09/16/2018
Influenza (flu)
Influenza is caused by 2 major types of viruses: Influenza A and B. It occurs more often in the winter when weather change from warm to cold and because people spend more time in close contact with one another. The flu is spread easily from person to person by coughing, sneezing, or touching surfaces.
Symptoms of seasonal flu can vary from person to person but usually include:
â—ŹFever temperature higher than 100ÂşF
â—ŹHeadache and muscle aches
â—ŹFatigue
â—ŹCough and sore throat may also be present
Symptoms usually last 2-5 day, differs from upper respiratory viruses that normally last less than 2 days. Fatigue and weakness may last longer time.
Diagnosis is very important to avoid complication as treatment is luckily available. Diagnosis can be done based on symptoms and confirmed by simple test at the clinic. Starting treatment early is crucial in limiting the spread of the disease and decrease the severity and duration of the disease.
See your doctor immediately if you have shortness of breath, intractable vomiting, dehydration, dizziness or confusion, or in children if your child does not wake up easily, irritated, has rash or cry without tears in infants.
Treatment is usually supportive including: rest, fluid, Acetaminophen (Tylenol) plus Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) as indicated by your doctor
Preventions can be done by frequent hand washing, avoiding contact with sick people and most importantly Flu vaccine which is now available.
