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Influenza, often confused with the common cold, is a more serious global health problem than one might think. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus affects about 1 billion people worldwide each year and causes 290,000 to 650,000 deaths. Influenza is one of the most common causes of influenza-like illness (ILI). Severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) often result in hospitalization.
The situation in India is particularly worrying. The subtypes influenza A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) as well as influenza B are also widespread. According to the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), nearly 15,000 cases of H1N1 influenza have been reported in India this year through August 31, 2024, almost twice as many cases as in 2023. In Europe, influenza season is limited to winter, in India, however, influenza activity occurs throughout the year, with different peaks occurring in different regions of the country, with most peaks occurring in winter. Monsoon and winter This ongoing threat is putting great pressure on India's healthcare system as it grapples with increasing numbers of patients showing flu symptoms such as fever, cough and sore throat or requiring hospitalization.
People at risk: Influenza alone can be treated, but in rare cases it can cause serious illness, including an increase in non-respiratory events such as pneumonia, respiratory failure and even cardiovascular events. Patients at risk of serious consequences from influenza infection include chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, heart, nervous system, metabolism (diabetes) or liver, as well as patients of advanced age (5 including patients under 65 years of age and over 65 years). Pregnant women and patients with weakened immune systems are also at increased risk. Even healthy people are not immune to the far-reaching social and economic consequences of this disease. This disease can lead to absenteeism, reduced productivity and increased medical costs.
Vaccination: A Critical Line of Defense: Vaccination is considered the most important public health measure for the prevention, transmission, and potential side effects of influenza infection. The Ministry of Health recommends vaccinations for high-risk groups, and almost all medical societies emphasize annual flu vaccination. Yet despite the obvious and present danger, vaccination rates in India are shockingly low. Therefore, it is essential that healthcare providers educate their patients about the flu vaccination and ensure that they get vaccinated every year. The World Health Organization recommends annual flu vaccination as the most important step in preventing this disease. Medical support is of utmost importance as doctors are considered to be the most reliable medium for carrying out medical procedures.
Influenza viruses are constantly evolving and vaccine formulations need to be updated annually. The World Health Organization continuously monitors influenza viruses and recommends twice-yearly seasonal flu vaccine combinations for flu seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. This close monitoring of influenza is done to predict which strains will be circulating during the upcoming flu season and to inform vaccine manufacturers on the development of appropriate vaccines. Due to the continuous evolution of the virus due to antigenic changes, the vaccine composition is updated annually based on the monitoring results. The WHO recommended 2024/2025 Northern Hemisphere Influenza vaccine is now available in India for the current 2024-2025 winter flu season. This is a great opportunity to protect our communities from this disease.
Flu prevention is a shared responsibility. By taking preventative measures, together we can protect public health, protect our loved ones and build a more resilient healthcare system.
