Influenza is an acute viral infection that can be easily transmitted from person to person in every age group and can cause serious complications in certain risk groups. Influenza virus infections are the most common viral infections and according to WHO (World Health Organization) data, 5-15 people out of 100 get this disease every year. ¹
The virus is transmitted from person to person as a result of droplets emitted by coughing and sneezing, inhalation of these droplets by healthy individuals, and touching contaminated surfaces (door handles, telephone, computer, table, pen, etc.). It has an incubation period of about 1-4 days, sometimes up to 7 days. After the incubation period, fever, chills, runny nose, cough, weakness, and muscle pain occur in children.
In some cases, redness in the eyes, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may occur. Although signs of upper respiratory tract infection are prominent in children, it can only manifest itself as a febrile illness. In addition, it can also cause acute laryngitis or lower respiratory tract infections.
In general, most people's flu infection subsides within a few days, and complaints usually heal within a week. Complications such as pneumonia, sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis may develop, especially in people in the risk group, and may even occur in life-threatening situations.
Children under the age of five, especially those under 2 years old, 65 years old people over the age of 19, pregnant women, those with underlying chronic diseases (asthma, heart disease, liver, kidney disease, neurological disease, weakened immune system, etc.), those under the age of 19 who need to use acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) for a long time, and obese people are high-risk groups for influenza. Influenza disease can be easily detected and diagnosed clinically and by examination. In addition, the diagnosis can be made with swabs taken from nasal secretions and rapid antigenic tests.
Symptoms of Influenza Infection in Children:
Influenza infection is a respiratory disease caused by influenza A, B, and C viruses. Influenza B and C cause milder symptoms compared to influenza A. Symptoms of the disease;
v Sudden onset of fever
v Fatigue
v Headache
v Muscle and joint pains
v Cough
v Runny nose
v Nasal congestion
v Chills, chills, nausea and vomiting
Flu symptoms are often mistaken for a common cold. In fact, although cold and flu are both respiratory diseases, their causative agents are different viruses. Although both diseases are similar to each other, there are differences between them in terms of findings. While flu symptoms are generally milder, flu symptoms are more severe and last longer, causing severe complications and hospitalization.
Prevention and Treatment of Influenza Infection in Children:
While coughing and sneezing, the mouth and nose should be covered with a disposable paper tissue and the tissue should be thrown away and hands should be washed. For hand hygiene, hands should be washed with soap and water frequently, the sick person should dry their hands with a paper towel and the towel should be thrown away. It is implemented to ensure the continuation of the necessary uninterrupted services, to prevent school absenteeism and loss of workforce, to prevent economic losses, to prevent virus mutations that may occur with the long duration of the epidemic, to reduce the need for hospitalization and intensive care beds due to illness. employees and people at high risk of developing serious complications with influenza infection at the beginning of the season every year. It recommends getting vaccinated before eating. ²
Priority groups for vaccination include:
v Pregnant women
v Individuals >6 months old with certain chronic diseases
v> People over 65 years of age
v Elderly and disabled care home workers
v Children 6-59 months old
v Healthcare workers
Anyone who wants to be protected can be vaccinated. The vaccine is administered intramuscularly. Children older than 6 months can be vaccinated. If it is done for the first time before the age of 9, it is done 2 times in total, with an interval of one month for that year, once a year for those younger than 9 years old who have been vaccinated before or those who are older than 9 years old. Children between 6-35 months are given a half dose of vaccination (0.25 ml), and those older than 36 months are given a full dose (0.5 ml). to relieve clinical findings. It is important to rest at home until the signs of illness pass. Complications that may occur should be closely monitored. In cases where the symptoms of the disease last for a long time, the fever continues for more than 3 days, the fever reappears after the symptoms of recovery, there are signs of respiratory distress, the change in consciousness, and inability to take enough fluids and feeding difficulties, a doctor should be consulted no matter what.
Antiviral treatment should be started within the first 48 hours for patients requiring hospitalization due to influenza, those with progressive influenza symptoms, and those at risk of developing influenza complications.
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