CHECK Berlin/Brandenburg #7

Medicine at the workplace
(WHO) usually observes these about six months
in advance to see how the influenza spreads.
This year the situation is different and difficult
to assess. Basically, the motto applies: every
vaccination counts, even if the certainty of
vaccination protection is not guaranteed.
Why are there different vaccination recommendations
for older people?
Older people aged 60 and over and seniors
are vaccinated with a high-dose vaccine. This
approach is based on the knowledge that a
high-dose vaccine, compared to a non-high-dose
vaccine, has an increased mode of action,
especially in older people. The increased
effectiveness is extremely important, since the
severity of the course of an influenza illness
can never be precisely foreseen, so that the
best possible protection against severe courses
should always be given. The performance of
the immune system decreases, especially with
increasing age, and older people in particular
can often suffer from serious complications
associated with influenza. Therefore, the use of
the right vaccine is crucial in order to minimize
the risks as well as possible.
Every vaccination counts, even if
the certainty of vaccination protection
is not always guaranteed.
What should you watch out for with a flu
vaccination? Can you do sports?
Every organism can react differently to the flu
vaccination. In general, however, it should be
said that vigorous physical exertion and sport at
performance level should be avoided, at least
shortly after the vaccine was administered.
What are the common side effects of a flu shot?
According to the Robert Koch Institute, the
seasonal influenza vaccine is actually well
tolerated. When the organism comes into
contact with the vaccine, however, there may be
temporary local reactions, such as reddening,
slight pain and swelling at the point of injection.
In general, there is always the possibility that
temporary side effects include fever, shivering,
sweating, tiredness, headache or aching limbs.
Symptoms of a temporary change in blood
Foto: Ralph Penno
Christoph Tismer –
Managing director
Betriebsarztservice
count or immediate allergic reactions after
vaccination only rarely occur.
What is the difference between a cold and
influenza?
Influenza is an illness caused by influenza viruses
and is associated with severe illness, sudden
onset of high fever, chills, cough, and / or sore
throat, headache, and body aches. Symptoms
without fever are often described as a cold by
patients – with fever as a flu-like infection. The
terminology is always mixed up because people
are often unable to differentiate between symptoms
and their causes (viral or bacterial infection).
The flu and its symptoms start very quickly,
whereas the common cold starts more slowly.
With the flu, headache and body aches as well as
fatigue are very strong (subjective pronounced
feeling of illness). Sometimes even doctors find
it difficult to tell the difference between the two
diseases because the symptoms are similar. If in
doubt, a laboratory test, such as a rapid influenza
test, can help. (red,mb)
Warning: a virus flu (influenza) is not a
simple cold, but a serious illness. The
chronically ill in particular as well as
people over the age of 60 and pregnant
women should receive a vaccination, as
they are at increased risk of the disease
having serious consequences.
A contribution from company doctor service
www.betriebsarztservice.de
Source: https://www.euro.who.int/de/health-topics/communicable-diseases/influenza/news/news/2020/5/20192020-influenzaseason-repurposing-surveillance-systems-for-covid-19
CHECK BERLIN/BRANDENBURG #7
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