Influenza virus - causes, symptoms and treatment of influenza

Table of contents:

Influenza virus - causes, symptoms and treatment of influenza
Influenza virus - causes, symptoms and treatment of influenza
Anonim

Influenza: symptoms and treatment

flu
flu

Influenza is an acute infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus. Included in the group of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI). Periodically spreads in the form of epidemics and pandemics.

Most people get flu symptoms within a week without medical attention. But influenza can lead to severe illness and death, especially in people at risk. According to WHO estimates, annual influenza epidemics lead to 3-5 million cases of severe illness and 390-650 thousand deaths. Only in Russia every year doctors register about 27 million sick people. The recovery period is 7-15 days.

ICD-10: J10, J11

ICD-9: 487

Types of influenza virus

  1. Type A (has subtypes A1, A2). Almost all known influenza epidemics and pandemics are caused by type A influenza virus. It has a lot of serotypes that can infect humans and animals. A variety of subtypes cause bird and swine flu. The DNA of the virus can change rapidly, so every season there are flu strains that are different from those previously known.
  2. Type B. Influenza B viruses do not spread to the size of epidemics. They are easier tolerated by patients, practically do not cause complications..
  3. Type C. Cases of influenza type C are quite rare, as they have no pronounced clinical picture or are asymptomatic.

How is the flu transmitted?

Causes of Influenza
Causes of Influenza

The disease develops as a result of the ingestion of virus A, C or B - this is the cause of influenza infection. The virus spreads from the source of the disease to the susceptible organism.

The incubation period is from 4-12 hours to 3 days.

The maximum amount of virus the patient releases in the first 6 days after infection. The higher the concentration of the virus in the excreted secret, the stronger the catarrhal phenomena (cough, runny nose, sneezing), the higher the risk of infection.

There are two ways of transmission of the influenza virus:

  • Airborne. The virus is shed along with saliva and sputum when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or simply engages in conversation. In the form of a fine aerosol, the virus spreads in the surrounding air and is inhaled by he althy people.

    The entrance gate can be not only the mouth or nose, but also the eyes of a person. The more people in the room, the higher the risk of infection. This is especially true for close-knit teams, for example, for kindergarten groups, classrooms, offices, etc.

  • Contact-household way of transmission. It should not be ruled out that the virus can be transmitted through household contact. That is, if the sputum containing the virus gets on hygiene products, cutlery, bed linen and these things are used by a he althy person, he will be infected.

Handshake as the cause of infection

In the course of a survey in which 1,000 residents of Britain took part, it was found that 57% of them would not kiss a person who has the flu or other acute respiratory viral infections. At the same time, 86% of people would replace a kiss with a handshake.

At the same time, the myth that the flu is transmitted through a kiss with a sick person was refuted by scientists from Britain. The risk of infection increases several times if you shake hands rather than kisses.

Specialists working at Cardiff University explain this fact by the fact that the virus is transmitted through mucus, and not through saliva. That is, an infected person touches his nose, eyes, lips and mucus sticks to his hands. During a handshake, this mucus falls on the hands of a he althy person, and then in the same way they are brought onto he althy mucous membranes.

The results of this survey have once again become evidence that the population without a medical education has little awareness of the methods of transmission of the influenza virus and SARS. Therefore, experts once again remind that close contact with the source of infection is important in terms of the spread of the virus. In this regard, coughing, sneezing and shaking hands are of particular importance.

How to distinguish the flu from colds and SARS?

Symptoms can be of varying intensity, depending on the type of influenza virus, the functioning of the human immune system, but in general, the clinical picture is determined by common signs.

Cold SARS Flu
Feeling worse Gradual Fast Sudden
Body temperature >37, 5°C >38°C 39-40°С
Intoxication Not expressed Yes, expressed by increased fatigue Eat, severe chills, headache, and eye movement pain, photophobia, body aches
Rhinitis and stuffy nose Appears at the first watch Occurs in the first days May appear as a complication, not before

The main difference at the very beginning is redness of the eyes and watery eyes. This is the symptom of the flu. And sneezing is typical for SARS.

flu symptoms
flu symptoms

Common flu symptoms include:

  • Pain in the muscles, aches. Muscle stiffness, aching pains in them occur as the incubation period ends and gradually increase. The culprit of muscle pain is the viral component hemagglutinin, which leads to disruption of blood circulation through the vessels. As a result, metabolism is disturbed, lack of oxygen increases, natural waste products stagnate inside the muscles, causing a feeling of pain and aches.
  • Fever. A jump in body temperature is one of the first symptoms that the flu virus has entered the body. An increase in body temperature indicates that the body is fighting infection.
  • The chills associated with the flu are a defensive reaction of the body to reduce heat loss.
  • Loss of appetite. Appetite decreases due to the fact that the activity of the food center is inhibited in the brain. This is a feature of the human body inherent in nature, which is explained by the fact that all its forces should be directed to the fight against infection.
  • Cough.
  • The appearance of headaches.
  • Increasing overall weakness.

Complications of influenza

Don't forget that flu symptoms only seem harmless at first, but they have serious complications if left untreated. Be sure to see a doctor!

Influenza can cause serious complications and consequences (up to death):

  • Otitis (inflammation of the ears).
  • Sinusitis (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses).
  • Meningitis (inflammation of the meninges).
  • Tracheitis (inflammation of the trachea).
  • Pneumonia, bronchitis (inflammation of the lungs, bronchi).
  • Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).
  • Glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation).

If the patient has at least 1 of the following symptoms, call the doctor immediately:

  • Convulsions;
  • Hallucinations, impaired consciousness;
  • Temperature above 40 C°;
  • Shortness of breath, labored breathing;
  • Pain in the back of the head, not relieved by drugs;
  • Skin rash.

Flu treatment

Medicines (drugs, vitamins, medicines) are mentioned for informational purposes only. We do not recommend using them without a doctor's prescription. Recommended reading: "Why can't you take medications without a doctor's prescription?"

The following medicines are used to relieve flu symptoms:

Image
Image
  • Antiviral agents. Take antiviral drugs with proven effectiveness. These include: Tamiflu, Nomides, Relenza, Amantadine and Remantadine [1]. The choice of a specific drug and the calculation of the dosage is carried out by a specialist.
  • When the temperature rises above 38.5, you should take an antipyretic, such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen. Aspirin is contraindicated in children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome!

    Nimesulide preparations not only lower the temperature, but also relieve muscle pain and headache.

  • For a sore throat. The throat can be rinsed and treated with ready-made medicinal formulations: Chlorphyllipt, Lugol's solution, Miramistin, Iodinol, etc. (list of throat sprays)
  • Cough preparations. To relieve coughing, you need to reduce the viscosity of sputum so that it is easy to cough up. Expectorants can be used to thin sputum, for example, Lazolvan, ACC, Muk altin, Bronholitin, Bromhexine, Ambroxol, Acetylcysteine, etc.(cough lozenge review)
  • To facilitate nasal breathing, vasoconstrictor drops are used, these include drugs such as: Tizin, Naphthyzin, Nafozalin, Xilen, Galazolin, Sanorin, Otrivin, Rinofluimucil, etc.
  • With mucosal edema. To relieve swelling with influenza, antihistamines are prescribed.

Due to increased sweating and intoxication with the flu, there is a risk of getting dehydrated. You should definitely drink warm drinks all the time.

Dr. Evdokimenko - Treatment of influenza, SARS and colds: simple tips:

Antibiotics for flu

Viral infections, such as the flu, cannot be treated with antibiotics. However, a doctor can prescribe them for you in the presence of a complicated infection and the addition of a bacterial flora (for example, the appearance of a sore throat, which must be treated with antibiotics). Selection is carried out in each case individually, by the attending physician.

The flu vaccine - how does it work?

An effective measure to combat influenza is vaccination, which reduces the number of side effects from infection, speeds up recovery, and reduces mortality from influenza. If a person has met with a virus from which he was vaccinated, then in most cases the disease does not occur, and if infection does occur, then the infection is much easier.

How does the flu shot work?

In order to begin the production of a vaccine, scientists are analyzing the likelihood of the spread of strains of the influenza virus. Those that will predominate in the future period of general morbidity are singled out. Based on these data, appropriate vaccines are produced and distributed to medical institutions.

After the introduction of the vaccine into the bloodstream, an active synthesis of specific antibodies against these types of virus begins. Antibodies form immunity from the influence of certain strains on the body. When interacting with the source of this virus - an infected person - the probability of infection is extremely low.

Carrying out a specific vaccination can reduce the risk of disease from 40% to -60%. A vaccinated person can become infected through contact with another type of influenza. However, the disease will pass more easily, the symptoms will be less pronounced, since the antibodies of the vaccine will still carry out their immune action.

The best time for a flu shot is the end of October, the maximum is the first week of November. By the beginning of the morbidity season, which falls at the end of autumn, the body has time to develop a sufficient amount of antibodies. The process of developing antibodies against influenza takes about two weeks from the date of vaccination.

Side effects

Side effects
Side effects

Despite the great educational work of doctors, every year a large number of people refuse to receive a flu shot, explaining this by fear of getting sick. Everyone needs to remember that the influenza vaccine cannot cause influenza infection. A person cannot get sick precisely because he has been vaccinated. The flu shot contains a dead virus. These forms of strains are not strong enough to cause disease. However, it should be noted that after the flu vaccination, minor side effects may occur. They are characterized by low intensity and short duration. Negative symptoms after vaccination are much easier than the clinical picture during the flu.

Most often, side effects are expressed as:

  • Pain at the injection site.
  • Increase in body temperature to 37.1 - 38 degrees in the first days after vaccination.
  • Slight muscle weakness.

Unpleasant symptoms are extremely rare and last no more than two days. The vast majority of those vaccinated report no side effects.

6 flu foods

The following are 6 foods internationally researched to help relieve flu symptoms. However, they do not replace the main treatment prescribed by a doctor!

Treatment of influenza with folk remedies
Treatment of influenza with folk remedies

Traditional medicine uses natural remedies to relieve symptoms and fight the virus:

  1. Garlic. Studies show that people who took garlic were 70% less likely to get sick than those who received a placebo.
  2. In addition, influenza patients who consumed garlic recovered on average 3-4 days faster than others [2].

    • Honey. Honey is known to have strong antibacterial properties. Medical observations point to the immune-stimulating effects of honey. Given all these qualities, honey is recommended for throat diseases caused by bacteria. To do this, 1/2 teaspoon of honey is dissolved in a glass of warm milk, tea or water. Honey drink soothes an irritated throat, replenishes fluid loss, and has an antibacterial effect.
    • Ginger. Useful for its antimicrobial, antioxidant and antitumor properties.
    • Echinacea. It helps at the beginning of the disease, on the earliest symptoms. It helps to prevent the development of complications, will help to significantly reduce the duration of the disease. [3]
      • Yogurt. Probiotics are useful for adults, children, debilitated patients. They stimulate the protective functions of the body, reduce the period of illness, and reduce the use of antibiotics. Children who were given probiotic yogurt recovered faster and had 55% less clinical flu. [4]
      • Vitamin C. Taking vitamin C in combination with zinc can alleviate unpleasant symptoms and shorten the period of infection. Vitamin C and zinc relieve colds, pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea. [5]

The record holder for vitamin C content is:

  1. Dry rose hips (1200 mg/100 g)
  2. Red Pepper (250mg/100g)
  3. Black Currant (200mg/100g)

Influenza Treatment Tips

Image
Image

To alleviate the patient's condition, doctors advise to adhere to the following recommendations during treatment:

Image
Image
  1. Comply with bed rest.
  2. If the body temperature does not exceed 38 ° C, then it should not be lowered. This is important because the body produces antibodies on its own to fight infection. They allow not only to fight the flu itself more effectively, but also to avoid complications in the future.
  3. For the speedy elimination of symptoms of intoxication, an abundant drinking regimen is shown. The liquid must be warm. It is possible to use tea with raspberries, honey, rosehip, hawthorn, herbal teas, fruit drinks as drinks.

Which doctor should I see for the flu?

Therapist

A breakthrough in the treatment of influenza, in the program "Live He althy!"

Recommended: