Influenza prevention is the best route to ensure complete protection from the flu virus. This is mainly because, once contracted, the influenza virus has no treatment. Management of symptoms to avoid complications is the only thing that can be done. In addition to that some antiviral drugs can also be used to try and slow down the replication and reproduction of the virus.
Thankfully there are influenza vaccines that can be used for prevention. However, it should be kept in mind that the influenza virus mutates over time and that you will require an influenza vaccine each year to ensure that you are guarded against the latest known and dominant flu strain. The seasonal flu vaccine generally consists of the three most dominant flu strains for that specific year.
Swine flu prevention is also best done by taking a shot of the swine flu vaccine that is now available. The vaccine is available as a nasal spray, a single injection of 15mg or multiple vials too. While the nasal spray virus uses the attenuated (weakened) virus the injection contains inactivated virus and therefore can be used for anyone above the age of 6 months. Similarly there are also vaccines for bird flu prevention.
There are also other measures that you should take to ensure that the influenza virus does not spread. These are methods that you can use for seasonal flu prevention and swine flu prevention.
- Wash hands properly – Just dipping hands or making them wet does not classify as washing hands. Hands should be washed properly with warm water and soap. Both hands should be rubbed properly for at least 30 seconds. Make sure you wash your hands before handling a baby, before consuming food and using the bathroom. In situations where you cannot wash hands, a hand sanitizer should be used.
- Avoid close contact with strangers – While it may not be possible to avoid all contact, contact with anyone who is sneezing or coughing should be avoided at all costs.
- Avoid crowded areas – it is difficult to keep a distance with strangers in crowded areas and therefore these should be avoided, especially when you know that there are influenza cases in your city.
- Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth without washing them.
- Disinfect your house – It is good practice to disinfect your house with household bleach to ensure that there is no spread of virus from inanimate objects too.
Bird flu prevention requires careful handling of food especially poultry and eggs. Hands should be washed properly before cooking. It is important to purchase meat and poultry from hygienic sources. Cooking the food properly will kill the virus too.
Irrespective of the kind of influenza that we are referring to, influenza prevention techniques and preventive measures are important to avoid contacting the disease. More information about influenza can be found here.
Health Sites: Severe Hypertension | Zoster Virus