all individuals
NASOVAC-S4 is safe for children above 2 years of age
NASOVAC-S4 is beneficial for individuals suffering from lifestyle diseases
Benefits of NASOVAC-S4 for Children
Reduces the incidence of seasonal viral infections in children
Needle free administration using an intranasal spray device is painless
Minimizes the chances of spreading infection to other kids
Safe and rigorously tested quadrivalent vaccine is the best way to protect them from seasonal flu infections
Benefits of NASOVAC-S4 for Senior Citizens
NASOVAC-S4’s needle-free nasal spray administration makes it highly convenient for old age people
NASOVAC-S4 reduces hospitalizations and treatment interventions
NASOVAC-S4 improves the quality of life of old age people
Benefits of NASOVAC-S4 for Corporates
NASOVAC-S4 secures your daily work life by keeping you healthy and immune to influenza infection
The painless vaccine minimizes the chances of Influenza infection in other office employees or colleagues
NASOVAC-S4 keeps the workplace safe and healthy for each employee
NASOVAC-S4 is a quadrivalent type tackling multiple viral strains for a broad immune response
Safe and rigorously tested quadrivalent vaccine is the best way to protect them from seasonal flu infections
