With the arrival of autumn comes the season of colds, flu and other viruses. The flu in particular is often underestimated and mistaken for a common cold. However, its course is unpredictable and can end in hospitalization or death. Every year, he is responsible for up to 2 thousand death.

Influenza is a highly infectious viral disease with a rapid onset accompanied by fever, chills, pain (head, joints, muscles) and significant fatigue. The virus is spread by droplets (mostly by sneezing and talking), it can also stick to objects (contact with a sick person).

Prevention plays an essential role in protecting against the flu (and also against the disease of COVID-19).

It is important to think about:

• varied diet,
• sufficient supply of vitamins or preparations to support immunity,
• hand hygiene (thorough hand washing or disinfection),
• healthy lifestyle (related to regular exercise),
• regular and intensive ventilation (even in the winter months),
• suitable clothing for being outside and inside,
• hardening (e.g. showering with lukewarm water) etc.

However, the most effective protection is vaccination.

The flu occurs in the Czech Republic every year in the winter months (mainly between December and March). Vaccination is therefore suitable in the autumn before the start of the flu season.

The production of vaccines is repeated every year because the flu virus is constantly changing and the formulation must be adapted to the expected variants of the virus.

Influenza affects all age groups of the population and the course is highly variable. A serious ongoing disease can occur not only in chronically ill persons and the elderly, but also in healthy children or adults.

You can pick up the flu vaccine (VAXIGRIP TETRA) at VFN pharmacies.

Taken from the web portal of the Czech Chamber of Pharmacy, 25/10/2022