Influenza is commonly known as "the flu.” Influenza or flu is a respiratory illness caused by the RNA viruses that infect the respiratory tract of animals, birds, and humans. Flu is highly contagious and is usually spread by the coughs and sneezes of a person who is infected.
What are the causes of Influenza?
Influenza is caused by the influenza viruses. They are divided into three types, A, B, and C.
Influenza types A and B are responsible for respiratory illness that occur almost every winter and that are often related to hospitalization or death.
Influenza type C differs from types A and B. It usually causes very mild respiratory illness or has no symptoms at all. It does not have a severe health impact like influenza types A and B.
When spread through droplets or direct contact, the virus replicates in the respiratory tract (if not killed by immune system) and damages the host cells.
In people who are immune compromised (for example, pregnant individuals, infants, cancer patients, asthma patients and many others), the virus may cause viral pneumonia or stress the individual's body, making them even more susceptible to bacterial infections, especially bacterial pneumonia.
Both types of pneumonia, viral and bacterial, can cause serious diseases and sometimes lead to death.
What are the signs and symptoms of Influenza?
Symptoms of influenza may start quite suddenly, one to two days after infection.
The first symptoms usually are chilly sensations or fever with body temperatures ranging from 38-39 °C.
Other symptoms of influenza may include
Cough
Nasal congestion
Body aches, especially joints and throat
Fatigue
Headache
Irritated, watering eyes
Reddened eyes, skin (especially face), mouth, throat and nose
In children, there may be gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.
How is Influenza transmitted?
Influenza spreads in these three major ways:
Direct transmission: When an infected person sneezes, the mucus may be transmitted directly into the eyes, nose or mouth of another person
Airborne: When someone inhales the aerosols produced by an infected person while coughing, sneezing or spitting
Contact: This is through hand-to-eye, hand-to-nose or hand-to-mouth contact. It can either from contaminated surfaces or from direct personal contact like a hand-shake
The time during which a person may be infectious to someone else, starts a day before the symptoms appear. The virus is then released for upto 5 to 7 days and for some people it may even be longer.
How can Influenza be prevented?
Influenza can be prevented by either vaccination or by taking steps to stop its transmission.
Flu vaccine prevents illness and death caused by influenza. Made from inactivated and sometimes attenuated [non-infective] virus, it’s specifically recommended for people at a high risk of developing serious complications due to an influenza infection.
This high-risk group includes
People aged 65 years or older
People with chronic diseases of the heart, lungs or kidneys, diabetic, immunosuppressant or severe forms of anemia
Pregnant women
People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
Health-care and emergency-services personnel
People between the ages of 6 months to 24 years who have chronic medical problems
People between 25-64 years of age who are at higher risk of novel H1N1 due to chronic health disorders or weaker immune systems
Children and teenagers who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and therefore may be at risk of developing Reye syndrome after the influenza virus infection
Besides vaccination practicing good personal health and hygiene also helps in preventing influenza
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth
Wash hands frequently with soap and water
Cover your mouth while coughing and sneezing
Avoid close contact with those who are sick; and stay home if you fall sick.
Avoid spitting
Wear face masks while caring for those who are sick
How it is diagnosed?
Your doctor will diagnose this condition after taking your detailed family history, symptoms and by conducting physical examinations. There is no specific test to prove that your headache is actually a migraine. However, your doctor may order a brain MRI or CT scan if you have never had one before.
If you have a migraine with unusual symptoms such as weakness, memory problems, or loss of alertness, an EEGmay be needed to rule out seizures.
A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) might be done.
How is Influenza treated?
People suffering from influenza are advised
To take rest
Drink plenty of liquids
Avoid alcohol and tobacco
To see a doctor in case of high fever, severe body ache or other complications
This site would be best viewed on a Netscape 4.0 Gold or above and Microsoft IE 4.0 or above with screen settings of 800 x 600 and true colors option checked.
