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Influenza - Prevention
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
Specific prevention of influenza
Specific prevention of influenza is based on the use of live or inactivated vaccines. Vaccination against influenza is carried out in the autumn-winter period. The protective effect lasts for at least a year. Currently, inactivated influenza vaccines are used, which have low reactogenicity, a high degree of safety and sufficient immunogenicity. Vaccination reduces the incidence rate and contributes to a milder, uncomplicated course of the disease.
Non-specific prevention of influenza
Prevention of influenza comes down to isolating patients, providing medical care at home when epidemic outbreaks occur. During an epidemic, visits to patients in hospitals are canceled, and children's attendance at entertainment events is limited. Persons in constant contact with the patient must wear 4-layer gauze bandages (masks) both in hospitals and at home.
Non-specific prevention of influenza is based on the use of:
- chemotherapeutic agents [rimantadine, oseltamivir, arbidol (methylphenylthiomethyl-dimethylaminomethyl-hydroxybromindole carboxylic acid ethyl ester)];
- immunopreparations (interferon preparations and interferon inducers).
Methods and means are used to prevent infection (adaptogens, vitamins, hardening).
It is necessary to ventilate the room where the patients are. Ultraviolet irradiation and wet treatment of the rooms with a 0.2-0.3% solution of chloramine B or other disinfectants are recommended. Linen, towels and handkerchiefs of patients must be boiled, and floors and furniture should be treated with disinfectant solutions.