Vacunas contra la gripe: Un escudo contra las amenazas estacionales / Flu Vaccinations: A Shield Against Seasonal Threats
TULSA, OK — En un panorama de problemas de salud en evolución, permanece una constante: la gripe estacional. Cada año, esta enfermedad respiratoria aparentemente común afecta a millones de personas en todo el mundo y cobra un precio significativo en la salud pública, las economías y las vidas individuales. En medio de la batalla en curso contra las enfermedades infecciosas, los profesionales de la salud insisten en que no se puede subestimar la importancia de la vacuna contra la gripe.
La gripe es un problema de salud desproporcionado entre la comunidad hispana y otros grupos minoritarios.
“Menos del 43% de los adultos negros, hispanos e indios americanos/nativos de Alaska se vacunaron durante la temporada de gripe 2021-2022”, señalan los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades (CDC) en un informe reciente, en el que destacan que los adultos hispanos tenían un 20% más de probabilidades que los blancos de ser hospitalizados tras contraer la gripe.
Una amenaza anual
La gripe es una infección vírica contagiosa causada por el virus de la gripe. Suele presentarse con síntomas como fiebre, escalofríos, tos, dolor de garganta, dolores corporales, fatiga y otros. Aunque la mayoría de las personas se recuperan en una o dos semanas, la gripe puede tener consecuencias graves, especialmente para poblaciones vulnerables como los ancianos, los niños pequeños, las mujeres embarazadas y las personas con problemas de salud subyacentes.
La gripe puede debilitar el sistema inmunitario, haciendo que las personas sean más susceptibles a infecciones secundarias como la neumonía. Vacunarse contra la gripe puede reducir el riesgo de estas complicaciones y proteger la salud respiratoria en general.
A pesar de las abrumadoras pruebas que apoyan la vacunación antigripal, persisten las ideas erróneas y las dudas sobre la vacuna. Algunas personas creen que las vacunas antigripales pueden contagiarles la gripe, un mito que se ha desmentido completamente. Las vacunas antigripales contienen virus inactivados o debilitados que no pueden causar la gripe, pero pueden estimular el sistema inmunitario para que produzca anticuerpos que protejan.
En un mundo que se enfrenta a diversos retos sanitarios, los expertos médicos coinciden en que prevenir la propagación de la gripe mediante la vacunación es una medida sencilla pero eficaz que puede salvar vidas, proteger a las poblaciones vulnerables y reforzar la salud pública. Es un recordatorio de que las pequeñas acciones pueden tener un impacto significativo en la lucha contra las enfermedades infecciosas. (La Semana)
Flu Vaccinations: A Shield Against Seasonal Threats
TULSA, OK — In an ever-evolving landscape of health concerns, one constant remains: the seasonal flu. Each year, this seemingly common respiratory illness affects millions of people worldwide, exacting a significant toll on public health, economies, and individual lives. Amid the ongoing battle against infectious diseases, health care professionals insist that the importance of flu vaccinations cannot be overstated.
The flu is a disproportionate health issue among the Hispanic community and other minority groups.
“Less than 43% of Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native adults were vaccinated during the 2021–2022 flu season,” the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said in a recent report, noting that Hispanic adults were 20% more likely than whites to be hospitalized after catching the flu.
An annual threat
The flu, is a contagious viral infection caused by influenza viruses. It typically presents with symptoms like fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and more. While most people recover within a week or two, the flu can have severe consequences, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying health conditions.
The flu is far from a minor inconvenience. It leads to hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths worldwide each year. Beyond its direct health impact, the flu places a substantial burden on healthcare systems and economies due to absenteeism from work and school.
One of the most compelling reasons to get a flu shot is to protect those at higher risk. Elderly individuals, infants, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to severe flu complications.
Achieving high vaccination rates in a community not only protects the vaccinated individuals but also creates a shield of immunity around those who cannot get vaccinated, such as people with certain medical conditions or severe allergies. This concept, known as herd immunity, helps limit the spread of the virus within communities.
By preventing flu cases, vaccinations help alleviate the strain on healthcare systems. Hospitals and clinics can direct resources toward other medical needs, and medical professionals can better manage the demands on their services.
The flu can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to secondary infections like pneumonia. Getting a flu shot can reduce the risk of these complications and protect overall respiratory health.
Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting flu vaccinations, misconceptions and vaccine hesitancy persist. Some individuals believe that flu shots can give them the flu, a myth that has been thoroughly debunked. Flu vaccines contain inactivated or weakened viruses that cannot cause the flu but can stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies for protection.
In a world grappling with various health challenges, medical experts agree that preventing the spread of the flu through vaccination is a simple yet powerful measure that can save lives, protect vulnerable populations, and bolster public health. It is a reminder that small actions can have a significant impact in the ongoing battle against infectious diseases. (La Semana)