Influenza (Flu )Symptoms And Treatment
Influenza or Common Flu is an infectious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses.
It can cause mild to severe disease, and in some cases, even death.
Influenza can lead to pneumonia with to the virus or a subsequent bacterial infection. Other consequences include acute respiratory distress syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis, and deterioration of pre-existing health conditions including asthma and cardiovascular disease.
Symptoms Of Flu/Influenza
Fever/chills
Cough
Sore Throat
Runny Nose
Muscular or Body Pains
Headache.
Tiredness or Fatigue
Vomiting and diarrhea are more prevalent among children than adults.
It is crucial to note that not everyone who has the flu develops a fever.
Differences In Covid-19 And Flu Symptoms
If a person has COVID-19, it may take longer to develop symptoms than if they had the flu.
Flu Symptoms often appear one to four days following infection.
How Can You Prevent Flu/Influenza?
Wearing a mask
Frequent hand cleaning
Covering one's mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing all help to decrease transmission.
Vaccination
Annual vaccination is the primary and most effective strategy to prevent influenza and its consequences, particularly among high-risk groups. Vaccines for influenza are trivalent or quadrivalent, offering protection against an H1N1 strain, an H3N2 strain, and one or two influenza B virus strains
Annual vaccinations can help protect against influenza. Influenza viruses, particularly influenza A virus, develop swiftly, thus flu vaccinations are routinely updated to reflect the current influenza strains in circulation. Vaccines give protection from influenza.
Diagnosis Of Flu/Influenza
Influenza is similar to other viral respiratory tract infections; a laboratory diagnosis is required for confirmation.
Nasal and throat swabs are common techniques of collecting samples for testing.[1] If the illness has cleared the upper but not the lower respiratory tract, samples from the lower respiratory tract can be collected.
Influenza testing is suggested for anybody hospitalized with influenza-like symptoms during flu season or who has been linked to an influenza case. For severe situations, earlier diagnosis improves the patient outcomes.
Treatment Of Flu/Influenza
In mild or moderate sickness, supportive care comprises anti-Pyretic drugs such acetaminophen and ibuprofen
Enough fluid intake to minimize dehydration and relaxation.
Cough drops and throat sprays may help with sore throats.
It is advised to avoid alcohol and smoke usage when unwell.
Aspirin is not advised in children Due to the increased risk of developing Reye syndrome.
Corticosteroids are not suggested unless for treating septic shock or an underlying medical condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma exacerbation, because they have been related with increased mortality.
Antiviral drugs are primarily used to treat severely ill patients, especially those with compromised immune systems.
Oseltamivir and zanamivir are effective for prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis and complications
Prognosis
In healthy people, influenza infections are often self-limiting and rarely lethal.Symptoms typically persist 2–8 days. Influenza can cause people to miss work or school, and it is linked to lower job performance and, in older persons, diminished independence. Fatigue and malaise may persist for many weeks after recovery, and healthy people may have lung abnormalities that take several weeks to overcome.
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