Preventing flu

Recommendations for addressing the winter

What

The flu syndrome (ILI) is caused by viruses and mainly affects the respiratory system.

The infection is spread person through coughing, sneezing or even while talking.

The most effective and secure way to combat the spread is represented by the vaccination. 

Vaccination

The seasonal vaccine offers no protection against the new flu pandemic virus , because the two viruses are different.
However to be vaccinated against seasonal flu is an important measure of protective equipment.

The recommended period for vaccination is the beginning of October until late December.

Vaccination is recommended to
 

•   people aged 65 years
• Children older than 6 months, children and adults suffering from:

 
chronic respiratory diseases borne
the cardio-circulatory diseases, including congenital and acquired heart disease, diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases, kidney disease, renal failure
diseases of the hematopoietic and hemoglobinopathies
tumors, congenital or acquired diseases involving inadequate production of antibodies, immunosuppression induced by medications or HIV infection, chronic inflammatory diseases and intestinal malabsorption syndromes, diseases where major surgeries are planned, pathologies associated with an increased risk of aspiration of secretions tract (eg. neuromuscular diseases)
children and adolescents in long-term treatment with acetylsalicylic acid, at the risk of Reye's syndrome in case of influenza infection
Women who are at the beginning of the epidemic season in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy
people of all ages hospitalized with long-term care facilities
doctors and health care
relatives and contacts of high risk individuals
subjects assigned to the public services of collective interest and the primary categories of workers (police, firefighters)
people who, for reasons of employment, are in contact with animals that could be a source of infection from non-human influenza viruses.
Info

For all questions the number of the Ministry is 1500.

For further information: www.ministerosalute.it