Influenza

It is often not easy to tell whether it is flu, a cold or COVID-19, as the symptoms are very similar. Nevertheless, there are key differences in how they progress, their severity and the risks involved. Whilst a common cold usually starts gradually, the real flu often hits you like a blow, and COVID-19 continues to present a wide variety of variants. In this article, you’ll learn how to interpret your body’s warning signs correctly, what characteristics are typical of each pathogen, and when you should definitely see a doctor.

The flu vaccine administered via nasal spray is a needle-free alternative for children and young people. It contains attenuated influenza viruses and is administered directly via the nasal mucosa, where it triggers a local immune response in the respiratory tract. As part of the public vaccination programme, it is available free of charge for children in Austria from their paediatrician. Read all about how it works, its protective effect, possible side effects and the benefits of the nasal spray vaccine against seasonal flu here.