Thread by @WHO

#Influenza may not always be thought of as a serious illness – the symptoms of headaches, runny nose, cough, muscle pain can make people confuse it with a heavy cold.

Make sure you're prepared for the #flu season. The most effective way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated!

What most of us think of as ‘the flu’ is seasonal #influenza, so called because it comes around in the coldest season twice a year and circulates year-round in the tropics and subtropics bit.ly/2ymTAmI

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO When a new virus emerges it can turn into a pandemic if:
➡️it easily infect people
➡️it spreads between people
➡️most people have no immunity against it.
bit.ly/2ymTAmI

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO The #influenza virus is constantly mutating – essentially putting on ever-changing disguises – to evade our immune systems bit.ly/2ymTAmI

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO Another pandemic caused by a new #influenza virus is a certainty. However, we do not know when it will happen, what virus strain it will be and how severe the disease will be bit.ly/2ymTAmI

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO Influenza vaccinations are so important, especially to protect young children, older people, pregnant women, or people who have vulnerable immune systems bit.ly/2ymTAmI #VaccinesWork

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO How much do you know about seasonal #influenza?

Check WHO online course here (also available in French) 👇🏻
bit.ly/2ymTAmI

FACT: Most people infected with #influenza will recover within a few weeks, but some can develop complications including sinus and ear infections, pneumonia, heart or brain inflammations bit.ly/2ymTAmI

If you have a cold or #flu go home and rest.

‼️ Antibiotics 💊 do not treat viruses like #influenza.

FACT: The injected flu vaccine contains an inactivated virus that CANNOT give you #influenza. If you feel achy or slightly feverish, it is a normal reaction of the immune system to the vaccine, and generally lasts only a day or two bit.ly/2ymTAmI

@WHO_Europe @pahowho @WHOEMRO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO FACT: The #influenza vaccine is proven to be safe. Severe side effects are extremely rare #VaccinesWork

@WHO_Europe @pahowho @WHOEMRO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO These are 5⃣ simple steps to protect yourself against #flu:

1⃣ Get vaccinated
2⃣ Wash your 🤲 regularly
3⃣ Avoid touching your 👀, 👃 & 👄
4⃣ Avoid being around sick people
5⃣ If you don’t feel well, stay 🏠

👉bit.ly/2qwNi2w

@WHO_Europe @pahowho @WHOEMRO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO #Flu vaccination is recommended at any stage of pregnancy .

A 👶 born to an immunized mother is also immune for the first few months of its life.

@WHO_Europe @pahowho @WHOEMRO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO #Influenza can be very serious for people with conditions like:
-Diabetes
-Asthma
-Heart disease.

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself.

@WHO_Europe @pahowho @WHOEMRO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO #Influenza can be serious for older people. 👨‍🦳👵

Protect yourself and your loved ones − get vaccinated.