Flu guard

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150302/jsp/knowhow/story_6392.jsp

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Your Health - Dr. Gita Mathai

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Pandemics (diseases that do not recognise geographic or political boundaries) affect people all over the world. There have been pandemics of influenza (the most recent being the swine flu epidemic), measles and plague at various times in history. An epidemic, on the other hand, is said to occur when a large number of people in a given area are affected in a short space of time (two weeks). Common epidemics are colds, conjunctivitis and, the most lethal in recent times, the SARS (Severe Respiratory Distress Syndrome) outbreak. Endemic diseases like malaria simmer constantly in the population in Africa and India, with some people affected all the time.

There appears to be a swine flu epidemic in India at present. The virus is an unusually virulent, mutated form of the original H1N1 swine flu virus. It is believed to have combined with the bird flu (avian) virus and other human influenza strains.

The flu season starts around October. It lasts till March. Immunisation is available against flu. It is safe. It can be given after the age of six months to children, adults, pregnant women and senior citizens. Immunity levels rise after two weeks and lasts six to eight months. This means re-vaccination has to be done every year in October. Even if you do get the disease after immunisation, it is likely to be mild and not fatal.

We should also follow basic hygiene techniques like coughing or sneezing only into a handkerchief, or into the crook of the elbow, and washing hands frequently. A face mask is more likely to prevent you from infecting others and not vice versa.

Infectious diseases, both bacterial and viral, can be prevented by timely immunisation. At birth, BCG is given. Even though it does not protect against all tuberculosis it does shield against the more lethal forms like tuberculosis meningitis.

The triple antigen DPT (diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus) vaccine can be combined with OPV (oral polio vaccine) or IPV (injectable polio vaccine), Hib (H. Influenzae, not flu), Hepatitis B, and pneumococcal vaccine. It is given three times in the first year and then boosters (DPT/OPV/IPV alone) are given at the age of one and a half years and five years. Further boosters against diphtheria and tetanus (dT or dual antigen) have to be given at the age of 10 and 16 years.

Rotavirus causes dangerous child diarrhoea. Immunisation can be given after the age of two months.

A measles shot is first given at the age of 10 months. The immunity rapidly wanes. It is combined with mumps and rubella vaccines as MMR. The first dose of MMR is given at 15 months and a booster at 4-5 years. The chicken pox vaccine should be given at 13-15 months of age. A booster can be given at 4-5 years of age.

The hepatitis A vaccine, given as two doses six months apart after the age of 18 months, provides lifetime immunity. After the age of nine children (especially girls) should be immunised against HPV (human papillovirus), responsible for cervical cancer.

Much of the spread of swine flu could have been prevented if Indians had immunised themselves in October 2014. Don't forget to do so in 2015.

Dr Gita Mathai is a paediatrician with a family practice at Vellore. Questions on health issues may be emailed to her atyourhealthgm@yahoo.co.in