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Influenza - Treat early on
Influenza is an annual acute respiratory inflammation caused by influenza viruses, potentially leading to severe symptoms and complications. Seek immediate medical attention when symptoms arise, especially if you are in a risk group.
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Lastent. dosentti, lasten hematol. erik.lääk.
Laboratoriosektorin johtaja
Influenza in a nutshell
- Influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses A and B, affecting 5–15% of the population each winter.
- Risk groups for influenza include preschool-aged children, pregnant women, those over 65, and those with chronic illnesses and their close contacts.
- Influenza viruses constantly mutate, necessitating the annual renewal of the vaccine in the autumn before the epidemic begins.
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Symptoms of influenza
The onset of symptoms is fast and the patient feels ill. A really bad cough and other symptoms related to the respiratory tract only develop in the later stages of the disease.
Typical symptoms of influenza include:
- Sudden onset of high fever without a real cold
- Muscle aches
- Worsening cough
- Headache concentrated on the forehead
- Abdominal pain
Even healthy adults can suffer from influenza and its sequelae for a long period of time.
- The presence of influenza virus can be reliably diagnosed with a quick analysis of a nasal cavity sample. In a best case scenario, it is possible for a doctor to determine the pathogen and the correct mode of treatment in just thirty minutes after obtaining the sample, says Kristina Hotakainen, Director of Laboratory Services at Mehiläinen.
Treatment of influenza
For healthy working-age individuals, seasonal influenza is usually accompanied by high fever but improves with home care.
Home Care. Typically, the treatment for influenza involves rest, ample fluid intake, and pain and fever-reducing medication as symptomatic relief. Since influenza is a viral infection, antibiotics are ineffective against it.
Stay Home. It is advisable to stay home if you have symptoms.
Recovery. If secondary infections are avoided, the illness usually resolves in less than two weeks.
Risk Groups. It is advisable for those in risk groups to seek medical attention immediately upon the appearance of typical symptoms, and for healthy individuals if the fever is high and general well-being is poor. There are a few antiviral drugs available that inhibit the virus's reproduction. Starting antiviral treatment at the beginning of the illness significantly shortens its duration and reduces the risk of subsequent illnesses.
For the diagnosis and initiation of treatment, it is crucial for those in risk groups to visit a doctor soon after the onset of typical symptoms in the treatment of influenza.
Five tips for preventing infections
1
Get the flu vaccine before the flu season starts.
2
Wash your hands frequently, including before meals, after blowing your nose, and after being outside.
3
Avoid touching your face, as this can easily transfer viruses to the mucous membranes of the respiratory system.
4
Cough away from other people into a disposable tissue or your sleeve.
5
Stay home when you have symptoms to prevent spreading the disease.
Influenza vaccination is the most effective mode of protection
Vaccination is the most effective mode of protection against influenza and preventing its transmission. Vaccinations can prevent up to 7–8 out of 10 influenza infections among those of working age in good basic health. As influenza viruses mutate every year, we recommend getting vaccinated against seasonal influenza every autumn.
It takes about two weeks to develop immunity. There are no live influenza viruses in the vaccine, so it is impossible to get an infection from the vaccine. Seasonal influenza vaccination only provides protection against influenza. The vaccination does not provide protection against rhinitis, common cold or other respiratory tract infections.
Even if you become infected, your symptoms will be less severe if you have been vaccinated. As usual, influenza vaccinations are recommended as part of the general vaccination programme for patients belonging to a high-risk group due to their health status and their loved ones. The treatment of the following primary diseases includes influenza vaccination: chronic heart, lung and kidney diseases and diabetes.
Influenza vaccinations are particularly helpful to children under school age, pregnant people, people over 65, anyone who belongs to a high-risk group and their loved ones.
Note! The Kanta fee will not be added to the price of the influenza vaccination. Possible time-bound promotional prices may differ from these.
Read more about group discounts for vaccinations
Mehiläinen’s Mobile Benefits and their use
Take into account in the price list
The price includes the vaccine and the nurse’s fee. The outpatient fee will not be added to the price of vaccines. The Kanta fee is 3,70 € per vaccination appointment.| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis A (adult) | 111,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Hepatitis A (under 16 years old) Information about the traveler's vaccinations. | 86,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Hepatitis A+B vaccine (adult) | Mobile Benefit 115,00 € No Kela reimbursement 124,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Hepatitis A+B vaccine (under 16 years old) | Mobile Benefit 89,00 € No Kela reimbursement 102,10 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Influenza vaccine The Kanta fee will not be added to the price of the influenza vaccination. Book a vaccination appointment | 55,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine The price includes a group discount of 20 €. Book a vaccination appointment | 173,50 € No Kela reimbursement |
| High-dose influenza vaccine for people aged over 60 The Kanta fee will not be added to the price of the influenza vaccination. Book a vaccination appointment | 95,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| High-dose influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine The price includes a group discount of 20 €. Book a vaccination appointment | 213,50 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Nasal spray influenza vaccine (2-17 year olds) The outpatient fee will not be added to the price of vaccine. Book a vaccination appointment | 82,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| COVID-19 vaccine The Kanta fee will not be added to the price of the COVID-19 vaccination. Book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination. | 142,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Tetanus and diphtheria vaccine Information about the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine. Book an appointment for vaccination | 56,90 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (dtap) vaccine Information about the tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine. | 73,60 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Pneumococcal vaccine | Mobile Benefit 122,00 € No Kela reimbursement 133,10 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine (adults) Price per vaccination. More information about the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine. Book an appointment for tick-borne encephalitis vaccination
| Mobile Benefit 62,00 € No Kela reimbursement 71,30 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine (children) Price per vaccination. More information about the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine. Book an appointment for tick-borne encephalitis vaccination | Mobile Benefit 62,00 € No Kela reimbursement 68,50 € No Kela reimbursement |
Read more about vaccinationsPrices
Frequently asked questions about influenza
Many people know the name influenza, but they often don’t know what makes the illness different from the common cold. However, influenza is a much more sudden and severe illness than the common cold. There are influenza epidemics every winter.
- Influenza is an infectious disease of the respiratory tract that involves a fever and is often severe.
- Influenza symptoms usually include a sudden fever, body aches, a cough and other respiratory symptoms. Influenza can also cause headaches and a general feeling of being unwell. Children may also have abdominal or bowel symptoms.
- Most people who get influenza will recover in less than two weeks.
- Complications from influenza include pneumonia, acute bronchitis, sinus infections as well as problems such as the worsening of asthma. Ear infections are the most common influenza complication in children.
Influenza is spread through respiratory droplets, such as when someone coughs or sneezes. You can also get infected through contact, such as by your hands. Influenza spreads easily in situations where there are a lot of people together in a small space, such as at day care centres and schools and on public transport.
Those who have influenza can infect others before actual symptoms appear. Infectiousness is at its highest 1–4 days after the onset of symptoms, and adults will be infectious for about one week. Children may be infectious for up to two weeks.
In addition to the influenza vaccine, hand washing and good hygiene when coughing or sneezing can also help prevent influenza.
- those aged over 65
- young children
- those who are pregnant
- those who belong to a high-risk group despite their age, such as people with a cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung disease, liver disease or kidney disease
- patients whose immune system has weakened due to an illness or its treatment
Generally, the seasonal flu epidemic is most active in Finland in January-February, but the flu can also occur from October to April. The flu season is different in different parts of the world. It is likely to get the flu in the southern hemisphere even during the summer months in Finland.
In addition, a traveler may be exposed to the flu virus even before reaching their actual destination, for example at the airport where there are many people. Good hand hygiene is always important for preventing both the flu and other infections.
