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Influenza, also called "the flu," is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. Symptoms may include high fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and fatigue (tiredness). Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur. Although yearly vaccination to prevent influenza is recommended, medications are available that may lessen the length and severity of symptoms should influenza occur.



Influenza


DefinitionA contagious viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs which often occurs in the winter

.Cause And Risk
Influenza is a common viral infection. It is caused by three viruses - Influenza A, B and C.
*Type A is usually responsible for the large outbreaks and is a constantly changing virus. New strains of Type A virus develop regularly and cause new epidemics every few years. *Type B causes smaller outbreaks, and
*Type C usually causes mild illness. In the United States, infection with influenza A and B leads to 20,000 deaths and over 100,000 hospitalizations each year. Influenza is transmitted person to person via contagious droplets that are formed when someone sneezes or cough.

Certain individuals are at higher risk from complications of influenza and therefore vaccination is recommended for these high risk groups. This includes people aged 50 or older, people with diabetes, or with medical conditions affecting the heart, lungs (i.e asthma) or kidneys; health care workers and anyone with a weakened immune system (HIV, etc.). Supplies of vaccine are limited each year, but after high-risk people have been vaccinated, anyone desiring protection can request vaccination.


Symptom

*fever - up to 104 C

*headache

*muscle aches and stiffness nasal discharge

*cough

*shortness of breath

*chills

*fatigue

*malaise

*sweating

*loss of appetite

*stuffy, congested nose

*sore throat


Signs And Tests

The evaluation of an individual with symptoms of influenza should include a thorough physical exam and in cases where pneumonia is suspected, a chest x-ray. Additional blood work may be warranted during the evaluation which may include a complete blood count, blood cultures and sputum cultures.
The most common methods for diagnosing influenza include antigen detection tests which are done on nose and throat (nasopharyngeal) secretions by swabbing these areas with a dacron swab and then sending a sample to the laboratory for testing. The results of these tests can be available rapidly, and can help decide if specific treatment is appropriate, but the diagnosis can often be made by identifying symptoms without further testing.

Treatment

For mild illness in people who are not at high-risk (not immunosuppressed, elderly, no chronic heart, lung or kidney conditions) -
the treatment of influenza is
frequently just supportive and includes
*bed rest,
*analgesics (pain killers) for muscle aches and pains,
*increased intake of fluids.

If influenza is diagnosed within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, in particular among high-risk groups, several antiviral medications are available which may shorten the duration of symptoms by approximately 1 day.
These medications include amantadine or rimantadine (active against influenza A only); oseltamivir and zanamivir (active against influenza A and B). As each of these medicines has different side effects and affects different viruses, your physician will determine which one is best for you.Treatment is usually not nescessary for children, but if the illness is diagnosed early and the patient is at risk of progression to more severe disease, it can be started.
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is the best choice for children. It is available in a liquid formulation and may be easier to give to the child than zanamivir (Relenza) which is not licensed for children less than 12 years old and needs to be given by via inhaler. Treatment will only help if started early and only if the illness is actually influenza, it will not help treat a "regular cold.

"Prognosis

In most individuals who are otherwise healthy, influenza fully resolves within 7 to 10 days. Among individuals in high-risk groups (elderly, immunosuppressed, chronic heart, lung or kidney conditions) influenza may be quite severe and can lead to complications listed below.

Complications

*secondary bacterial infection

*pneumonia

*encephalitis (infection of the brain)

Call Your Health Care Provider If

Call your health-care provider if you develop symptoms of influenza. While many infections have similar symptoms, if you belong to a high-risk group, you should be evaluated for influenza and your physician will assess whether you should be on antiviral medications.

Prevention
Flu shots are recommended annually for people who are 50 years of age or older, anyone with chronic heart, lung or kidney conditions, and those living in institutions. The vaccine has a 60% to 70% success rate in preventing infection among individuals with normal immune systems; efficacy is lower in individuals with weakened immune systems. The influenza vaccine should not be given to people who are allergic to eggs.Approximately 8 million children and adolescents between 6 months and 17 years of age have one or more medical conditions that put them at increased risk of influenza-related complications. These children should be given the first vaccine available. Such children include those with chronic disorders of the heart or lungs (such as asthma and cystic fibrosis), children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), kidney dysfunction, sickle cell anemia, or immunosuppression. Children and teenagers (aged 6 months to 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and therefore might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza infection and
adolescents who will be in the second or third trimester of
pregnancy during the influenza season should also be vaccinated.
For unvaccinated individuals who have been exposed to people with known influenza, especially if the exposed individual has risk factors, potential use of antiviral medication for more than 2 weeks and vaccination


The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.


Normal lung anatomy





Within the respiratory system, air is first inhaled through the nose or mouth into the pharynx. From the pharynx, air is drawn through the larynx and trachea to make its way to the lungs.




Influenza
 


Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract that causes coughing, breathing difficulty, fever, headache, muscle aches and weakness. The virus is spread from person to person by inhaling infected droplets from the air.



Tips for treating colds, the flu, and sore throats


Here are some things you should know about colds, the flu, and most sore throats.
Antibiotics do not kill viruses, they kill bacteria. Viruses cause colds, the flu, and most sore throats. Antibiotics do not work against viruses. Antibiotics do work against infections caused by bacteria, such as the bacteria that cause strep throat. In most cases of a cold or the flu, bed rest, plenty of fluids, and over-the-counter cold or flu medicine may help relieve your symptoms. Your doctor or other healthcare professional may use a throat culture or rapid strep test to find out if you have a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics.

Up to 50% of antibiotic prescriptions filled outside of hospitals are believed to be unnecessary. First tell your doctor about your symptoms. He or she will decide if an antibiotic will help you. If you have a cold or the flu, taking an antibiotic will:
Not cure the infection or help you feel better
Not keep you from spreading your cold or flu to others
Not prevent you from catching someone else's cold or flu
Expose you to possible drug side effects that are unnecessary Taking antibiotics when you do not need them can cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics. Then, antibiotics might not work when you do need them.

Most viruses are spread by droplets in the air that come from infected people when they sneeze or cough. They can also be spread by hand-to-hand contact. Try to avoid close contact with people who have a cold or the flu and remember to wash your hands often. To help prevent the flu, yearly flu shots may be helpful. Ask your doctor about the flu shot if you:
Are over the age of 50, or under the age of 50 but have a certain medical illness
Are a woman who is in or past her 14th week of pregnancy
Work in healthcare


Take an antibiotic exactly and for as long as the doctor tells you.
Do not save some of your antibiotic for the next time you get sick.
Do not take an antibiotic that is prescribed for someone else.

Your good health is important. If you have questions about your illness or the medication you're taking, please talk to your doctor.


Influenza: Who Needs an Annual Flu Shot?


Influenza is a disease caused by viruses. Each winter many people get influenza. Influenza causes a fever, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, and tiredness that may last for several days. The disease can usually be prevented by getting a vaccination, commonly called a flu shot. Healthy children who get influenza recover without serious problems, so flu shots are usually not given to children. Some children, however, have more trouble recovering from influenza.Children who need an annual flu shot include those with long-term (chronic) disease such as:
Asthma or other lung disease
Congenital heart disease with defects that require medications or surgery or other heart disease
Glomerulonephritis, kidney failure, or other kidney disease
Diabetes or other metabolic disease
Sickle cell disease or other anemia
Immune system problems caused by a disease or medication
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or any other disease needing aspirin therapy.If you have an otherwise healthy child and want your child to avoid getting influenza, your child may have a flu shot.Other people who should have a flu shot include:
People over 65 years of age or older
Women who will be in the fourth to ninth month(s) of pregnancy during the influenza season
Residents of nursing homes or chronic care facilities.An influenza shot can be given at the same time as any routine vaccine(s). Your child should get the shot between September and mid-November, if possible. Protection from the influenza virus usually lasts only for 1 year.For more information about the vaccine, ask your doctor for an Influenza Vaccine Information Statement. If your child has an allergy to eggs or a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome, talk to the doctor about these problems before getting the flu shot.




What to Do for Colds and Flu

The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, is part of the U. S. government. FDA makes sure medicines for illnesses like colds and flu work and are safe.

Is It a Cold or the Flu?
For Your Safety, Know the Difference A cold and the flu (also called influenza) are alike in many ways. But the flu can sometimes lead to more serious problems, like the lung disease pneumonia. A stuffy nose, sore throat, and sneezing are usually signs of a cold. Tiredness, fever, headache, and major aches and pains probably mean you have the flu. Coughing can be a sign of either a cold or the flu. But a bad cough usually points to the flu.

Know When to Call Your Doctor
You usually do not have to call your doctor right away if you have signs of a cold or flu. But you should call your doctor in these situations:
Your symptoms get worse.
Your symptoms last a long time.
After feeling a little better, you develop signs of a more serious problem. Some of these signs are a sick-to-your-stomach feeling, vomiting, high fever, shaking chills, chest pain, or coughing with thick, yellow-green mucus.

Try to Avoid Getting a Cold
Wash your hands often. You can pick up cold germs easily, even when shaking someone's hand or touching doorknobs or handrails.
Avoid people with colds when possible.
If you sneeze or cough, do it into a tissue and then throw the tissue away.
Clean surfaces you touch with a germ-killing disinfectant.
Don't touch your nose, eyes or mouth. Germs can enter your body easily by these paths.

Try to Avoid Getting The Flu
A flu shot can greatly lower your chance of getting the flu. The best time to get the shot is from the middle of October to the middle of November, because most people get the flu in the winter. The shot can't cause the flu. But you may feel sore or weak or have a fever for a couple of days.

Who Should Get a Flu Shot?
Almost all people who want to lower their chance of coming down with the flu can get a flu shot. Flu shots are most important for:
people 65 or older
nursing home patients
people over 6 months old with health problems, like asthma, or with long-term diseases, like HIV or heart disease
children or teenagers who must often take aspirin
people who are often around the elderly or those with health problems

Who Might Not Be Able to Get a Flu Shot?
Some people should talk to their doctor first. Talk to your doctor before you get the shot if you:
have certain allergies, especially to eggs
have an illness, like pneumonia
have a high fever
are pregnant

Prescription Medicine Can Prevent Flu, Too
If you are one of those who should not get the flu shot, ask your doctor about prescription medicine to help prevent flu. And if you get the flu, taking this medicine within the first 48 hours can make your illness less serious. But, Do Not Take Antibiotics For a Cold or Flu Antibiotics won't work against cold and flu germs. And, antibiotics should be taken only when really needed.

Help Yourself Feel Better While You Are Sick
A cold usually lasts only a couple of days to a week. Tiredness from the flu may continue for several weeks. To feel better while you are sick:
Drink plenty of fluids.
Get plenty of rest.
Use a humidifier -- an electric device that puts water into the air.
A cough and cold medicine you buy without a prescription may help. Choose Medicine With This:

Choose the Right Medicines For Your Symptoms Make sure the label states that it treats your symptoms.   If You Want to Do This: Choose Medicine With This:
Unclog a stuffy nose --Nasal decongestant
Quiet a cough --Cough suppressant
Loosen mucus so you can cough it up-- Expectorant
Stop runny nose and sneezing-- Antihistamine
Ease fever, headaches, minor aches and pains-- Pain Reliever (Analgesic)
Protect Your Children From "Salicylates" In Cold Medicines Do not give aspirin or other "salicylates" to children or teenagers with symptoms of a cold or flu. If you aren't sure whether a product has salicylates, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Young people can get sick or die from a rare condition called Reye syndrome if they take these medicines while they have these symptoms.

TALK TO YOU DOCTOR AND GET THOSE FLU SHOTS TODAY..
 

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Additional: The information, that I provide to you is strictly for your information. I am in no way (nor do I claim to be) a Therapist or Doctor. I in no way an authority on any of these subjects just simply providing the information to you as a tool in learning about different illness and conditions. In using any of these, you are at your own risk and agree not to hold me responsible, in any way, for the outcome.Hangtide and its editors are not the author of many of any articles included, and do not claim to own any copyright privileges to them. They are assumed to be in the public domain, and a best effort is taken not to use copyrighted material. If I am infringing on anyone's copyright, please contact: Hangtide@aol.com and I will give credit to the deserving party. Information provided in this document is provided "as is" without Warranty or liability of any kind.


The material on this site is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for a health care provider's consultation. Please consult your own physician or appropriate health care provider about your own symptoms or medical conditions. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or advice of your physician or other health care provider.
 

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