Flu (influenza) is a respiratory infection disease, known as flu in the society, caused by influenza viruses (Type A, B and C), that develops suddenly, causes fever and can usually affect the nose, throat and then the lungs.
Flu is spread by coughing and sneezing, which spread droplets carrying live viruses that cause the disease into the environment. Flu epidemics are generally more common as we enter winter (October - November) and summer (March - April). It is known that influenza virus infections, which have a special place among infectious diseases, cause widespread epidemics at 1-3 year intervals, have been seen for 400 years, and 350 million people in the world are infected with this disease every year. Then it appears suddenly within a day or two. Common symptoms include complaints such as fever (38 - 41°C), headache, feeling of fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose and muscle aches.
The importance of the disease, the risk of infection, immunity It can cause serious complications in people with system failure, the elderly and those with significant health problems. While most of those infected recover within a week or two, secondary diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis and middle ear infection may occur in 5-20% of the patient group. In developed societies, where the proportion of elderly population increases, the number of deaths due to flu also increases. Therefore, early diagnosis is of great importance in the monitoring and treatment of high-risk and elderly patients who are likely to be affected by influenza-related complications.
Flu and Cold are diseases with different causes, the symptoms of which can often be confused. Since the above-mentioned clinical findings can also be seen in diseases such as upper respiratory tract diseases, colds and bronchitis, it is important to distinguish between the diagnosis of "Flu" and "Flu-like upper respiratory tract infection". The diagnosis of influenza infection can be made definitively by isolating the virus. However, since the culture process of viruses requires special systems and takes a long time, it may not be effective in the treatment of the patient. Determination of types of viruses growing in cultures Epidemics are monitored and this information is used in the preparation of vaccines. Influenza Type A has a higher incidence and impact than Influenza Type B.
Antibiotics are not effective in the treatment of flu (influenza) and are often used unnecessarily. Unnecessary use of antibiotics causes the development of resistance in bacteria, delaying the treatment of some infections and increasing treatment costs. Antibiotics should be used when bacterial infections (such as sinusitis, pneumonia and otitis media) develop secondary to the disease.
It is important to be vaccinated before the flu season to protect against the disease. However, due to the increasing frequency of flu infections with different strains, vaccination does not always protect against winter. Considering vaccine complications and side effects, I do not recommend routine flu vaccination to my patients (except for risk groups), other than taking plenty of vitamin C in winter (orange-grapefruit juice, etc.).
It is especially beneficial to vaccinate children, those over 65 years of age and those with chronic diseases (such as asthma, heart failure, diabetes and cancer patients). Vaccination of hospital staff is also important to prevent nosocomial infections. Droplets transmitted to the mouth and hands during coughing and sneezing play an important role in the spread of the infection. Therefore, it is very important to keep hands clean by washing them constantly.
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