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    Influenza (Flu)

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    Leanne Teh
    Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that is highly contagious and spreads through coughs, sneezes, and touching infected surfaces. While flu symptoms like fever, body aches, and fatigue are unpleasant, flu is rarely life-threatening except for high-risk groups like the elderly, young children, and pregnant women. The best way to prevent flu is to get the flu vaccine each year, as antibiotics do not treat the virus.

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    Influenza (Flu)

    Uploaded by

    Leanne Teh
    41 views4 pages
    Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that is highly contagious and spreads through coughs, sneezes, and touching infected surfaces. While flu symptoms like fever, body aches, and fatigue are unpleasant, flu is rarely life-threatening except for high-risk groups like the elderly, young children, and pregnant women. The best way to prevent flu is to get the flu vaccine each year, as antibiotics do not treat the virus.

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    Influenza

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    Influenza

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    Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that is highly contagious and spreads through coughs, sneezes, and touching infected surfaces. While flu symptoms like fever, body aches, and fatigue are unpleasant, flu is rarely life-threatening except for high-risk groups like the elderly, young children, and pregnant women. The best way to prevent flu is to get the flu vaccine each year, as antibiotics do not treat the virus.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    41 views4 pages

    Influenza (Flu)

    Uploaded by

    Leanne Teh
    Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that is highly contagious and spreads through coughs, sneezes, and touching infected surfaces. While flu symptoms like fever, body aches, and fatigue are unpleasant, flu is rarely life-threatening except for high-risk groups like the elderly, young children, and pregnant women. The best way to prevent flu is to get the flu vaccine each year, as antibiotics do not treat the virus.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 4

    Influenza (Flu)

    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. Although unpleasant, flu is rarely life-threatening. 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.

    Key points about flu

     Antibiotics cannot be used to treat flu.

     Approximately 5-20 percent of Americans will develop flu.

     Experts agree that the best way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated each year.

     The flu vaccine is not suitable for certain groups of people, such as those who have a severe allergy to chicken
    eggs.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 1 week. However, the feeling of tiredness and gloom can continue for several
    weeks.It is worth noting that not every person with flu will have all of the symptoms; for instance, it is possible to
    have flu without fever.

    Early symptoms of flu

    Often, fatigue is one of the earliest signs of flu and cold. With flu, the fatigue is often more extreme. Other early
    symptoms can include cough, sore throat, fever, body ache, chills, and gastrointestinal changes.

    Treatments

    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 can 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

     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

     their temperature remains high after 4-5 days

     symptoms worsen

     the individual feels seriously ill

     they become short of breath and/or develop chest pain

    If worried, a phone call to the doctor may be a better solution than making an appointment.

    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.

    Prevention

     Flu vaccination

    Flu vaccination is the best protection against flu.

    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, globally, 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. 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.Seasonal flu shots are not suitable for some people
    Certain individuals should check with their doctor before deciding to have the flu vaccine, including:

     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.

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