#Influenza prevention

[firstchoicehha]

As the flu season approaches, it is essential to avoid catching the flu, especially for those receiving home health care in Corona, California. The flu can be particularly dangerous for the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, and individuals with chronic illnesses. Therefore, taking preventative measures to protect yourself and those around you is crucial.

[gumjrop]

This year’s flu shot will be missing a strain of influenza it’s protected against for more than a decade.

That’s because there have been no confirmed flu cases caused by the Influenza B/Yamagata lineage since spring 2020. And the Food and Drug Administration decided this year that the strain now poses little to no threat to human health.

Scientists have concluded that widespread physical distancing and masking practiced during the early days of COVID-19 appear to have pushed B/Yamagata into oblivion.

This surprised many who study influenza, as it would be the first documented instance of a virus going extinct due to changes in human behavior, said Dr. Rebecca Wurtz, an infectious disease physician and epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

“It is such an interesting and unique story,” Wurtz said, adding that if it were not for COVID, B/Yamagata would still be circulating.

One reason COVID mitigation efforts were so effective at eliminating B/Yamagata is there was already a fair amount of immunity in the population against this strain of flu, which was also circulating at a lower level, said Dr. Kawsar Talaat, an infectious disease physician at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 was a brand new virus that no one had encountered before; therefore, masking and isolation only slowed its transmission, but did not stop it.

The absence of B/Yamagata won’t change the experience of getting this year’s flu shot, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends to everyone over 6 months old. And unvaccinated people are no less likely to get the flu, as B/Victoria and two influenza A lineages are still circulating widely and making people sick. Talaat said the disappearance of B/Yamagata doesn’t appear to have lessened the overall burden of flu, noting that the level of illness that can be attributed to any strain varies from year to year.

The CDC estimates that between 12,000 and 51,000 people die every year from influenza.

However, the manufacturing process is simplified now that the vaccine is trivalent — designed to protect against three flu viruses — instead of quadrivalent, protecting against four. That change allows more doses to be produced, said Talaat.

Ultimately, the costs of continuing to include protection against B/Yamagata in the flu shot outweigh its benefits, said Talaat.

"If you include a strain for which you don't think anybody's going to get infected into a vaccine, there are some potential risks and no potential benefits," she said. "Even though the risks might be infinitesimal, the benefits are also infinitesimal."

Scientists and public health experts have discussed for the past couple years whether to pull B/Yamagata from the flu vaccine or wait for a possible reemergence, said Kevin R. McCarthy, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Vaccine Research. But McCarthy agrees that continuing to vaccinate people against B/Yamagata does not benefit public health.

Additionally, there is a slight chance of B/Yamagata accidentally infecting the workers who manufacture the flu vaccine. The viruses, grown in eggs, are inactivated before being put into the shots: You cannot get influenza from the flu shot. But worker exposure to live B/Yamagata might occur before it's rendered harmless.

That hypothetically could lead to a reintroduction of a virus that populations have waning immunity to because B/Yamagata is no longer making people sick. While that risk is very low, McCarthy said it doesn’t make sense to produce thousands of gallons of a likely extinct virus.

It is possible that B/Yamagata continues to exist in pockets of the world that have less comprehensive flu surveillance. However, scientists aren’t worried that it is hiding in animals because humans are the only host population for B lineage flu viruses.

Scientists determined that B/Yamagata disappeared in a relatively short period of time, and this in and of itself is a success, said McCarthy. That required collaboration and data sharing from people all over the world, including countries that the U.S. has more tenuous diplomatic relationships with, like China and Russia.

“I think the fact that we can do that shows that we can get some things right,” he said.

Sarah Boden is an independent health and science journalist based in Pittsburgh.

[rivercule]

Succession predictions:

Kendall goes to prison for defrauding investors. He and some prison friends end up starting a band (along with his boy Squiggle, of course). They find light success in jersey

Roman gets cancelled on twitter (many possible reasons) and consequently gets ousted from the company (kenfraud contributes). His next few years are spent couch surfing between conwilla, krank, and gerri (they return to amicable terms after Gerri fires him)

Shiv sees the company (and her brothers) once again falling into disarray and quietly extracts herself from waystar royco, focusing on heading the pierce deal without Kendall (prison), with Roman reminding her what numbers mean when he’s not up to big city hijinx

Tom quits to become a stay at home dad to his daughter, Logan. He and shiv remain married but it’s not like a big serious thing they just like chewing on each other. They’re both slutting it up extramaritally

Connor loses the presidency. This time. In four years he becomes the first openly libertarian president (diversity win) of the United States. but is unfortunately assassinated four months into his term. People got really parasocially invested in his marriage with Willa (a la John mulaney) so her career gets a boost from all of this.

Cousin Greg ends up inheriting the company as the last Roy still working there. It was specified in Logan (original flavor)’s will. He hates running a company. He tries and fails to burn Waystar Royco for insurance money.

[iheartvmt]

Ugggghhhhh canine influenza outbreak in the state, so of course now all the brands of the vaccines are on backorder 🙄

[masonrxpharmacy]

As the colder months approach, it's time to prioritize the health and well-being of your family by understanding the importance of flu vaccines. Flu shots are a crucial line of defence against the influenza virus, which can cause severe illness, hospitalization, and even death. At Mason Pharmacy, we emphasize the significance of protecting your family from flu and provide comprehensive flu season health tips to ensure a safer and healthier winter season.

Understanding the Influenza Vaccine

The influenza vaccine, commonly known as the flu shot, is a safe and effective way to prevent the flu. It works by exposing your immune system to inactivated or weakened strains of the influenza virus, allowing your body to build antibodies and fight off the infection if exposed. The flu vaccine is updated annually to target the most prevalent strains circulating each season, making it essential to get vaccinated every year.

[publicacionesconverclick]

GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL AUTHORITIES TO HELP REDUCE THE SPREAD OF SEASONAL INFLUENZA IN SCHOOLS

by ads Converclick on June 27, 2024

This document from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency, provides guidelines to help reduce the spread of seasonal influenza (flu) among students and staff in schools. 

[drlohmedicalblog]

Which Vaccines Should I Take?

This article will cover the key vaccines recommended for adults and why they're important.

As adults, we often think of vaccines as something primarily for children. However, immunizations play a crucial role in maintaining our health throughout our lives. In this post, we’ll explore the key vaccines recommended for adults and why they’re important. NOTE: These are general recommendations – you should always speak with your doctor for vaccinations that are specifically recommended for…

[spartanmemesmedical]

Understanding the Impact of Influenza A Virus in Hong Kong: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction: Influenza A virus, a perennial health concern globally, has a significant impact on public health in Hong Kong. This respiratory virus, known for its ability to cause seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics, poses considerable challenges to healthcare systems, communities, and individuals. In this comprehensive blog, we delve into the nuances of influenza A virus in Hong Kong,…

[feminist-space]

World Health Organization

MEDIA ADVISORY

NEW: COVID19 variant of interest JN.1

Geneva, 19 December 2023 -- Due to its rapidly increasing spread, WHO is classifying the variant JN.1 as a separate variant of interest (VOl) from the parent lineage BA.2.86. It was previously classified as VOl as part of BA.2.86 sublineages.

WHO advises people to take measures to prevent infections and severe disease using all available tools. These include:

-Wear a mask when in crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated areas, and keep a safe distance from others, as feasible

-Improve ventilation

-Practise respiratory etiquette - covering coughs and sneezes

-Clean your hands regularly

-Stay up to date with vaccinations against COVID-19 and influenza, especially if you are at high risk for severe disease

-Stay home if you are sick

-Get tested if you have symptoms, or if you might have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or influenza

For health workers and health facilities, WHO advises:

-Universal masking in health facilities, as well as appropriate masking, respirators and other PPE for health workers caring for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients.

-Improve ventilation in health facilities

Image also has alt text embedded.

[ricisidro]

Reminder: For your own and family 's protection this holiday season, avoid the 3Cs in preventing the spread of #COVID and #influenza-like illnesses (#ILI): (closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings) as #NCR's #Covid19 positivity rate rises to 22%; infections may peak ‘next week’ and the case fatality rate in the #Philippines in 2023 was 0.34% or 1 in 300 cases for severe and critical cases which constitute 22% of active Covid cases. — #OCTA via @iamguidodavid

[clinicahispanaamerica]

Being a provider of medical care, we highly recommend getting the flu vaccine. Gaining immunization from the influenza virus provides many benefits. Read on to learn more.

[mdlinehealth]

HOW DOES YOUR BODY FIGHT RESPIRATORY VIRUSES?

Respiratory viruses are a common and diverse group of pathogens that can cause a range of illnesses, from mild colds to severe respiratory diseases. They are typically transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Common respiratory viruses include the rhinovirus, influenza virus, coronavirus (COVID-19), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The…

[guiasmaternos]

Child Flu: How to Recognize, Treat, and Prevent

Child flu is a common but manageable concern for parents. Get updated information on how to recognize, treat, and prevent it. Learn about symptoms, home treatment, vaccination, myths, and more.

Child flu is more than just a simple cold and can be a frightening experience for both the child and the parents. With proper understanding of the symptoms, treatment, and preventive measures, this condition can be effectively managed. Symptoms of Child Flu Child flu symptoms may include: High fever Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Body aches Fatigue Headache Treatment Child flu…

[orcinus-veterinarius]

Information to know about your pet… before you visit the vet:

- What kind of food does your pet eat? Include the brand name and flavor, as well as the amount fed and how often they eat. Remember that “one scoop” doesn’t mean much, so be sure to quantify it in cups, etc. before your next visit. Don’t forget to mention treats, or any recent diet changes!

- What medications, if any, does your pet take? Please know the drug name, dosage, and frequency, as well as how long they’ve been on it. Preventatives count as meds too! Different brands protect against different parasites, so be sure to know which your pet takes.

- Is your pet ever exposed to other animals? This includes animals in the home, at the dog park, groomers, daycare, boarding, and play dates with neighbors or friends. When was their most recent exposure?

- Is your pet up to date on vaccines? Which ones? Just the core vaccines (rabies and DHPP for dogs/FVRCP for cats), or non-core such as lepto, influenza, Bordetella, and/or feline leukemia as well? If not up to date, did they ever receive any vaccines in the past, and when?

- Does your pet have any relevant medical history? Please disclose any previous illnesses or surgeries you are aware of to your vet team.

- What is your pet’s spay/neuter status? Different reproductive diseases affect intact and altered animals. If you’re unsure, just let us know!

- Has your pet traveled recently? This includes everything from trips out of the country to a day drive across town for a swim at the lake. Certain toxins and diseases are more prevalent in different environments.

- Is your pet nervous or aggressive? There’s no shame in this! Please let us know for our safety and your pet’s.

Remember that not all vet visits are planned, so be sure to learn this information ahead of time. I hope this helps better equip you to advocate for your pet!

Fellow vet professionals, feel free to add on!

[christophermaloneynd]

Will The Flu Shot Protect Me From This Year's Flu?

110925-N-SF704-056.jpg (Photo credit: Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet) Short answer: maybe, depending on your age. Full answer:  Every year the CDC estimates the effectiveness of the vaccine.  This year’s estimate is 62% (Complete study abstract below).  If you look at the Lancet meta-analysis of all the studies, the average effectiveness rate is 69%.  So we’re not doing well even by the CDC’s…