The
explosive prevalence of Influenza and the preventive inoculation
Persons
of more than 65 years living in Chikushino-shi and in the suburbs
can undergo the preventive inoculation for inflenza for \1,500
once <but a document from local government is necessary, maybe
aletter from munipality.>. The manicipal authorities will support
a part of its expense. But this will be finished by usually March
31. Persons who want to undergo the preventive inoculation should
finish it within December, because about 2 weeks is necessary
to get the effective immunity. The inoculation fee for persons
under 65 years is \3,500 from the last year. The preventive
inoculation cannot always prevent the infection of influenza perfectly,
but it will reduce various symptoms, and prevent some complications
such as pneumonia. Please
undergo the preventive inoculation earlier next epidemic season.
There are many patients
with infulenza type A and B <type B usually seen in Febuary,
March and April in our clinic. When you complain of sore throat,
joints pain, headache, general malaise and high fever of sudden
onset, then please consult a doctor. We can detect influenza virus
of both type A and B directly from throat and nasal cavity within
15 minutes. We will prescribe anti-influenza virus drug at once,
and this drug is more effective when the pateint takes it within
48 hours from the infection (the first symptom). But you need
not to be so nervous for this information "48 hours",
and it is important to consult a doctor soon.
Please notice that there
was a big epidemic of influenza type A several years ago and many
old persons and infants died.
Usually, please continue gargle
and keep humidity of more than 50% in your room. It is most important to prevent infection, but
if you feel headache, high fever, general malaise and joints pain
etc, you should consult a doctor soon. Earlier you begin treatment,
earlier you feel better in many diseases especially in cases of
influenza.
There are some other virus
of common cold, some of which symptoms are similar to those of
influenza, and they are Adenovirus infection, RS virus infection,
ECHO virus infection, Coxsackie virus infection and Rhino virus
infection etc. Their symptoms are similar to influenza infection,
but there is no special treatment for these virus infection except
influenza. Tamiflu 75 (ROCHE INC) etc is a specific medicine for
both Influenza A and B, but it is in short supply now due to explosive
prevalence in Japan. So you should notice "Prevention is better than cure". This saying is applicable for almost all diseases.
