Influenza Information

Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a respiratory illness that affects between 5 and 20 percent of the U.S. population per year, according to the Center for Disease Control. Influenza killed 50 million in 1918 during a worldwide pandemic states the Mayo Clinic. Knowledge about the illness and prevention are essential to making sure a pandemic doesn't occur again.

Causes

• There are three different strains or types of the virus that causes the flu- influenza A, B, and C. Influenza A is the strain that is responsible for worldwide outbreaks of the flu, which occur around every 10 to 40 years. Influenza B commonly causes localized outbreaks of the flu while influenza A has yet to be responsible for any sort of outbreak. Influenza A and B are constantly changing and developing into new forms of the viruses while influenza C is fairly stable.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of influenza can mimic a common cold in the early stages. The flu usually appears more suddenly than a common cold and will make you feel much worse than a cold. Symptoms include a high fever or a fever higher than 101 F in adults, headache, chills, and sweats. Some also experience a loss of appetite, muscles aches, and vomiting and diarrhea in kids. If you experience any of these symptoms, try and see a physician within 48 hours. Receiving treatment during this crucial window of time can result in a faster recovery.

Complications

• People that are at high risk of flu related complications are children from 6 months to age 19, pregnant women, and adults over the age of 50. Those that care for anyone that is at high risk are also high risk through contact. High risk groups may develop acute sinusitis, ear infections, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Pneumonia, especially for those 50 and over, is the most commonly and deadly complication that can arise from influenza.

Treatments

• In most cases, simple bed rest and fluids will do enough to treat the flu. However, in some instances, a doctor may prescribe the antiviral drugs oseltamivir or zanamivir which both work by disabling the enzyme that the flu virus needs to spread and grow. Oseltamivir is an oral medicine while zanamivir is taken inhaled with a device that resembles an asthma inhaler. Both these medications have reported side effects of loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, nausea, and vomiting. Oseltamivir users may also be at higher risk for confusion and self harm.

Prevention

• The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated annually. The best time to get vaccinated is between the months of October and November as these months are before peak times for flu. The peak season for the flu is between December and March. The flu vaccine can be administered via a shot or nasal spray called FluMist. Avoiding large crowds, washing your hands, and getting regular exercise are simple way to help prevent getting the flu without vaccines.