Influenza is an acute infectious disease caused by influenza A and B viruses transmitted by airborne droplets. Hearing the flu does not give permanent immunity - we suffer from flu many times, because it is caused by different strains of the virus every year. Flu symptoms, which may seem like a cold, can literally cut off your legs, and complications from the flu can be serious. You may suspect it if you have a high fever, sore throat, muscles and joints, and you don't have the strength to get out of bed.

Flu - general characteristics

Flu is an acute viral disease that must not be taken lightly under any circumstances.Since the influenza virus is transmitted by airborne droplets, we most often contract the flu during direct contact with an infected person, inhaling microdroplets of secretions from the patient's pathways.

An adult infected with the flu virus can infect others within 3-5 days of the onset of flu symptoms, while a child with flu is a source of infection for up to seven days (usually up to 3 days after the fever has resolved).

The symptoms of the fluare very severe, and in addition, it develops rapidly - the patient's condition deteriorates rapidly within several hours. People who still felt relatively well in the morning have a high fever in the evening and severe muscle pain.

It is the severity of the flu symptoms and their suddenness that distinguishes this disease from the common cold and other viral infections. According to the World He alth Organization, up to 30% of people suffer from flu every year. children and 10 percent. adults - in many cases the disease is so severe that hospitalization is necessary.

When it comes to Polish statistics, only in the epidemic season of 2022/2020 in Poland - according to the data of the National Institute of Public He alth - National Institute of Hygiene - almost 4 million cases of flu or suspicions of this infection were recorded. Every year in Poland, from several dozen to over a hundred people die because of it.

Flu - symptoms

Flu symptomscome on suddenly and are very intense - their intensity is characteristic of this disease.

Flu symptoms are:

  • high temperature, which rises quickly and even reaches over 39 degrees C (but 12% of those infected suffer from flu without a fever)
  • very severe headache (most often in the frontal area andZagałkowa)
  • chills
  • severe muscle and joint pain
  • extreme exhaustion - fatigue and a feeling of breakdown may persist throughout the disease and later, even up to 2-3 weeks after symptoms have subsided

The main symptoms of influenza are often accompanied by additional, no less bothersome symptoms:

  • dry, tiring cough - you may have a feeling that a feather is stuck deep in your throat, which irritates you and makes you cough
  • a sore throat in the flu is less common and if it occurs later in the disease
  • runny nose, if it does appear, usually not right away and is stingy
  • lack of appetite
  • dizziness
  • conjunctivitis
  • stomach pains
  • sometimes diarrhea in children and adolescents
  • vomiting (in children and adolescents).

People with flu for the first 4-5 days have most of the symptoms listed above. Over time, headache, high fever, and cough (which goes from dry to wet cough) may also be accompanied by sore sockets and photophobia.

Flu symptomsshould begin to subside after 5-7 days: the fever drops and the headache disappears. The other symptoms also slowly become less troublesome. But do not get out of bed immediately and try to return to your daily activities or work: the flu, if treated too shortly or poorly treated, can have serious complications, so you need to stay home for up to 2 weeks.

Causes of the flu

Influenza is caused by flu viruses belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family that multiply in the epithelium of the respiratory tract. These viruses are divided into three types: A, B and C1, type A virus is further divided into subtypes classified according to the type of proteins found into molecules: haemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). You can catch the flu through direct contact with someone who is sick or with anything they touch.

Flu viruses are transmitted:

  • by droplets (over a distance of about 1 m)
  • by contact through contaminated surfaces and hands
  • by inhalation, for longer distances on aerosols.
  • There are no reports of food or water transmission.

It's good to know that epidemiologists divide flu into two types: seasonal and pandemic.Seasonal fluoccurs every year during the epidemic period (usually from September to April) and is most often caused by viruses of the H1N1 or H3N2 subtype.

Pandemic flu , in turn, can be caused by other types of the virus, and due to the lack of immunity, the infection is spreading very widelyquickly, which is why there are many more sick people than in the case of seasonal flu - then we are talking about a global epidemic, or pandemic (e.g. the Spanish pandemic), which occurs every few decades. The state of an influenza pandemic is then announced by the WHO based on data on the virus range and the number of infections around the world.

Flu test - the most effective flu diagnosis

If your doctor suspects you have influenza based on your symptoms, he or she should refer you to flu tests that will confirm or rule out flu.Flu testsare based on identification in the flu taken the patient's viral antigen material or viral genetic material and the assessment of virus-specific antibodies in the patient's blood or the increase in the concentration of existing antibodies specific for viral antigens.

The most common flu tests are:

  • rapid diagnostic tests done from a swab from the nasopharynx. Influenza virus (type A or type A and B) can be detected within 15-30 minutes. They are expensive and their sensitivity is moderate - about 30% of the results are false negative or false positives, making them more sensitive. These tests distinguish between A and B viruses and indicate the AH1N1 subtype.
  • virological testing - the most accurate diagnostic technique for influenza. This group includes immunofluorescence and enzyme immunoassays - giving the result within 24 hours; RT-PCR tests or in situ hybridization - allow detecting virus RNA in the patient's material, but the result can be obtained up to several days. They are sensitive but costly and are therefore used in difficult cases. In inpatient treatment and for the purposes of epidemiological supervision, cultivation of the virus on chicken embryos or tissue cultures is also used - the waiting time for the result is even several days.
  • serological tests - confirm contact of the subject with virus antigens post factum. The presence of virus-specific antibodies indicates that you have had influenza in an undetermined past. The current infection is evidenced by an at least 4-fold increase in the titer of specific antibodies observed in 2 consecutive samples taken in the acute phase of the disease, 7 days apart, or in the acute phase of the disease and in the recovery phase, approximately 10-14 days apart. These studies are mainly used in a retrospective analysis.

Flu treatment

Due to the risk of serious complications of influenza, you should not treat yourself, let alone try to "go through" it. Depending on the age, general he alth of the patient and possible chronic diseases, the doctor should choose the best onetreatment.

If he determines that there are no serious risks, he will only recommend relieving flu symptoms and getting rest. In the event of a suspicion of influenza, the doctor should be called home so as not to go to the clinic and not to expose others to the disease.

Symptomatic flu treatments include:

  • Taking medications to reduce fever and other symptoms of infection, such as headaches and muscle aches, will help with NSAIDs (paracetamol, ibuprofen).
  • The use of syrups to moisturize the respiratory tract and soothe a tiring dry cough.
  • Taking preparations for a sore throat. Preparations with a disinfecting effect and moisturizing the mucosa at the same time will help with a sore throat. And with a sharp sore throat, preparations that also have a slightly anesthetic effect will help.
  • Drinking plenty of fluids. During a fever, the body loses a lot of water, so you need to replenish it. Moreover, when you drink, you moisturize the mucous membranes. It is best to drink herbal and fruit teas (elderberry, raspberry, rosehip, linden flower, hibiscus), which contain vitamin C and have a warming, diaphoretic effect and thus reduce fever. Avoid strong black tea - it will dry the throat mucosa.
  • Air humidification. The dry mucosa of the nose and throat is more susceptible to bacterial infections.
  • Gargling - water with s alt (a teaspoon of s alt in half a glass of lukewarm water), chamomile or sage infusion disinfect and moisturize the mucosa, thanks to which they will soothe a sore throat and a tiring dry cough.
  • Easily digestible and rather fluid diet.
  • Rest - lie in bed and avoid any exertion. This will allow the body to gather all strength to fight the disease.

In people from high-risk groups, the World He alth Organization recommends (since 1990) treatment of influenza with new generation drugs, i.e. antiviral-anti-influenza drugs. These are the neuraminidase inhibitors - oseltamivir, zanamivir and amantadine active against A viruses - whose task is to block the multiplication of the virus. For these drugs to be effective, you should take them within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms. The administration of drugs from this group must be preceded by a test to ensure that the patient really has the flu.

Meet home remedies for a sore throat!

When should I go to hospital with the flu?

A person with flu should be hospitalized as soon as possible when they develop the following symptoms:

  • spitting blood or a pinkish-red tinge to saliva
  • very high temperature, over 40 degrees C
  • feeling of severe pain or tightness in the chest
  • breathing problems andtaking a breath
  • very low blood pressure
  • sudden weakness, fainting when getting out of bed, mobility problems
  • convulsions
  • lethargy, delirium, hallucinations
  • dehydration symptoms - oliguria, dizziness, dry mouth
  • bruising around the mouth
  • petechiae or a bluish skin rash
  • episodes of loss of consciousness, disturbance of consciousness, problems with waking the patient.

How do I prevent the flu?

Influenza can be prevented - and it is worthwhile not only because of the severity of the disease, but also because of its possible complications.

The best methods of preventing flu are:

  • annual flu vaccination, especially for people at high risk
  • wash your hands regularly with soap and water, if this is not possible with an alcohol-based disinfectant
  • avoiding contact with sick people
  • stay home when flu symptoms occur, and avoid crowds and gatherings when necessary
  • cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, preferably with disposable wipes, and when it is impossible to sneeze into the crook of the elbow (never in the hands).

Here are 7 ways to relieve flu symptoms:

See the gallery of 7 photosProbe

Category:

Infectious diseases