Watsons Health
- An infectious disease caused by an Influenza virus. Symptoms usually start two days after exposure to the virus and most last less than a week. Cough may last for more than two weeks.
- Nausea and vomiting may be present in children, but are not common in adults.
- Complications of the disease may include viral pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, and worsening of previous health problems such as asthma or heart failure.
- Other name: Flu
- Around 33% of people with influenza are asymptomatic
- Symptoms of influenza may include:
- Fever and extreme coldness (chills shivering, shaking)
- Cough
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Body aches, especially joints and throat
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Irritated, watering eyes
- Reddened eyes, skin (especially face), mouth, throat and nose
- Petechial rash
- There may be difficulty in distinguishing between the common cold and influenza in the early stages.
- Flu – high fever with a sudden onset and extreme fatigue
- Influenza – mixture of symptoms of common cold and pneumonia, body ache, headache, and fatigue.
- Of the symptoms enumerated, the combinations of fever with cough, sore throat and/or nasal congestion can improve accuracy of diagnosis.
- Occasionally, can cause severe illness
- Primary viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia.
- Obvious symptom is trouble breathing.
- Additionally, if a child (or presumably an adult) seems to be getting better and then relapses with a high fever, bacterial pneumonia can be suspected.
DIAGNOSIS
- Physician may do/request:
- History & Physical Exam
- Laboratory tests
RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS
- Rest, drink a lot of fluids, avoid alcohol and tobacco use.
- Medications like acetaminophen (paracetamol) for fever and pain relief.
- Children and teenagers with flu symptoms (particularly fever) should not take aspirin during an influenza infection (especially influenza type B)
- Might develop Reye’s syndrome – rare but potentially fatal liver disease
- Antiviral medications
- Neuraminidase inhibitors: oseltamivir, zanamivir
- M2 protein inhibitors: amantadine, rimantadine
- Children and teenagers with flu symptoms (particularly fever) should not take aspirin during an influenza infection (especially influenza type B)