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CHANGES of season that happened makes condition of air so difficult to predict. Rain and heat are turns frequently before entering the rainy season. Unpredicted weather can make decreases of body resistance, and it able to attack by any disease virus.

One of the diseases that can easily attacking in this condition is influenza. Symptoms that exposed in individuals when got flu is headache, sore throat, sneezing, runny nose and muscle aches. They also sometimes accompanied by sudden high fever and watery eyes.

Before continuing to read this blog, better us knowing first about what is influenza, vaccine and virus.

1.Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses), that affects birds and mammals. The name influenza is Italian and means “influence” (Latin: influentia). The most common symptoms of the disease are chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. Sore throat, fever and coughs are the most frequent symptoms. In more serious cases, influenza causes pneumonia, which can be fatal, particularly for the young and the elderly. Although it is often confused with other influenza-like illnesses, especially the common cold, influenza is a much more severe disease than the common cold and is caused by a different type of virus. Influenza may produce nausea and vomiting, particularly in children, but these symptoms are more common in the unrelated gastroenteritis, which is sometimes called “stomach flu” or “24-hour flu”.[wikipedia]

2. Vaccine
A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe. The agent stimulates the body’s immune system to recognize the agent as foreign, destroy it, and “remember” it, so that the immune system can more easily recognize and destroy any of these microorganisms that it later encounters. [wikipedia]

3. Virus
A virus (from the Latin virus meaning toxin or poison) is a small infectious agent that can only replicate inside the cells of another organism. Viruses are too small to be seen directly with a light microscope. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and arcahea. Since the initial discovery of tobacco mosaic virus by  Martinus Beijerinck in 1898, about 5,000 viruses have been described in detail, although there are millions of different types. Viruses are found in almost every ecosystem on Earth and these minute structures are the most abundant type of biological entity. The study of viruses is known as virology, a sub-specialty of microbiology. [wikipedia]

Influenza virus spread from one individual to another through saliva beads (droplets) in the air or direct contact with flu patients. At the time of patient flu sneezes or coughs, the virus contained in saliva grains floating through the air and can enter the body through the respiratory tract of other individuals that’s how the flu virus spread.

In fact, direct contact with flu patients, such as shaking hands will facilitate the spread of this virus. Using some of equipment such as holding hands together on the bus and the door handle in public places also can be one of spreading factor. Indeed, without realizing it, when dealing with money, you may also get “bonus” influenza virus. Although influenza virus is easily spread in fact that the body has a natural ability to fight it.

Pic.1 Influenza virus anatomy

A healthy body and fit will be able to resist from virus attacks, so the symptoms will decrease by themselves within 5 -7 days. Conversely, if the immune system is weakened, these flu viruses can worsen the body condition and it will become a bronchitis and pneumonia (pneumonia).

The main way in prevention of influenza is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Healthy lifestyle includes the consumption of a balanced nutritious diet and regular, adequate rest, regular exercise and recreation. If the pattern is always maintained, the body will always be healthy and fit. Of course, the influenza virus will not provide significant disruption.

Other actions that can be done are wash hands. Do not underestimate this simple act, hand as part of the body which most frequently have contact and it can be the spread media of influenza viruses. Wash hands with soap and clean water that flows as much as possible, especially after traveling or using public facilities.

Otherwise, whenever possible, also avoid direct or close contact with flu patients. If you are attacked by flu symptoms, you should cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief when sneezing so that the virus does not easily spread. If necessary, use a mask to reduce the risk of transmitting virus to others. Do not force yourself to work. If you’re getting worse visit the doctor and have enough rest at home. Than the condition of the body will quickly recover, you are not become spreaders of flu virus to others.

To prevent and colds treat, other ways than mentioned above, there are currently efforts influenza vaccination. The purpose of this influenza vaccination is to reduce the risk of transmission and prevent more fatal risks that lead to more deaths.

Anyone who need this vaccination? According to www.cdc.gov site, people can use it among children in the range of six months to 19 years of age, pregnant women, elderly aged over 50 years, people who have certain chronic illnesses and people with home care jobs and facilities care for long periods even require this vaccination.

Especially for mothers who are pregnant, according data from www.nytimes.com site, influenza vaccination that given including influenza A-H1N1, not only protect the pregnant mother, but also can make the fetus grow bigger, healthier, and less premature likely

In fact, according to research results of the U.S. Infectious Disease Society in Philadelphia, showed that babies before and after birth will be protected from the threat of influenza virus.

The fact is that people who have jobs that are associated with treating patients who have a high risk of flu complications, also requires that influenza vaccinations. Health experts advise people in these categories, you should use a yearly influenza vaccination.

Appropriate time in using influenza vaccination can be started in September, then in accordance with the availability of the vaccine. Along with that also adjusted to the time when the flu appeared, which often occur as in December, January and beyond, due to vary of time and duration flu appears.

Until now, common influenza vaccination is given in two type, injections and nasal spray (spray into the nasal cavity). Still according to data from the site www.cdc.gov, injections are usually given in the arm and given to people over six months age and include healthy people who have chronic illnesses. Nasal spray, given to people aged 2 to 49 years, and was not pregnant.

The protection that provided by influenza vaccination depends on the age and health status of someone who wants to use the vaccine. In some countries like America and Australia, influenza vaccine has been a government program, especially for the elderly group. And sixty percent of this group has received influenza vaccination.

In the world, giving influenza vaccine is highly recommended and needed, to support public health. So the socialization and education about important health services have been intensified so that influenza can be prevented.[pinaha]

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