Key Facts About Influenza

About Influenza

A viral disease, Influenza is a condition wherein an individual’s nose, throat, bronchi, and sometimes lungs, are infected by the Influenza virus. Influenza is also known by the name of “Flu.”

It is a highly communicable disease, and the infection can spread rapidly from one infected person to another via small particles or droplets whenever an infected person sneezes or coughs.

The spread of it becomes all the more, during cases of seasonal epidemics. Typically, the effects of influenza last for some days or a week at the maximum.

Coming to the symptoms of Influenza, an infected person is likely to have a sore throat, high-temperature fever that comes and goes, aching muscles, rhinitis, cough and cold, running nose, and also severe discomfort and the constant nudging feeling of unproductiveness.

While the healing form influenza happens thoroughly between one to two weeks, in some cases it can become fatal. This is when a person has other underlying medical conditions, is extremely young or very old. In such cases, influenza can take the shape of pneumonia or other health issues, causing death.

There are three types of Influenza virus: Type A, Type B, and Type C. While the virus is spread through particles in the air from sneezes and coughs of infected people, but can also be transmitted by touching surfaces that hold the influenza virus.

An infected person can infect another person long before he starts showing any symptoms of infection from the influenza virus.

On the other hand, the diagnosis of a person suffering from this illness can be done through a throat or sputum test.

However, in many cases, the test results can show negative, even if the person has been infected. It is only after a proper show of symptoms in such cases that a test can render a positive result.

One needs to take precautions in order to reduce the risk of falling prey to the influenza virus. This can be done simply by wearing a surgical mask to prevent contact or virus through eyes or mouth, and also hand washing frequently with soap, since soap is said to deactivate the virus.

The treatment includes ample rest, adequate intake of liquids, especially water to keep the body hydrated, and also paracetamol, in recommended dosage to reduce the fever.