Influenza, commonly known as ‘flu’ is a disease caused by viruses that the respiratory tract. Compared to common cold, influenza is a more severe illness. It is caused by a virus which attacks our body cells, resulting in various effects depending upon the strain of the virus.
There are many strains of the influenza virus. The virus mutates the all the time and new variations (strains) arise. This constant changing of its strains enables the virus to evade the immune system of its host. Unfortunately, immunity against one strain which is conferred by exposure or immunisation does not protect against other strains. A person infected with influenza develops antibodies against that virus; as the virus changes, the antibodies against the virus do not recognise the changed virus and thus influenza can recur, caused by the changed or mutated virus.
SYMPTOMS:
Typical symptoms of influenza are as follows:
1. Fever, usually 1000 F to 1030 F in adults and often even higher in children.
2. Respiratory tract infection symptoms such as cough, sore throat, running nose, headache, pain in the muscles and extreme fatigue.
Although nausea and vomiting and diarrhoea can sometimes accompany influenza infection, especially in children, gastrointestinal symptoms are very rarely prominent. Most people who get flu, recover in one to two weeks but some people develop serious and potentially life-threatening complications such as pneumonia.
TREATMENT AND CONTROL:
1. Much of illness and death caused by influenza can be prevented by annual influenza vaccination. Influenza vaccine is specifically recommended for those who are at high risk for complication with chronic disease of the heart, lungs or kidneys, diabetes or severe form of anaemia.
2. Mask should be used by infected and uninfected people once flu is reported in an area.
3. The person suffering from influenza should drink plenty of fluids.
4. Infected person should take symptom relief with paracetamol, aspirin (not in children under the age of 16) or ibuprofen etc. as recommended by doctor.
5. Infected person should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
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