Taikoo and Tsim Sha Tsui | DYM health care

Our clinic has the following quadrivalent influenza vaccine. Both type A and type B influenza have two types of virus and the vaccines are effective for a total of four types of influenza virus. Vaccnie stock is limited. Please make an appointment and reserve one for you.

◆Ａ型
•　A/Michigan/45/2015 （H1N1）pdm09-like virus
•　A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2)-like virus

◆Ｂ型
•　B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus (B/Victoria/2/87 lineage)
•　B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (Yamagata lineage)

The below is a quick reference chart for influenza vaccine. Children under 9 years of age who have never been vaccinated with influenza vaccine in the past need to receive two doses.

Age	Vaccination history	Number of Necessary Vaccination	Remarks
		0.5ml
Adults (over 9 years old)	I have been vaccinated in the past	1 time
	Never been vaccinated in the past	1 time
Children (6 months - 8 years old)	I have been vaccinated in the past	1 time
	Never been vaccinated in the past	2 times

＊Children under 6 months vaccinated

Q1．What kind of illness is influenza?
A1．It is an illness caused by Influenza virus infection.

Q2．What are the symptoms of influenza?
A2．The main symptoms are upper respiratory tract symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose. There are other symptoms of lower respiratory tract including bronchitis and pneumonia. The fever can be quite high from 38 to 39 degrees. There may be fatigue and muscle pain. An adult patient may experience back pain. Influenza can affect appetite. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea may also occur. Symptoms of these digestive system are more often seen in children than adults.

Q3．Is there any case of influenza without these symptoms?
A3．Yes. Symptoms of influenza vary considerably depending on the individulas and types of influenza virus infected. Typical symptoms are fever of 38 to 39 degrees, dry cough, muscle pain and back pain. However, there are cases with no such symptom. Some people only have a bit of fever or cough.

Q4．How can I prevent influenza?
A4．Influenza is infected through secretions or contact, meaning cough, sneezing, talking and close contact. To prevent influenza infection within your family, avoid contact as much as much as possible with the infected family member. Do not share toys and utensils including spoons, forks and cups with an infected person. When eating together and sharing a dish, use a serving spoon.

Wash your hands thoroughly. Hands are covered with secretions including nasal secretions and saliva. Both nfected person and the family members are advised to wash hands thoroughly and put on a mask in the house as well. If in fected with influenza virus, you are advised not to attend school. Symptoms of influenza will last for 5 to 7 days. Start attending school 48 hours after the fever goes down. During influenza season, it is better to avoid going to crowded places incuding department stores.

Q5．Can the vaccination prevent infection?
A5．Yes. Although 100% prevention cannot be guaranteed by vaccination, in the study for 2015/16 targeting children of 6 years old and under, the prevention rate of influenza vaccine reported is as high as 60%. Vaccinations are also effective in reducing the severity of the symptoms.

Q6．Who should receive vaccination most?
A6．Vaccination is recommended for the following people.
・Child aged 6 months or older and under 5 years old
・Elderly people over 65 years old
・People with chronic disease
・Children with autoimmune disease
・Pregnant women or women considering having a child
・People with BMI (body mass index) of 40 or more
・Persons of 18 years old or under and taking aspirin regularly

When these people are infected with influenza virus, they may have severer symptoms or serious complications. Therefore, they are strongly advised to recieve vaccination,.

※ Pregnant women should consult a doctor for the timing of vaccination.

Q7．How long is the antibody effective?
A7．It depends on the type of vaccines. For the vaccines offered at our clinic, the antibody becomes maximum at six months after vaccination but the effect lasts for about one year.

Q8．Are there people who should not receive influenza vaccination?
A8．Influenza vaccine can cause allergic reation. A person who has had an serious allergic reaction to influenza vaccine in the past should not receive the vaccine. Also, people allergic to egg should be careful. Since the influenza vaccine is cultured in eggs, egg components may be remained in the vaccine. When those with egg allergies want to be vaccinated, vaccnination should be done at a well equipped hospital and they should be monitored for atleast 30 minutes following the vaccination.

Q9．Should I take Tamiful (antiviral drug)?
A9．Although taking Tamiflu may have an effect of speeding up recovery, it doesn't mean everyone infected with influenza virus has to take Tamiflu. Tamiflu is usually recommended for people with the highest risk of further complications in their recovery. As mentioned above, children from 6 months to 5 years old, elderly people, people with chronic disease, children with autoimmune diseases, pregnant women or women thinking of having a child, peopole with BMI (body mass index) of 40 or more, people who are under 18 years old and taking aspirin, are strongly recommended to take Tamiflu. The most effective way to take Tamiflu is to take within 48 hours after symptoms start to develop. The side effects of Tamiflu are symptoms of digestive system includgin nausea, vomiting and stomach discomfort,.

Q10．If I do not get better after treament or medication, should I consult the doctor again?
A10．If symptoms seem to be getting worse after treatment or 3 days of medication, we recommend you go back for another consutation. The peak of symptoms is the first few days. It is not surprising if the symptoms get worse on day 2 rather than day 1. It gets better gradually after around three days and usually a fully recovery can be expected after 5 to 7 days. However, cough may linger for a longer period and fatigue may last for a few weeks.