influenza

DEFINITIONS
Influenza (flu) is a viral infection that causes fever, runny nose, headache, cough, not feeling well (malaise) and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and respiratory tract.

GENERAL CONSIDERATION
Influenza (an orthomyxovirus) is transmitted by the respiratory route. in contrast to RSV and rhinoviruses, transmission occurs by droplet nuclei rather than fomites or large particle aerosols. Although sporadic cases occur, epidemics and pandemics appear at varying intervals, usually in the fall of winter. antigenic types A and B produced clinically indistinguishable infections, whereas type C is usually a minor illness through pig vectors, between avian and human strains.
A small number of human cases of a new strain of avian influenza A (H5N1) were reported from Hong Kong in December 1997. surveillance suggested that the highest risk for disease occurred among those with poultry exposure, though person to person transmission was not fully excluded. a massive poultry slaughter ensued based on these findings. the continued surveillance for future potentially pandemic strains is an important aspects of influenza control.

CAUSE
Influenza virus type A or B.
The virus is transmitted through infected saliva that comes out when the patient coughs or sneezes, or through direct contact with secretions (saliva, saliva, nasal mucus) patients.

SYMPTOMS
Influenza is different with the common cold.
Symptoms occur within 24-48 hours after infection and can occur suddenly.

Chills is usually the first indication of influenza.
In the first few days of frequent fever, can be up to 38.9 to 39.4? Celsius.

Many patients who feel sick so had to stay in bed; they feel the aches and pains throughout the body, especially on the back and legs.
Headache is often severe, with pain that is felt all around and behind the eyes. Bright light can exacerbate headaches.

Initially a relatively mild respiratory symptoms, such as itching in the throat, burning sensation in the chest, dry cough and runny nose.
Will increase in intensity and then cough up phlegm.
Palpable warmth and redness of skin, especially in the facial area.
Mouth and throat reddish, watery eyes and the whites experiencing mild inflammation.
Sometimes nausea and vomiting can occur, especially in children.

After 2-3 days most of the symptoms will disappear immediately and fever usually subside, although sometimes a fever lasts up to five days.
Bronchitis and cough can settle up to 10 days or more, and it may take 6-8 weeks o the total recovery from the changes that occur in the respiratory tract.


COMPLICATIONS

Influenza is a serious disease, but most patients will be healthy again in 7-10 days.
Complications can aggravate the disease. High risk for complications found in patients with a very young, elderly and people with heart disease, lung or nervous system.

Sometimes influenza causes severe inflammation of respiratory tract accompanied by bloody sputum (hemorrhagic bronchitis).
The most serious complication is pneumonia virus, which can be developed immediately and cause death within 48 hours. Pneumonia virus is likely to occur during outbreaks of influenza A.
Dalah other complications of bacterial pneumonia that occurred because of the disturbance in the ability of the lungs to eliminate or control the bacteria in the respiratory tract.

Although very rare, jgua influenza virus associated with inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), heart (myocarditis) or muscle (miositis).
Encephalitis can cause the patient appeared drowsy, confused or even fell in a coma. Myocarditis can cause a heart murmur or heart failure.

Reye's syndrome is a serious complication and could be fatal, which occurred primarily in children during epidemics of influenza B.
Reye syndrome primarily occurs when the kids get aspirin or drugs containing aspirin.

DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis based on symptoms. Severity of disease and the presence of high fever distinguish influenza from common cold.
To confirm the diagnosis made of cultivating the virus from secretions of the patient.

TREATMENT
The main flu treatment is rest and lay in bed, drink plenty of fluids and avoid fatigue. Tirah lying should be performed soon after symptoms arise until 24-48 after body temperature returned to normal.

For severe disease but without complications, could be given asetaminofenn, aspirin, ibuprofen or naproksen.
To children should not be given aspirin because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
Other drugs are commonly given nasal decongestants and steam inhalation.

If immediately given to influenza A infection who have not experienced complications, drug or amantadin rimantadin can help reduce the duration and severity of fever and respiratory symptoms.
Ribavirin (in the form of inhaled drugs or tablets) can shorten the duration of fever and affects the ability of viruses to reproduce, but their use is still experimental. Ribavirin may be given to alleviate symptoms of viral pneumonia.

Secondary bacterial infection is treated with antibiotics.
Bacterial pneumonia due to pneumococcus, can be prevented with a vaccine containing pneumococcal. But the vaccine is not given to someone who has been suffering from influenza.

PREVENTION
Someone who never exposed influenza virus, will form antibodies that protect against re-infection by certain viruses.
But the best way to prevent influenza is vaccination is carried out every year.

Influenza virus influenza vaccine containing an inactive (turned off) or virus particles.
A vaccine can be monovalent (one species) or polivalen (usually three species).
A monovalent vaccine may be given in high doses to combat a new type of virus, while a vaccine polivalen add more than one defense against viruses.

Rimantadin Amantadin or a second anti-viral drug that can protect against influenza A alone.
This drug is used during outbreaks of influenza A in order to protect the people who had contact with patients and people who have high-risk who have not received vaccinations.
The use of drugs can be stopped within 2-3 weeks after undergoing vaccination. If vaccination can not be done, then the drug was given during an epidemic, usually for 6-8 weeks.
Oba may cause anxiety, insomnia and other side effects, especially in elderly and in patients with brain or kidney disorders.