How long does the flu vaccine last?

Written by Wang Ji Zhong

Internal Medicine

Updated on September 17, 2024

00:00

00:00

Compared to the common cold, influenza causes more severe symptoms and is more contagious. Antibiotics are ineffective against it, but influenza can be prevented, and vaccination is the most effective way. Currently, the immunity from the influenza vaccine generally lasts about one year. It starts to work about a month after injection, but after six months, the concentration of antibodies in the body gradually declines. Additionally, the virus mutates every year, so an annual vaccination is necessary to provide effective protection, reduce symptoms, and prevent influenza.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Yuan Qing

Pulmonology

57sec

home-news-image

Does the flu cause vomiting?

Influenza refers to a group of diseases characterized by cough, sore throat, and fever following upper respiratory tract infection by influenza virus. However, influenza has its peculiarities. Apart from respiratory symptoms, influenza can also present with nausea, vomiting, and even abdominal pain and diarrhea. Thus, it is entirely possible for influenza patients to experience vomiting. However, due to some doctors' lack of understanding of influenza, the vomiting caused by influenza is often mistaken for acute gastroenteritis or treated as acute gastritis. This can lead to inappropriate medication use, resulting in prolonged illness. Therefore, if a patient has fever, nausea, vomiting, or sore throat, it is crucial to promptly consider the possibility of influenza to avoid delaying the diagnosis and treatment.

home-news-image

Written by Yuan Qing

Pulmonology

55sec

home-news-image

Can people with phlegm-dampness eat eggs?

Yes. Influenza refers to a type of disease characterized by fever, sore throat, and cough which occurs after human body is infected with influenza viruses, including type A, B, and C. It is also called epidemic influenza. Influenza is a class B infectious disease as legally defined in our country and has a certain transmissibility among the population. Patients often experience fatigue, loss of appetite, and decreased resistance after contracting influenza. As for eggs, they contain a balanced mix of nutrients, including rich proteins, trace elements, amino acids, and common vitamins, etc. Therefore, it is generally recommended to consume some eggs during influenza to improve the nutritional status and resistance of patients, which is beneficial for their recovery.

home-news-image

Written by Li Fang Xiao

Internal Medicine

51sec

home-news-image

How to get a flu vaccine?

Influenza vaccines are mainly produced to prevent epidemic influenza and are currently available in three main types: Type A, B, and C. The target population for influenza vaccine administration primarily includes the elderly, preschool children, and patients with chronic underlying diseases, who are more suitable for vaccination. For children under three years old, the influenza vaccine should be administered twice, as it is administered via muscle injection and cannot be used intravenously. For this age group, the two doses should be spaced at least four weeks apart. For children over three years old and adults, an annual vaccination is sufficient. The optimal time for influenza vaccination is usually in September and October, as influenza tends to outbreak in winter and spring, so vaccinating during these months can greatly prevent influenza.

home-news-image

Written by Yuan Qing

Pulmonology

58sec

home-news-image

The incubation period of influenza is how many days?

The incubation period refers to the time from when pathogenic microorganisms invade the human body to when symptoms appear. We call this the incubation period. The duration of the incubation period is related to the patient's resistance and the virulence of the pathogenic microorganisms. Generally speaking, the incubation period for influenza A is usually about 2-4 days, while for other types like influenza B and C, the incubation period can often reach 5-7 days. During the incubation period of influenza, patients often do not exhibit typical flu symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, and fever. The primary manifestations may be general malaise, such as muscle and skeletal pain, loss of appetite, poor digestion, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Therefore, it is very easy to misdiagnose these symptoms as other diseases during the incubation period.

home-news-image

Written by Yuan Qing

Pulmonology

52sec

home-news-image

What fruits can people with edema eat?

Influenza refers to a group of diseases that occur when the respiratory system of the human body is infected by the influenza virus, primarily characterized by coughing, sore throat, and fever. However, besides causing respiratory symptoms, the influenza virus can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and can also lead to a decrease in appetite. Fruits, due to their abundant fluid content and rich vitamins and minerals, are particularly suitable for consumption during influenza when appetite is reduced. It is generally recommended that patients eat some fruits that clear heat, reduce fire, and nourish the yin, such as pears, tangerines, lotus roots, sugarcane, and water chestnuts. These fruits can effectively treat influenza and also supplement the needed nutrients.