Understanding Influenza: A Systematic Review
Influenza, commonly known as flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Theoretically, anyone can be infected with influenza, but this depends on many factors; though the disease tends to be severe in some populations like young children, the elderly, and those who have chronic health conditions. This article explores the nature of influenza, symptoms, transmission, prevention, treatment, and value of vaccination.
What is Influenza?
Influenza is one of the most communicable respiratory diseases caused by an influenza virus. There are four types of the influenza viruses such as A, B, C and D.
Influenza A
The most common variant causing seasonal influenza epidemics during winter seasons affects both humans as well as other animals and, therefore, creating enormous public health problems.
Influenza B:
It mainly happens in humans and more restricted in strain as against that of type A and tends to cause much of a middling epidemic
Influenza C:
It is the one that is chiefly responsible for relatively mild infection of the lower respiratory tract; there is no association with epidemics.
Influenza D:
This survives mainly on the cattle due to the report that this doesn’t affect human bodies.
Mode of Transmission
The influenza disease basically spreads via air droplets entering the surrounding area when the patient coughs, sneezes or even in casual conversation with anyone. Influenza virus survives only for a few moments on the foci before infection and through persons touching it in their body to face to develop the disease.
Flu is highly contagious, and it can also spread from an infected person even before the symptoms start appearing on the day when the infected person feels them and up to seven days after a person has actually become ill.
Symptoms of Flu
The symptoms of flu can be mild or severe and may come on suddenly. Some of the common symptoms include:
Feeling feverish, chills
Cough, sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (tiredness)
Some experience vomiting and diarrhea, but the condition is experienced more in children than adults.
Complications of Flu
In the high-risk populations, influenza causes several complications, though the people recover from the flu without being treated by physicians. Inclusion:
Pneumonia
Bronchitis
Sinus infection
Aggravation of the chronic health condition, such as asthma and heart disease
Flu Diagnosis
The diagnosis of influenza is basically based on the clinical presentation of the patient and his history, but laboratory studies may confirm this, especially when there is an outbreak of the flu, or the doctor intends a particular treatment in the form of antiviral therapy. Among some of the common tests that are usually done,
include:
Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests (RIDTs): They may be done within 15 minutes.
PCR tests: They are highly sensitive and take hours to give a result but are used mainly in a specialized environment.
Treatment
Influenza treatment is, in essence, palliative. It entails relieving of symptoms and prevention of complications. Most patients will be able to self-manage their symptoms. Here are some common treatment options:
1. Antiviral Medications
Antiviral drugs can be prescribed to minimize symptoms and duration of an illness if the antiviral drugs are initiated within 48 hours of onset.
Some of the drugs that are categorized as antiviral drugs can be enumerated such as the following :
Oseltamivir
Zanamivir (Relenza)
Peramivir (Rapivab)
2. Symptoms Management
All over-the-counter antipyretic and analgesic drugs alleviate some symptoms
A pain medicines (acetaminophen, ibuprofen), which improve body aches aside from reduction of fever.
Reducing nasal congestion caused by decongestants.
Cough Medicines to soothe Cough
3. Home Remedies
Rest, hydration, and nutrient-rich foods can all help support the immune system as it battles to regain itself. Warm fluids are soups or other liquids that may comfort a sore throat and hydrate.
Preventing the Flu
Indeed, prevention is the best cure for the flu to be prevented and helps not to propagate the flu virus in the body. Several measures for preventive control have been salient, ample enough:
1. Vaccination
The very best preventive tool against the flu is annual vaccination against influenza. Every year the influenza vaccines change according to circulating strains. It is given to all over the age of six months, particularly the riskier sections.
2. Hygiene
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
Sneeze or cough into a tissue or your elbow.
3. If you are sick, stay home.
If you believe flu symptoms are developing, then please avoid work or school in case you do not expose your coworkers and classmates to possible infection by you.
Know Your Flu Season
Influenza has been said to peak in December through February, but this is the average month of time for its surge, though it starts as early as October and some even up to May. The dates for flu seasons are so unpredictable.
It monitors surveillance activities concerning flu; vaccination drives; public enlightenment to prevent contracting the disease and then it follows through the surveillance system dispersal in public awareness of influenza virus transmission and subsequently lead to a vaccine being produced for the following flu season.
Effects of Influenza Pan Globally
Influenza is a global health problem. The World Health Organization has estimated that every year, there are about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness resulting from seasonal influenza epidemics and causing 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths worldwide.
Pandemic Influenza
Other examples include, leads to pandemics because of introduction of new influenza virus to which there is little or no immunity. The millions of deaths attributed to pandemics, such as Spanish Flu, occurring in 1918 around the world show just how bad future pandemics might be. Such a scenario, therefore, necessitates continued surveillance and research while putting in place various preparedness strategies.
Influenza is still such a giant challenge in public health due to its high infectivity and probably complications at the worst. Control requires knowledge of the causative virus; it requires understanding of what these symptoms look like; and proper prevention. Most people will get protected immunity from it simply by annual vaccine immunization, good practices, information exchange, and responsible personal hygiene while preventing entry can be useful efforts in reducing influenza effects within communities.
Summary points
It is an infectious respiratory condition caused by the influenza viruses. It can be from very mild, sometimes life-threatening complications. In fact, annual vaccination is the best preventive measure for this disease. Good hygiene measures and staying indoors when ill prevent the spread. Public health campaigns are cardinal to monitoring and managing outbreaks.
With vigilance and awareness, the burden of influenza on public health could be lessened, saving communities from the seasonal danger.
