Extra! Understanding Influenza

Description

Influenza, or the flu, is an infection of the throat, airways and lungs, and it can be caused by any of a large variety of viruses. These viruses cause more severe symptoms and complications than other respiratory viruses, such as cold viruses. The U.S. flu season usually occurs between October and April. During each year's flu season, millions of people – 5% to 20% of the country's residents - contract the disease. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that every year in the United States, on average, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu.

Risk

The flu is easily spread through personal contact. People with impaired immune systems, chronic medical problems, or those who are elderly are more susceptible to contracting the flu. Infection occurs when you are exposed to the upper respiratory fluids (droplets from coughing or sneezing, for example) of an infected person.

Symptoms: Typical flu symptoms tend to start very suddenly and can include chills, fever, muscle aches, cough, headache, fatigue, sweating, watery eyes and a sore throat. Symptoms usually last between three and five days and improve gradually after the first 48 hours. Occasionally, the flu can progress to pneumonia, either caused by the virus itself or by a secondary bacterial infection.

Treatment

Antibiotics don't work against the flu, but anti-viral medications can lessen the degree and duration of the symptoms of Influenza A (but not Influenza B). (Influenza A viruses are found in many different animals, including ducks, chickens, pigs, whales, horses, and seals. Influenza B viruses circulate widely only among humans.) Treatment includes getting rest, drinking liquids and taking acetaminophen for pain and fever. Avoid aspirin when you have the flu, since a link has been shown between the use of aspirin during the flu and the development of Reye's Syndrome, which involves failure of the liver and brain swelling. Reye's Syndrome usually occurs in children and adolescents, and in rare cases, adults.

Prevention: Flu shots have been shown to be 80% effective in preventing influenza, and very few people experience side effects. People who are allergic to eggs should not get a flu shot. People who can't receive the flu vaccine can take anti-viral medications to prevent the flu, but these drugs are effective only during outbreaks of Influenza A. According to the CDC, the following groups are recommended to get annual flu shots because of increased risk:

• People ages 65 years and older;
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house those with long-term illnesses;
• Adults and children ages 6 months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma;
• Adults and children ages 6 months and older who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with HIV/AIDS);
• Young people ages 6 mo to 18 yrs who are on long-term aspirin therapy; All children ages 6 mo to 23 mo;
• Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
• People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions (that is, a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as a brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other nerve or muscle disorders).

2) People who are 50 to 64 years old. Nearly one-third of Americans in this age group have one or more medical conditions that place them at increased risk for serious flu complications.

3) People who can transmit flu to others at high risk for complications. Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group (see above) should get vaccinated. This includes all health-care workers, caregivers of children ages 6 months to 23 months, and close contacts of people ages 65 years and older.

In addition, experts recommend that people do the following to lower their risk of contracting the flu:

• Avoid sharing food or utensils with others;
• Wash hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose;
• Wash hands before handling food, dishes, glasses, napkins or silverware;
• Avoid letting your mouth or nose touch drinking fountains or public telephones;
• Eat a balanced diet, including whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Sources: CNN.com, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and WebMD http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/10/05/extra.flu/index.html