But at the beginning of spring this year, many parents did not have a very relaxed life because it was the peak period of flu. The full name of influenza is influenza, which is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus.

Just finished the New Year’s Eve and is preparing for the New Year’s Day. But at the beginning of spring this year, many parents did not have a very relaxed life because it was the peak period of flu. The full name of influenza is influenza , which is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus . Winter is the peak season for influenza, and children are an important group of people suffering from influenza.

But how scary is this stream? Some parents may think, isn’t it just the flu? What a big deal! There will be peaks every year, as for it? Mother Jasmine wants to say that it’s really true! Among the global annual incidence of influenza, 3 million to 5 million are serious cases each year, of which 290,000 to 650,000 die, of which the probability of children suffering from influenza is about 20 to 30%.

Professor Xu Yi, deputy director of the internal medicine department and director of the infectious department of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, said that this year's influenza is different from the previous ones who like to attack the lungs of children. This year's virus prefers to attack the children's nervous system . Once the virus attacks the nervous system, the chance of necrotizing encephalitis will be greatly increased.

So the question is, what are the differences between influenza and common cold ? Today, Mom Jasmine will take all the new dads and new moms to learn about it. The questions you want to know whether or not you need to get a flu vaccine and how to get it is all here!

What is the difference between influenza and common cold?

Difference 1: Seasonal

• Influenza will be seasonal. For example, November to March in the north, summer and winter in the south are all high-incidence periods of influenza. The common cold has no obvious seasonality and may be "infected" all year round.

Difference 2: Combat

• Common cold is more "Buddhist" and weaker combat, but local manifestations are sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throat , etc. Influenza patients will experience headaches, fatigue, , muscle aches, cough and fever for 3 to 5 days.

Difference 3: transmission

• Although both colds have certain transmission, the common cold is relatively weak. As long as you do not directly contact the patient's nose, saliva, etc., and isolate it well, it is basically not easy to be infected. Influenza will spread through air droplets, which is more likely to cause a wide range of epidemic viruses.

What are the good ways to prevent influenza?

In fact, there are only two ways to prevent influenza: first, wash your hands frequently; second, get vaccinated. Don’t underestimate the simple word “washing hands frequently”. The hands are the parts we touch the outside most often, especially children, who like to touch their hands everywhere.

Imagine that influenza patients accidentally splashed into public places by coughing, sneezing, etc., and the baby just touched this public place and did not wash his hands in time, so he would easily be infected.

On October 23 last year, the National Health and Family Planning Commission issued the latest notice: Influenza vaccination is the most effective means to prevent influenza virus infection.

But it should be noted that you will not be infected with influenza after being vaccinated. The effect is determined by different influenza epidemic strains every year. However, the protective effect of the influenza vaccine is about 60% and is the first line of defense for the arrival of influenza, and it is still very worthy of vaccination.

Several questions you want to know about influenza vaccine

Question 1: Is it still too late to get influenza vaccine now?

What many parents are most concerned about is whether it is still too late to take their children to get vaccinated? However, depending on the physical condition of different children, influenza vaccine usually needs to be vaccinated for 2 to 4 weeks before the level of protection can be produced, and the strength of the antibody begins to decay after 6 to 8 months. But if you haven’t received the vaccine yet, it’s better to get it as soon as possible.

Question 2: Is there an age limit for vaccination?

People who have babies over 6 months old or older and who have no contraindications can be vaccinated. If you take your child to get vaccinated, there will be different applicable groups according to the dose of the vaccine: there are two doses of 3-valent vaccines: 0.25ml and 0.5ml, which are suitable for babies under 3 years old and children over 3 years old respectively; there is only 0.5ml in China, which is also suitable for children over 3 months old.

Question 3: How many shots should I get to get vaccinated?

Regarding how many shots a child should receive when he is vaccinated, it is actually determined based on whether he has been vaccinated and his age. The first vaccination at the age of 6 months to 8 years old requires two vaccinations, with about 4 weeks apart. If you have received the vaccine once between 2017 and 2018, or a child over 9 years old only needs to receive it once this year.

Question 4: Is the vaccinated safe?

Last year, Changchun Changsheng vaccine manufacturer was exposed to have fake vaccines. Not only was they fined 9.1 billion yuan, but their influenza vaccine production qualifications were also cancelled. This year, there is a Changchun Biotechnology in the influenza vaccine production factory, which is not the same company as Changchun Changsheng, so everyone can feel at ease to let their children get vaccinated.

Question 5: Will you get influenza after being vaccinated?

Some children will experience adverse reactions such as fever, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and myalgia after getting vaccinated, but this is actually normal. This is because the vaccine stimulates the body's own immune system, allowing the body to undergo a "exercise" of suffering from influenza, which is not toxic.

Question 6: Are there any other adverse reactions to vaccination?

Different adverse reactions may occur depending on the physical condition of the child, but if the condition is mild, it will usually improve within 2 days. Side effects that may occur after vaccination include blush, swelling, hardness, pain, and burning sensation at the vaccination site. Or there is fever, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, , fatigue, myalgia, general discomfort, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If the child's condition is serious and has not improved after 2 days, you should seek medical treatment in time and explain the situation.

Question 7: Under what circumstances can’t you get the flu vaccine?

For example, Liuzi is allergic to certain ingredients contained in influenza, and it is not recommended to get influenza vaccination. In addition, if you suffer from acute diseases and symptoms such as fever and runny nose, you also need to wait until your child recovers before getting vaccinated.

Question 8: What is the difference between 3-valent and 4-valent vaccines?

If you can choose both vaccines, Jasmine Mother certainly recommends that you get a 4-valent vaccine, because the 4-valent vaccine has stronger protective power than the 3-valent vaccine. However, Jasmine's mother reminds that the domestic 4-valent vaccine is only vaccinated by children over 3 years old, and children under 3 years old, including 3 years old, can only be vaccinated by children under 3 years old.

Question 9: Can influenza vaccine be vaccinated with other vaccines?

has clearly stated that it is OK according to the latest published influenza vaccination guidelines. However, some cities may have cases where Class I and Class II vaccines cannot be vaccinated at the same time, depending on the circumstances of different cities.

Question 10: I got vaccinated last year, do I still need to get vaccinated this year?

Jasmine Mother also mentioned above that after vaccination, the antibody strength will decline in the body for 6 to 8 months. In addition, the epidemic strains of the influenza virus every year are different, and the vaccines targeted each year are different. So I have to get vaccinated every year!

Welcome readers to share with Jasmine Mom’s vaccination situation in your area in the comment area so that everyone can learn more about it. Friends who like the article are welcome to forward and collect it. Reply to the comment section "My mother takes you to buy, buy, buy, buy, buy, buy, buy, and chat with a group of new parents and expectant mothers during pregnancy!

I am Jasmine's mother, a former Internet executive, with 10 years of global procurement experience, holding a baby in one hand and starting a business. The brain of a top student, rational thinking, and personal experience will lead you to select good products from the world!