Synonyms
Influenza, real influenza, virus fluThe only effective prophylaxis against influenza is vaccination. However, this must be repeated annually with the respective new vaccine, as influenza viruses change quickly and thus the immunity (protection against illness) is lost after a vaccination or after having been through an illness. Influenza viruses multiply very quickly and very often make tiny changes (point mutations) to their surface components haemagglutinin and neuraminidase.
These changes are also known as antigen drift and can result in the immune system no longer recognizing the viruses, which are only minimally altered in this way, and thus can no longer fight them so successfully. Such antigen drifts can already occur during a flu season, and in the worst case, the vaccination carried out at the beginning of the season may no longer provide sufficient protection against the virus. Greater variations can occur through the exchange of genetic information between different virus types, for example when influenza viruses from birds and pigs exchange information.
This type of mutation is called antigenic shift, which causes even greater changes than the antigenic drift. Completely new subgroups of influenza viruses can be created, which may cause epidemics or pandemics. Although a vaccination does not offer a complete guarantee against influenza, regular vaccination against influenza viruses is recommended, as a severe course of the disease with complications can be prevented, especially in high-risk patients and patients with a weaker immune system.
Also one assumes that the body gets along better with an infection by regular contact with virus antigens in case of emergency. The vaccination is especially recommended for elderly people, infants, chronically ill and pregnant women as well as people working in the health service. In fact, every person benefits from the vaccination, as pneumonia and other complications are less frequent and the death rate is reduced.
The vaccination should be administered annually from September to November, at the beginning of the winter flu season. During the vaccination itself, the vaccine (vaccine) is injected (injected) intramuscularly (into a muscle), usually into the upper arm in the so-called deltoid muscle. After two weeks, the immune system has usually produced enough antibodies to protect the body against influenza viruses.
However, side effects usually occur after such an influenza vaccination. The production of vaccines against influenza is very complex and takes about six months. At the beginning of each year, the WHO (World Health Organization) decides which vaccines are to be produced for the coming flu season.
These are then produced from chicken egg white. For this purpose, influenza viruses are introduced into hen eggs and the eggs are then incubated. The viruses multiply and can be removed after a few days and used to produce the vaccines.
The vaccine most frequently used in influenza vaccination is a so-called split vaccine (split vaccine). It contains only components of the viruses such as the surface molecules neuraminidase and haemagglutinin, but no functional viruses. The split vaccines often contain an enhancer, also called adjuvant or immune booster.
The addition of adjuvants enhances the immune system’s response to the vaccine, much less virus particles have to be added. This means that more vaccine can be produced in a shorter time and the costs for production are reduced. However, the adjuvants are also under criticism.
They are accused of being responsible for stronger inflammatory symptoms at the injection site and side effects such as headaches, chills and fever. Vaccines containing adjuvants are not recommended for children and pregnant women due to lack of experience. For these there are vaccines without the addition of vaccine boosters.
A newly developed live vaccine, in which functional viruses were applied to the nasal mucosa, had to be withdrawn from the market in Switzerland because of temporary facial paralysis. In general, however, live vaccines are more effective than slit vaccines, as they cause a stronger reaction of the immune system and thus also better protection against disease.A further protection against the most common complication, bacterial pneumonia, can be achieved by a pneumococcal vaccination. Pneumococci are one of the most common causes of superinfection by bacteria in people suffering from influenza.
This vaccination is especially recommended for small children, adults older than 65 years and patients who have had their spleen removed. A very effective and also simple way of prophylaxis is frequent and thorough hand washing with soap. You should also take care to touch your face only with clean hands.
If these measures are carried out consistently, a significant transmission route of the viruses, namely via contaminated (soiled) surfaces, is already eliminated. The production of vaccines against influenza is very complex and takes about six months. At the beginning of each year, the WHO (World Health Organization) decides which vaccines are to be produced for the coming flu season.
These are then produced from chicken egg white. For this purpose, influenza viruses are introduced into hen eggs and the eggs are then incubated. The viruses multiply and can be removed after a few days and used to produce the vaccines.
The vaccine most frequently used in influenza vaccination is a so-called split vaccine (split vaccine). It contains only components of the viruses such as the surface molecules neuraminidase and haemagglutinin, but no functional viruses. The split vaccines often contain an enhancer, also called adjuvant or immune booster.
The addition of adjuvants enhances the immune system’s response to the vaccine, much less virus particles have to be added. This means that more vaccine can be produced in a shorter time and the costs for production are reduced. However, the adjuvants are also under criticism.
They are accused of being responsible for stronger inflammatory symptoms at the injection site and side effects such as headaches, chills and fever. Vaccines containing adjuvants are not recommended for children and pregnant women due to lack of experience. For these there are vaccines without the addition of vaccine boosters.
A newly developed live vaccine, in which functional viruses were applied to the nasal mucosa, had to be withdrawn from the market in Switzerland because of temporary facial paralysis. In general, however, live vaccines are more effective than slit vaccines, as they cause a stronger reaction of the immune system and thus also better protection against disease. A further protection against the most common complication, bacterial pneumonia, can be achieved by a pneumococcal vaccination.
Pneumococci are one of the most common causes of superinfection by bacteria in people suffering from influenza. This vaccination is especially recommended for small children, adults older than 65 years and patients who have had their spleen removed. A very effective and also simple way of prophylaxis is frequent and thorough hand washing with soap. You should also take care to touch your face only with clean hands. If these measures are carried out consistently, a significant transmission route of the viruses, namely via contaminated (soiled) surfaces, is already eliminated.
