Influenza explained

By Dr JW Banks (General Practitioner at Life Cosmos Hospital Emergency Unit)

Influenza (flu) one of the most common infectious diseases is a highly contagious airborne disease that occurs in seasonal epidemics and manifests as an acute febrile illness with variable degrees of systemic symptoms.

Besides humans, influenza also infects a variety of animal species.

Some of these influenza strains are species-specific but others may spread from other animals to humans.

The term avian influenza in this context refers to zoonotic human infection with an influenza strain that primarily affects birds.

Swine flu refers to infection from strains derived from pigs.

The 2009 influenza season was a recombinant influenza involving a mix of swine (H1N1), avian and human gene segments; swine flu is a subtype of influenza A.

It is now a seasonal influenza that co-circulates with other seasonal influenza diseases.

It is treated as seasonal influenza, and we do see cases, often in the winter months in South Africa.

All strains of the flu can present the following symptoms:

Cough and other respiratory symptoms
Fever
Body pain
Headache
Runny nose and congestion
Weakness and fatigue
Fast pulse
Red watery eyes
Abdominal pain and diarrhea
Flank pain

ALL strains of flu can cause the following complications in susceptible individuals (these include the very young – especially infants, the elderly and immunocompromised):

Pneumonia
Secondary bacterial infection of sinuses and ears etc
Myositis
Myocarditis and pericarditis
Very rarely acute respiratory distress symptoms and organ failure

Prevention is the best management for all types of flu:

Practice good hand hygiene, wash hands frequently
Cough or sneeze into your sleeve and not into your hands
Limit exposure to sick individuals
If diagnosed with flu, stay home to prevent spreading it at school or work.

ALL types of flu are treated as follows:

Avoid exertion until recovered
Rest – get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection
Drink plenty of fluids to help with fever and prevent dehydration
Symptomatic treatment with analgesics, decongestions and cough relief (paracetamol combinations, ibuprofen, AVOID aspirin in children and teens)
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe anti-viral medication such as Tamiflu or Zanamivir.

Monitor for complications and seek medical help as needed.

Swine flu, H1N1 is a sub-type of influenza A and presents with the same symptoms as seasonal influenza.

Its complications are the same and its treatment is the same as seasonal influenza.