Flu is a viral disease that is characterized by a widespread seasonal outbreak. The cause of the virus is the Flu virus, which is transmitted from person to person through the respiratory system.
Flu features
The flu has a number of unique features that include:
Stable seasonality: influenza virus causes influenza in winter in the northern hemisphere, in summer in the southern hemisphere and in rainy seasons in the tropics.
The ability to change: The influenza virus changes, at a high rate, the structure of proteins on its surface, deceiving the immune system that had produced antibodies against the previous formula. Thus, the disease can affect the same person more than once.
Widespread disease: When the influenza outbreaks, it affects a very large number of children and adults (about a third of children and 10% of adults), which leads to frequent absences from work and school, and creates severe pressure on hospitals and clinics.
Initially, the flu may look similar to a cold, with runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat. But the common cold occurs slowly, while the flu suddenly occurs. Although the common cold can be annoying, the inconvenience associated with the flu is much worse.
Common signs and symptoms of influenza include:
Fever greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius)
Muscle pain
Chills and sweating
Headache
Dry and persistent cough
Fatigue and weakness
Nasal congestion
Sore throat
Causes and risk factors for influenza
FLU viruses circulate in the air in very small droplets, from coughing, sneezing or even talking to someone who is sick with the flu. These drops can be inhaled directly from the air, or they can be touched through a purpose, such as a phone, a computer keyboard, the computer itself or others, and then transferred to the eyes, nose or mouth.
The influenza is divided into three groups (classes) of viruses: A, B and C:
FLU A - can be the leading cause of deadly epidemics on a global scale, striking every 10 to 40 years.
FLU B - causes a milder and limited outbreak. Influenza A and B viruses can be, together or separately, the cause of the spread of influenza, which appears every winter. This, while no relationship was found between the influenza type C virus and the emergence of the influenza pandemic.
FLU C - is a relatively stable virus, while type A and B viruses undergo permanent changes, as new varieties always appear.
The body produces antibodies against the type of FLU it has contracted, but these antibodies do not prevent infection from the influenza virus of another type. Therefore, doctors recommend influenza vaccination, annually.
Complications
If you are young and healthy, seasonal flu is usually not dangerous. Although you may feel unhappy while suffering the flu, the flu usually goes away within a week or two without leaving lasting effects. But for children and adults most at risk, complications may appear:
Pneumonia
bronchitis
Asthma flare-ups
Heart problems
Ear infections
Pneumonia is the most serious complication. For older adults and people with chronic diseases, pneumonia can be fatal.
Flu prevention
The best way to treat influenza damage and complications is disease prevention.
However, influenza cannot be prevented by a one-time vaccination. Rather, a vaccine must be obtained annually to accommodate new varieties of influenza viruses.
It is important to vaccinate people at risk before winter (in September-October).
It is also recommended to vaccinate:
Healthy adults over the age of 50
Women expected to enter the second or third trimesters of pregnancy during the flu season
Health workers
There is no objection, but on the contrary, the vaccination of children and people who do not belong to the most vulnerable groups, especially young children aged 6 months to two years, should be encouraged, given the possibility of influencing them, too, from influenza complications.
Post a Comment