INFLUENZA is one of the common diseases during the winter season due to low temperatures and humidity, conditions believed to help the flu virus thrive. Highly contagious, symptoms include a cough, sore throat, stuffy nose and high fever. The virus is estimated to affect 30 percent of children and 5 to 10 percent of adults. Considered a burden on the health care system, the Ministry of Health has set a target of 1.5 million people it will administer the influenza vaccine to this year, Al-Riyadh daily reported. Teacher Noura Al-Issa said she used to get the flu every year before she decided to get the vaccine, a decision she credits with helping her stay healthy. "I take the shot annually. I go to my doctor and get the vaccine. It does not take a lot of time. I think everyone should get it to protect themselves against the flu," she said. Reem Bandar, a nurse, said observing good health habits can help drastically reduce the risk of contracting the flu. "One must wash their hands with soap frequently, use a tissue or handkerchief when they sneeze or cough, eat healthy food and get enough sleep. All of this helps boost the immune system and make it stronger thereby decreasing the chance of contracting a virus," she explained. Dr. Lamya Al-Brahim, a family medicine consultant, said more people get respiratory infections and catch flu during the winter due to the thousands of particles that stay in the air for a long time after one sneezes. "If you shake the hands of an infected person, you will come down with the flu in a few minutes and you will get sick immediately. In some cases, flu can bring about fatal symptoms that lead to death, especially in elderly people and children," she warned. The Ministry of Health offers the flu vaccine free to citizens and expatriate workers. It holds a health campaign every year to encourage people to get vaccinated against the flu. "There are three types of seasonal flu (A, B, and C) and there are subtypes as well. For A virus, there are two subtypes: AH1N1 and AH3N2, which are very common among humans. The flu vaccines fight A and B types only as the C type is less common," she explained. The incubation period for the flu virus and the manifestation of symptoms is two days. The symptoms vary from sudden fever, cough, headache, fatigue to nausea, running nose, sore throat, and muscle pain. Usually, a patient will get well within a week without having to see a doctor. "The only thing we fear is that the virus causes complications that result in death, especially in children under two years old and elderly above 65 years old as well as patients with chronic conditions," she noted. Statistically, the flu virus kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people each year around the world as a result of complications that arise in infected people. Al-Brahim said those at risk should get vaccinated because it is effective and can protect them against the potential complications of the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends that pregnant women at all stages of pregnancy, children between six months and five years and the elderly above 65 years, and patients with chronic conditions as well as healthcare professionals get the vaccine.
