FLU: SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION

FLU: SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION

Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu is highly contagious and is normally spread by the coughs and sneezes of an infected person. You can also catch flu by touching an infected person, for instance, shaking hands. Adults are contagious 1-2 days before getting symptoms and up to 7 days after becoming ill. This means that you can spread the influenza virus before you even know you are infected.

Over 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications each year, and about 36,000 people are estimated to die as a result of flu. It is estimated that 250,000-500,000 people die each year as a result of flu. In industrialized countries, the majority of deaths occur among people over the age of 65. A flu epidemic - where a large number of people in one country are infected - can last several weeks.

Flu symptoms

Confusing flu with a bad cold is common. Flu and cold symptoms may both include a runny/blocked nose, sore throat, and cough. To help you tell them apart, below are some symptoms of flu that are different from a heavy cold: high temperature, cold sweats and shivers, headache, aching joints and limbs, fatigue, feeling exhausted.

There may also be gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; these are much more common among children than adults. Normally, symptoms linger for about a week. However, the feeling of tiredness and gloom can continue for several weeks.

Flu risks and complications

In the majority of cases, flu is not serious - it is just unpleasant. For some people, however, there can be severe complications. This is more likely in very young children, in the elderly, and for individuals with other longstanding illness that can undermine their immune system.

The risk of experiencing severe flu complications is higher for certain people: adults over 65; babies or young children; pregnant women; individuals with heart or cardiovascular disease; those with chest problems, such as asthma or bronchitis; individuals with kidney disease; people with diabetes; people taking steroids; individuals undergoing treatment for cancer; those with longstanding diseases that reduce immune system function.

Some of the complications caused by influenza may include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may develop sinus problems and ear infections.

Seasonal patterns of influenza and upper airway infection were found to be linked to a higher incidence of narcolepsy, by researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine. Narcolepsy is a neurological disease characterized by excessive sleepiness and sleep attacks at inappropriate moments, such as during work.

Treatments for flu

As flu is caused by a virus, antibiotics cannot help, unless the flu has led to another illness caused by bacteria. Antivirals, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), may be prescribed in some circumstances.

Painkillers may alleviate some of the symptoms, such as headache and body pains. Some painkillers, such as aspirin, should not be given to children under 12. Individuals with flu should stay at home, avoid contact with other people where possible, keep warm and rest, consume plenty of liquids, avoid alcohol, stop smoking and eat if possible. It is a good idea for people that live alone to tell a relative, friend, or neighbor that they have flu and make sure someone can check in on them.

Should people with flu tell their doctor?

A doctor should only be informed if the individual is frail or elderly, if their temperature remains high after 4-5 days, if symptoms worsen, or if the individual feels seriously ill, becomes short of breath, and/or develops chest pain. If worried, a phone call to the doctor may be a better solution than making an appointment.

Flu prevention

Health experts and government agencies throughout the world say that the single best way to protect oneself from catching flu is to get vaccinated every year. There are two types of vaccinations, the flu shot and the nasal-spray flu vaccine. The flu shot is administered with a needle, usually in the arm - it is approved for anyone older than 6 months, including healthy people and those with chronic medical conditions. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause illness.

Seasonal flu shot

A flu vaccine will contain three influenza viruses:

• influenza (H3N2) virus

• influenza (H1N2) virus

• one B virus

As viruses adapt and change, so do those contained within the vaccines - what is included in them is based on international surveillance and scientists' calculations about which virus types and strains will circulate in a given year.

Protection begins about 2 weeks after receiving the vaccination.

Seasonal flu vaccinations should start in September or as soon as the vaccine is on hand and continue throughout the flu season, into January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons are never the same. Flu outbreaks usually peak at around January, but they can happen as early as October.

An infant whose mother was given a flu vaccination while pregnant is 50 percent less likely to be hospitalized for flu than other infants whose mothers were not given the vaccine while pregnant, according to researchers from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Seasonal flu shots are not suitable for some people

Certain individuals should check with their doctor before deciding to have the flu vaccine. These include:

• individuals with a severe allergy to chicken eggs

• individuals who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccination in the past

• individuals who developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome within 6 weeks of receiving a flu vaccine

• children under 6 months old

• individuals experiencing a fever with a moderate-to-severe illness should wait until they recover before being vaccinated

Flu virus types

Three types of flu viruses exist - influenza A, influenza B, and influenza C. Types A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics which hit the United States and Europe virtually every winter. The type C influenza virus causes mild respiratory illness and is not responsible for outbreaks.

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/15107.php