Influenza

Khadijeh Issa
03/03/2024
Introduction
The flu is a respiratory ailment caused by influenza viruses. Viruses
travel via the air and enter your body via your nose or mouth. It can also be
obtained through contaminated surfaces. Each year, between 5 and 20% of
persons in the United States contract the flu. It can cause mild to severe
disease and, in rare circumstances, even death. The symptoms of the flu are
similar to those of the common cold, but they linger longer and are more
severe.

Types of Influenza
➔ There are three different influenza virus families: A, B, and C.

● Influenza A viruses may infect people, birds, pigs, horses, and other animals.
There are several strains (or subtypes) of influenza type A viruses, including two
that circulate in humans: H1N1 and H3N2. Every year, the seasonal flu vaccine
comprises these two subtypes.
● Influenza Type B viruses are frequently found solely in humans. Influenza B
viruses may make people sick, although they are often associated with less
severe infections than influenza A viruses.
● Influenza Type C viruses produce modest illnesses in humans. Influenza C
diseases are significantly less prevalent than A and B and are not covered by the
annual flu vaccination.

The most serious flu viruses are influenza A and B. Viruses are continually
changing, and new strains travel throughout the world each year. These alterations
outpace the body's natural defenses. Type C causes either a very mild disease or no
symptoms at all. It does not generate epidemics and does not have the same severe
public health consequences as influenza types A and B.

➔ Aside from seasonal flu, there is another form of flu virus.

● Avian influenza (H5N1) is a subtype of influenza A viruses. While extremely

infectious in birds, it seldom infects people. The virus is mostly spread to
humans through direct contact with infected living, sick, or dead poultry.
However, it is suspected that a few incidences of human-to-human transmission
have happened.

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How Influenza Affects the Body
The flu affects your entire body, including your nose, throat, and lungs, and can
cause significant consequences in those with chronic illnesses. Many people who have
the flu describe it as feeling like they've been struck by a truck. Flu symptoms, such as
high temperature, coughing, and muscular pains, typically appear abruptly and are more
severe than colds. The flu not only interferes with your normal activities, but it also
causes lost work and school days. Pneumonia, ear or sinus infections, dehydration, and
aggravation of existing medical disorders including congestive heart failure, asthma, or
diabetes are all potential complications. The flu may be lethal for the elderly, persons
with chronic conditions, and anybody with a weakened immune system.

How Severe Is Influenza

This decline in quality of life, the effect of symptoms, the virus's changing nature,
and the risk of life-threatening consequences all combine to make the flu a serious
public health issue. Each year, the flu and its consequences kill between 3,000 and
49,000 Americans. Although most individuals recover within a week of getting the flu,
certain people are more prone to problems. Asthma, other lung illnesses, or other
chronic problems increase your chance of experiencing flu complications.

Flu Symptoms and Risk Factors

Symptoms of Influenza
Flu symptoms frequently arise abruptly. People who are more likely to develop
problems, such as those with chronic lung illness, should seek medical assistance very
once. Antiviral medication, if used within a day or two of being ill, may help to alleviate
symptoms.

Symptoms of influenza may include:

● Sudden onset of high fever

● Headache, muscle aches and joint pain
● Cough (usually dry)
● Sore throat
● Nasal congestion and runny nose
● Stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
● Muscle body aches and chills
● Fatigue

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Risk Factors
Some people are more likely to have severe flu symptoms and problems if they
become ill. Risk factors include:

● Adults 65 years or older

● Children under the age of five, particularly those under the age of two, and
pregnant women.
● Having a medical condition like this:
● Chronic lung illnesses such as asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, or cystic fibrosis.
● Heart illness and stroke.
● Chronic Kidney Disease
● Diabetes and other chronic metabolic diseases.
● Obese individuals with a BMI of 40 or above may have severe anemia, such as
sickle cell anemia.
● Individuals with reduced immune systems from infections (HIV, AIDS) or drugs
(chronic corticosteroids, chemotherapy) may experience liver problems.
● Children and adolescents on long-term aspirin treatment.

Diagnosing and Treating Flu

How Is Influenza Diagnosed

It is difficult to determine whether you have the flu based just on symptoms. To
determine if you have the flu or a flu-related illness, you may require a doctor's
examination. If you experience flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your
sickness for any reason, including a high risk of complications, you should consult with
your doctor. There are tests that can detect the flu if you are checked during the first two
or three days of sickness, and many clinicians utilize antiviral drugs when they are
certain of the diagnosis.

How Is Influenza Treated

Staying at home, getting plenty of rest, and staying hydrated are all part of
treating the flu. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine to cure the virus, and
over-the-counter medications can be used to alleviate flu symptoms (for example,
decongestants and antihistamines for congestion, cough, and nasal discharge).
Antibiotics are ineffective in treating the flu, although they may be recommended to
treat an associated sinus or ear infection.

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Preventing Flu
Flu viruses persist throughout the year, although flu activity typically begins in the
autumn and lasts until the spring. During most flu seasons, peak flu activity occurs
between December and February. Although most individuals recover from influenza
without any further medical complications, it can cause serious illness and death,
especially in older adults, very young children, pregnant women, and those with certain
chronic medical problems.

Flu Vaccination
The easiest approach to avoid influenza is to obtain a flu vaccine once a year.
The influenza virus is always evolving. Every year, experts collaborate to select the virus
types they anticipate will cause the greatest sickness, and a new vaccine is developed
based on their suggestions.

It is advised that everyone over the age of six months get an annual flu
vaccination.To be fully protected against the flu, children aged 6 months to 8 years may
require two doses of the vaccine. Children under the age of six months are more likely to
have significant flu complications, yet they are too young to receive a flu vaccine.
Because of this, protecting kids from the flu is critical.

The optimal time to obtain the flu vaccination is before the virus spreads in the
community in September or October. However, further vaccinations may still be useful.

Flu shots
Flu shots work by encouraging our immune systems to produce antibodies that
protect us from infection by the virus strains contained in the vaccine. One to two
months after vaccination, your immune system creates the highest antibodies, which
then gradually decrease. After receiving the flu vaccination, the body typically develops
influenza immunity within two weeks. Important points to remember regarding flu shots:
The flu vaccine is safe and effective in preventing severe flu illness and hospitalization.

Most insurance plans cover the flu vaccination, including Medicare, Medicaid, and
commercial health insurance.The majority of people experience little or no reaction to
the flu vaccination. The most common side effect is a swollen, red, and sensitive area
where the vaccination was administered.

Site:
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/influenza/preventing-in
fluenza