Flue is coming: “California”, “Victoria” and “Massachusetts”

Medics predict trivirus attack in the region by the New Year’s Day. As Victor Petrov, Uzhgorod city infectious diseases doctor, told the publication "Stary Zamok", this season three influenza strains will circulate in the region: A (H1N1, "California"), known since 2008 as "swine flu," seasonal H3N2 ("Victoria") and a whole new kind "B", so-called "Massachusetts". The latter will come to us from Europe and its symptoms will not be too different from previous forms of illness: fever, runny nose, dry cough, pain in muscles and joints.

Anyone can catch "Massachusetts"

Today, there is no dramatic increase in the incidence of SARS. Doctors claim that epidemiological threshold is not exceeded, the situation is currently stable and under control.   

Worsening of the situation is expected in early November. "The potential of a new strain of influenza "Massachusetts" is very high, and this season a lot of people will suffer from it. However, those who have not suffered from seasonal and California flu, risk to catch those too. Complications – as well as from any infectious disease – include additional bacterial flora, pneumonia, bronchitis, exacerbation of chronic diseases, otitis, and even encephalitis. If, within the first days of illness you can not bring the situation under control, seek medical advice from professionals."

Get vaccinated by October 25

To develop the immune system before the arrival of influenza, doctors advise to get vaccinated as soon as possible. First of all, doctors advise to get vaccinated to those who are at risk (there are approximately 12,000 such people in the region). Those are all who work in crowded places and sick people, who are most at risk to suffer complications from the flu – HIV-infected, patients with diabetes, bronchial asthma, affected kidneys, chronic liver, lung, heart disease and so on.           

Vaccination is recommended, but not required, so most Transcarpathians have to be vaccinated at their own expense. Victor Petrov said that last year about two thousand Uzhgorod residents were vaccinated at the expense of employers. Almost 100 people came to medical institutions to get vaccinated at their own expense. But, the doctor says, much more vaccines were sold through pharmacies. This suggests that people often make injections themselves without supervision and consultation with experts.

"The vaccine is injected once and maintains its effect for less than a year – Victor Petrov said. – It is available in pharmacies, but it is recommended to get vaccinated against influenza in a medical facility where a doctor will examine you and give first aid if necessary. The vaccine only protects against those three strains of flu.  However, the vaccine does not protect against other viruses: adeno-, rota-, rhino-viruses etc."

When selecting the vaccine, the doctor said, first of all, pay attention to the time of its manufacture and the manufacturer: "The vaccine must be recommended for the season 2013/2014. I advise you to choose well-known brands. And remember that the vaccine preparations are heat-sensitive, so they need to be refrigerated."