Influenza: Symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention

1
INFLUENZA

• SYMPTOMS CAUSES TREATMENT PREVENTION

2
INTRODUCTION TO INFLUENZA

• The flu is a contagious respiratory illness
  caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose,
  throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe
  illness, and at times can lead to death. The best
  way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu
  vaccine each year.
• How flu spread
• Most experts believe that flr viruses spres
  mainly by droplets made when people with flu
  cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in
  the mouths or noses of people who are nearby.
  Less often, a person might also get flu by
  touching a surface or object that has flu virus
  on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or
  possibly their nose.

3
SYMPTOMS OF INFLUENZA

• Moderate to high fever
• Dry cough
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Chills
• Runny nose
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle aches
• Tiredness

4
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COMMON COLD AND INFLUENZA

• Many cold and influenza symptoms are similar.
  Both common cold and influenza are caused by
  viruses. There are some differences with
  influenza. Symptoms of influenza often hit
  suddenly and cause you to become weaker and
  weaker. The dry cough and fatigue of influenza
  can last two to three weeks. Signs that
  influenza is getting worse include
• Fever
• Shaking chills
• Shortness of breath
• If you think that your illness is getting worse,
  contact your pulmonologist promptly.

5
TREATMENT OF INFLUENZA

• Most people with influenza who are otherwise
  healthy do not need special drugs or treatments.
  If you have influenza, you should Rest
• Drink lots of fluids
• Eat a light diet
• Stay at home
• Take appropriate medicines
• Antiviral medication
• Antiviral drugs
• Antiviral treatment last for 3-5 days and must be
  started with in the first 2 days of illness.

6
MEDICINES FOR SEVERE INFLUENZA CASES

• If you are seriously ill, your health care
  provider might order an antiviral drug for you.
  Infections from bacteria are more likely when you
  have influenza. Health care providers treat these
  bacterial infections with antibiotic drugs.
  Common secondary infections include 
• Bacterial pneumonia
• Ear infections
• Sinus infections

7
Prevention of influenza

• If you receive an influenza vaccine, you are
  likely to be protected from influenza. The
  vaccine is given as a shot or a nasal spray. You
  must get the vaccine every year to be protected.
  Sometimes the vaccine does not prevent influenza
  but makes its symptoms less severe. The vaccine
  is safe, even for pregnant women. You cannot get
  influenza from the vaccine. 

8
WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THE VACCINATION?

• Its a good idea for everyone to get an influenza
  vaccine every year. You will protect yourself and
  other people. People who have a high risk of
  becoming seriously ill from influenza are urged
  to get a vaccine once a year. You should also ask
  your pulmonologist about a pneumonia vaccination.
  You have a high risk if you have 
• Lung disease
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Heart problems
• An illness or are taking a medicine that makes it
  hard for your body to fight illnesses
• Severe anaemia

9
CONTINUE.

• You also have a higher risk of becoming seriously
  ill if you 
• Are over 65 years old
• Are under 18 years old and must
  take aspirin regularly
• Live or work in a nursing home
• Have AIDS
• Other individuals who are not at high risk might
  also receive a flu vaccination. If you work in a
  healthcare facility, you may transmit influenza
  to others in a healthcare facility, but you are
  not at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill.