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Reproduction
The arrival of autumn and winter triggers an alert in the Ministry of Health: the coldest period of the year is the time when the flu caused by the influenza virus increases. For this reason, normally in April, when autumn begins, the Ministry of Health carries out the National Flu Vaccination Campaign. This year, the campaign was brought forward to March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The vaccine is made up of inactivated viruses and protects against the three most common types of Influenza in South America: Influenza A H1N1, Influenza A H3N2, and Influenza B. These viruses cause a flu that should not be confused with colds.
Colds are generally caused by rhinovirus, and the symptoms are milder: They involve a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and sometimes mild fever. Cold virus infections occur several times throughout the year.
The flu is less common and has stronger symptoms, such as a high fever and a cough. The general coordinator of the National Immunization Program of the Ministry of Health, Francieli Fontana, explains how to identify influenza, which can evolve into lung problems, for example.
Influenza is also known as the flu. It is an infection of the respiratory system that can present complications. Among the main complications are pneumonia, responsible for hospital admissions across the country. The influenza virus flu usually starts with a high fever followed by muscle pain, a sore throat, a headache, a runny nose, and a dry cough. Fever is the most important symptom of the flu and lasts about three days. Respiratory symptoms such as cough become more apparent as the disease progresses. “
The Ministry of Health purchased 79 million doses of the flu vaccine, which are distributed in more than 41,000 vaccination stations throughout Brazil. Influenza is a seasonal disease, which means that it has peaks of infection at certain times of the year. Autumn and winter show an increase in the number of influenza cases, as explained by the pulmonologist and researcher at Fiocruz Patrícia Canto.
“People are more likely to catch colds and flu in the coldest time of year, precisely because places are closed and less ventilated, without sunlight and with an open window, and people end up staying together longer, which which favors transmission Brazil is a continental country and the coldest states generally have a greater number of cases, exactly due to the crowds The coldest places tend to have a higher probability of transmission, but the risk is for the entire territory national “.
The first phase of the National Flu Vaccination Campaign, which took place from March 23 to April 15, prioritized the vaccination of health workers and the elderly aged 60 and over. The second stage of the campaign began on April 16 and the priority groups are members of the security and rescue forces, the chronically ill, truckers, public transport drivers and gatherers, dock workers and the indigenous population.
As of May 9, the third stage begins, with the immunization of teachers, children from 6 months to under 6 years, pregnant women, mothers in the postpartum period, people 55 and older and people with disabilities. The campaign ends on May 22.
In case of queuing at the vaccination posts, keep at least two meters from others, mainly the elderly. And, for more information on the National Flu Vaccination Campaign, visit: saude.gov.br/vacinabrasil.
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