Influenza

Subject: Community Health Nursing II

Overview

The influenza virus is the infectious disease that causes influenza, also referred to as "the flu." There are mild to severe symptoms. The most typical signs and symptoms are a high temperature, runny nose, sore throat, headache, coughing, and fatigue. Most of these symptoms persist less than a week and usually start two days after virus introduction. However, a cough could persist for more than two weeks.

The influenza virus is the infectious disease that causes influenza, also referred to as "the flu." There are mild to severe symptoms. High temperature, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches, headaches, and extreme fatigue are some of the most typical symptoms. Most of these symptoms persist less than a week and usually start two days after virus introduction. However, a cough could persist for more than two weeks. Vomiting and nausea are not common in adults, although they can occur in youngsters. The associated infection gastroenteritis, which is occasionally incorrectly referred to as "stomach flu" or "24-hour flu," causes nausea and vomiting more frequently.

PHC Issue

People who have the flu are recommended to relax a lot, stay hydrated, abstain from alcohol and tobacco use, and, if necessary, use drugs like acetaminophen (paracetamol) to treat their fever and muscular aches. When suffering from flu symptoms, especially fever, children and teenagers should refrain from taking aspirin since doing so can trigger Reye's syndrome, an uncommon but potentially fatal liver illness. Unless administered for secondary infections such bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics have no effect on the infection since influenza is caused by a virus. If taken early, antiviral treatment may be successful.

Reference

Ambika Rai, Kabita Dahal. Community Health Nursing II. Kathmandu: Makalu Publication House, 2012 (reprint).

Dr.Suwal S.N. & Tuitui R. (2063) A Textbook of Community Health Nursing, 1st edition, Vidyarthi Prakashan (P). Ltd. Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu

Medline Plus. 05 January 2017 https://medlineplus.gov/flu.html

Medscape. 1994. 2017 http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/219557-overview

Tuitui, Roshani. Community Health Nursing. Kathmandu: Vidyarthi Prakashan (P.)

Web MD. 2005. 2017 http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/tc/influenza-topic-overview#1

Things to remember

Influenza, commonly known as "the flu", is an infectious disease caused by an influenza virus.
Symptoms can be mild to severe. The most common symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, coughing, and feeling tired. These symptoms typically begin two days after exposure to the virus and most last less than a week. A cough, however, may last for more than two weeks.
People with flu are advised to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of liquids, avoid using alcohol and tobacco and, if necessary, take medications such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) to relieve the fever and muscle aches associated with the flu.

Questions and Answers

Write about influenza?

The influenza virus is the infectious illness that causes influenza, sometimes referred to as "the flu." There are moderate to severe symptoms. The most typical signs and symptoms include a high temperature, runny nose, sore throat, muscular aches, headaches, coughing, and fatigue. Most of these symptoms persist less than a week and usually start two days after viral introduction. However, a cough might persist for more than two weeks. Vomiting and nausea are not typical in adults, although they are possible in youngsters. The unrelated illness gastroenteritis, which is occasionally incorrectly referred to as "stomach flu" or "24-hour flu," causes nausea and vomiting more frequently.

PHC Issue

Get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, abstain from using alcohol and cigarettes, and, if required, use drugs such acetaminophen (paracetamol) to reduce flu-related fever and muscular pains. When suffering from influenza, especially influenza type B, children and teens should refrain from taking aspirin since doing so might trigger Reye's syndrome, an uncommon but potentially deadly liver illness. Unless prescribed for secondary infections like bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics have no effect on the infection since influenza is caused by a virus. If taken early, antiviral medication may be effective.