January 18 is the Unified Health Day – Flu and ARVI Prevention Day

The epidemic season of influenza and acute respiratory infections (hereinafter referred to as ARI) continues in the Vitebsk region, which is characteristic of this time of year.

In 2023, the Miory district recorded a 1.2-fold decrease in ARI incidence compared to 2022. In 2023, 5535 cases of ARI were registered, of which children accounted for 61.6% and adults for 38.4%. No cases of influenza were registered in the district in 2022-2023, while in 2021, 12 cases of influenza in children were registered.

Annual influenza vaccination is carried out in the district. In the 2023-2024 season, 23.84% of the population of the Miory district (4282 people) were covered by preventive influenza vaccinations. The causative agents of influenza and ARI are transmitted from person to person by airborne droplets and are quite contagious. With ARI, the disease develops gradually, most often starting with fatigue and a runny nose, and a dry cough. Influenza viruses, types A and B, are aggressive and multiply extremely rapidly, so within hours of infection, the virus causes severe damage to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, allowing bacteria to penetrate it. Influenza usually begins suddenly. Symptoms of influenza include fever, temperature of 37.5–39 °C, headache, muscle and joint pain, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose or stuffy nose, sore throat or hoarseness. Influenza exacerbates existing chronic diseases and has an extensive list of possible complications. If the first symptoms of viral diseases appear (high fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, sudden dizziness), you should immediately seek medical attention at a healthcare facility.

It should be remembered that those who are ill can be contagious for approximately 7 days from the onset of the illness, and children for even longer. Therefore, simple rules must be followed: - cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief (napkin) when sneezing or coughing; - wash your hands with soap more often; - use hand sanitizers; - do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with dirty hands; - try not to come into contact with a sick person; - in case of contact with a sick person, use protective masks; - wipe door handles and other surfaces with disinfectants more often; - increase the inflow of fresh air into living spaces; - get vaccinated against influenza in a timely manner; - it is necessary to strengthen and toughen your body, adhere to a healthy lifestyle, observe the daily routine, work and rest regime, include vegetables, fruits, juices in your diet, consume enough fluids, and walk in fresh air daily.

The best and most effective protection against influenza is immunization, as it is the vaccine that provides protection against those types of influenza virus that are most relevant in the current epidemiological season and are included in its composition. The introduction of the vaccine into the body cannot cause the disease, but by producing protective antibodies, it stimulates the immune system to fight infection.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones, follow preventive measures!

Epidemiologist (Head of Department) of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Department of the Mior District Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology E.A. Tonkovid