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Influenza - flu
Infection
Virus is found in the airways and the virus is transmitted from person to person through the air.
Vaccination
A new vaccine is manufactured every year for the northern and southern hemispheres containing the variant, which is predicted to cause outbreaks during the next 6 months.
In the northern hemisphere the vaccine for the season is usually available around the 1st October.
Protection is around 70% to 90%.
The vaccine contains small amounts of egg protein, and people allergic to eggs should not be vaccinated.
Symptoms
Fever, cough, headache, muscle- and joint pains.
Diagnosis
Typical symptoms during an outbreakVirus can be found in a swab from the airways. Antibodies can be found in a blood sample.
Treatment
The antiviral compound oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is effective if the treatment is started within 48 hours of the symptoms appearing.
Prevention
Vaccination.
Mortality from flu increases with age and people over 65 and people with chronic diseases like obstructive lung disease, chronic heart disease should be vaccinated
Edited 31. January 2008
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