Influenza

Influenza, or “flu” for short, is a contagious viral disease that affects the respiratory system. The influenza virus is contracted through airborne exposure. It has also been called the grippe, the “sweating sickness” and in the great pandemic of 1918, Spanish fever.

Laypeople sometimes confuse influenza with other respiratory infections that are have flu-like symptoms but different causes. Influenza can be contracted by anyone at any age. Influenza viruses are RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridatge. The viruses affect birds and mammals including humans. The disease is usually spread by sneezes and coughs which create an aerosol containing the virus. It can also be spread through blood, feces, nasal secretions, and saliva. Birds infected with influenza virus spread the disease via their droppings. The disease can remain infectious for sometime. In the human body, it is infectious for about a week. However, birds that carry the disease to the Artic regions can leave infectious droppings that are contagious for a month or more at near-freezing temperatures.

Common disinfectants and detergents can be used to kill influenza viruses. There are some few strains that resist this type of prophylactic activity.

Influenza can cause illness that ranges from mild to very serious. Specific symptoms are often called “flulike” symptoms. They include fever, chills, headaches, runny or stuffy nose (rhinitis), dry cough (unproductive cough), sore throat, muscle aches (myalgia) that are nonspecific, and general weakness (malaise).

Stomach symptoms are more common in children than in adults. Symptoms in children can include ear infection (otitis media), nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. The stomach symptoms are not caused by “stomach flu” which does not exist. The stomach upset is caused by different viruses or by secondary reactions.

Generally, people infected with a case of uncomplicated influenza recover in a few days to two weeks. However, the virus may weaken the immune system so that it creates opportunistic infections from bacteria. Pneumonia is a common secondary infection. It may be a secondary infection or caused by a primary influenza viral pneumonia. Other secondary infections are bronchitis and ear infections.

Most deaths associated with influenza are due to secondary infections. Annually, between five to twenty percent of the American population catch the flu every year. This number is in the millions with most recovering soon. However, around 200,000 people have to be hospitalized every year and about 35,000 people die from influenza complications every year.

The population groups most threatened by influenza are children, those over 65 years of age, and those with chronic health problems. The influenza virus exacerbates their underlying medical condition. Asthmatics and people with cardiac disease such as chronic heart failure are vulnerable because their condition is worsened by the disease.

Treatment for the flu includes rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding the use of tobacco and alcohol. Medications may also be taken. Some such as aspirin seek to control fever. Other medications control aches and pains. Physicians may prescribe antibiotics to combat secondary infections. Antiviral medications may be prescribed to combat the influenza virus.

Aspirin can be given to adults as part of the treatment for flu, but it should never be given to children or teenagers unless ordered by a licensed physician. Medicine for relieving symptoms are readily available for children or teens. For them to take aspirin when flu-like symptoms are present is to risk contracting Reye syndrome. This is a rare but very serious illness.

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