Urgent: Abu Dhabi Health warns of 9 groups most at risk of contracting this infection
As part of its annual campaign to raise awareness of seasonal influenza, which falls under the purview of the "Stop the Infection" program, which the center launched with the aim of raising community awareness of a group of... Infectious diseases and ways to prevent and control them, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center administered seasonal influenza vaccinations in 111 facilities and health centers, including 15 pharmacies dispersed throughout the emirate.
The center verified that the seasonal influenza vaccine is available to all citizens and residents of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as to certain accredited private sector health facilities, pharmacies certified to offer the vaccination service, and medical facilities connected to the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Mubadala Healthcare.
According to the center, influenza is a quickly spread infectious disease that can infect a person by touching their mouth, nose, or eyes after coming into contact with contaminated surfaces or materials, or by breathing in droplets that fly into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks.
The center listed nine groups on its official website that are most vulnerable to influenza and its complications and who need to get the vaccine: health care providers; expectant mothers; young children under five; school-age children; pilgrims and Umrah performers; smokers; individuals 50 years of age and older; patients receiving treatments that may impair immune function; and patients with chronic illnesses.
He emphasized how important it is to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza, since each influenza season is unique in terms of the number of cases and the severity of symptoms. others may experience mild symptoms, others may require hospitalization, and some may pass away as a result of the infection's complications. People infected with the disease can also transmit the infection to others, whether they have symptoms or not, pointing out that taking the influenza vaccine once a year contributes to reducing the possibility of contracting the disease and transmitting it to others, in addition to reducing the possibility of the infection spreading in the community if many people take it. the vaccination.
The difference between colds and flu:
According to the Abu Dhabi Center for Public Health, although both colds and influenza are respiratory illnesses, the viruses that cause them differ, and while the symptoms of the two conditions are similar, influenza cases have more severe symptoms. Despite this, the average person finds it difficult to distinguish between the two. According to the center, headache and runny or stuffy nose are symptoms of a cold, whereas the most typical signs of influenza include fever, bodily aches, intense exhaustion, and a dry cough.
According to the center, the majority of influenza patients recover in a few days or two weeks, but some may experience worsening symptoms, such as sinus, ear, or lung irritation, or a decline in their overall health. The lives of those afflicted with influenza may also be at danger. highlighting the fact that the populations most susceptible to influenza-related complications include children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, and people with weakened immune systems.
