ALL ABOUT FLU

 

We are in the midst of an influenza season. Hundreds of different viruses can infect the respiratory system and cause colds and the flu. The respiratory system is your throat, sinuses, windpipe (trachea) and lungs. Symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, head congestion and cough can also be caused by allergies.

Flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:

·       fever or feeling feverish/chills

·       cough

·       sore throat

·       runny or stuffy nose

·       muscle or body aches

·       headaches

·       fatigue (tiredness)

·       some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

 

Varied Clinical Presentation

Most people who get flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death.

Sinus and ear infections are examples of moderate complications from flu, while pneumonia is a serious flu complication that can result from either flu virus infection alone or from co-infection of flu virus and bacteria. Other possible serious complications triggered by flu can include inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle tissues (myositis, rhabdomyolysis), and multi-organ failure (for example, respiratory and kidney failure). Flu virus infection of the respiratory tract can trigger an extreme inflammatory response in the body and can lead to sepsis, the body's life-threatening response to infection. Flu also can make chronic medical problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have flu, and people with chronic heart disease may experience a worsening of this condition triggered by flu.

Serious problems related to flu can happen to anyone at any age, but some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant people and children younger than 5 years, but especially those younger than 2 years old.

If you often get symptoms of a cold or flu, there could be three reasons:

1.     You are exposed to more respiratory system viruses than most people

2.     You are more susceptible to catching respiratory viruses than most people

3.     Your symptoms are really caused by allergies. (You call the symptoms "colds" but they are not caused by viral infections.)

 

Emergency care

People experiencing these warning signs should obtain medical care right away.

In children

·       Fast breathing or trouble breathing

·       Bluish lips or face

·       Ribs pulling in with each breath

·       Chest pain

·       Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)

·       Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)

·       Not alert or interacting when awake

·       Seizures

·       Fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit that is not controlled by fever-reducing medicine

·       In children younger than 12 weeks, any fever

·       Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen

·       Worsening of chronic medical conditions

In adults

·       Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

·       Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

·       Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse

·       Seizures

·       Not urinating

·       Severe muscle pain

·       Severe weakness or unsteadiness

·       Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen

·       Worsening of chronic medical conditions

 

Prevention

Vaccine

The best time to get the flu shot is the end of August and during September. The protection should last through the winter into March. Getting the flu shot at this time allows immune protection to build before the flu activity ramps up, and it makes it more likely that the protection will last through the winter. The flu shot does not work right away because it takes time for the body to develop antibodies, which help fight off the virus. It takes about two weeks after getting vaccinated for the flu shot to provide full protection. Some children may need two doses of the flu vaccine, which are given at least four weeks apart. Influenza is a nasty virus, particularly for older, frail people and people with underlying illnesses. But the more we all get vaccinated, the better we protect ourselves and others.

 

There are several different types of flu shots available — the one that is appropriate for you will depend on your age, health status, allergies and other factors. It’s always good to talk to a primary health care provider who knows you well. We use Influvac Quadri or Flu Quadri, which are quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines. These vaccines are manufactured using inactivated (killed) influenza virus grown in eggs. This egg-based flu shot contains four times the antigen of the standard-dose, inactivated virus vaccines to produce a stronger immune response in the body. It’s approved for individuals 65 and older. Cell based flu shot contains virus that was grown in cell culture, so it is completely egg-free.

 

Adjuvanted flu shot is an egg-based flu shot approved for people 65 and older that contains an adjuvant, which makes an individual have a stronger immune response. Recombinant flu shots are egg-free flu shot made using recombinant technology, which contains three times the antigens of standard-dose flu shots. Nasal spray vaccine is a nasal mist and it uses live, attenuated (weakened) virus, and it’s approved for people from 2 to 49 years of age. Senior citizens should go for recombinant flu shots or adjuvant flu shots. It's safe for pregnant people to get the flu shot during any trimester, which also helps protect the baby after birth according to National Centre for Disease Control.

 

Other measures to stop spread at home

When somebody in the family comes down with the flu, all it takes is a couple of hours for the virus to spread. From the kitchen to the bathroom, keep illness at bay with these room-specific strategies and prevention tips.  

In the kitchen

60 percent of refrigerator handles, drawer knobs, and light switches test positive for the flu virus in a home when one person in the family is sick? And, to top it all off, the virus can live for up to three days! So, keep germs from spreading by wiping down these hot spots and other frequently touched surfaces with disinfectant.  

 

In the bedroom

When someone in the family is sick, keep germs from spreading by washing your bedding daily and tumble dry on high heat. On this note, even though the linens may contain germs, it's okay to mix it with the rest of your family's laundry when in the wash. Alternatively, if your spouse is feeling under the weather, sleeping in a separate bed may feel unkind, but it's your best defense against the flu.

In the bathroom

Keeping the lid of the toilet closed when a family member is sick is essential. When you have a viral infection, the organisms are in your stool. And as unpleasant as it may sound, when you flush, germs are spat into the air, potentially contaminating nearby bathroom countertops, hand towels, and toothbrushes. But putting the toilet lid down before you flush ought to keep things in your bathroom germ-free.  

 

In the dining room

When someone in the family is feeling under the weather, serve Kadha. This contains abundant micro-nutrients, that help in recovery. I have discussed all about Khada in one of my previous blogs: https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2020/07/kadha-my-grand-mas-magic-potion.html

 

 In the foyer

Keep hand sanitizer on your entryway table, serving as a reminder to clean your hands upon walking through the door. Studies show that over 80 percent of common infections are spread through contaminated hands, so using a hand sanitizer, even if it's just once a day, can seriously reduce your risk of getting sick. Airing out a room is also important when someone at home is feeling a little unwell. Opening a window, even if it's just for an hour, will help cleanse the air, allowing fresh oxygen to come in - making everyone at home feel much better.  

 

In the living room

Be sure to clean your remote controls with disinfectant to remove any germs. And be sure to give all doorknobs a wipe too - they tend to be a germ hot spot.   It may surprise you to discover that your workspace harbors 400 times more bacteria than your toilet. Whenever possible, be sure to use a disinfectant wipe to clean your desk and appliances like your phone and keyboard, at least once a week.

Any adult, who is exposed to young children a lot, such as parents and teachers, is exposed to all the viruses that children carry. Some people are more susceptible to allergies. Many people are allergic to things that are in outdoor or indoor air, such as pollen, dust, molds, or dander from household pets. I see lots of patients who think they have a cold, but it turns out they have allergies. It might be worth talking to your doctor about allergies. There are probably lifestyle changes or treatments that could reduce your symptoms.