Flu Infections
Flu Infections
2022-05-20 09:37:11/ Kategori : Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine)
Influenza Infection is a disease caused by the virus called ‘influenza’, which causes epidemics especially in big cities in late autumn, winter and early spring. flu infection; In environments where sick people are present, it can be transmitted through the respiratory tract after sneezing and coughing, and it easily infects the human body after shaking hands.
Influenza infection secretes viruses called microvirus influenza on the mouth and nose secretions of individuals infected with this disease and causes it to be carried. This virus is RNA virus and can cause epidemics, but since this virus is not strong against environmental factors, it can be easily destroyed by the immune system.
Symptoms of Flu Infection
The flu starts suddenly after an incubation period of 2 days. High fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, loss of appetite are the most common symptoms. Fever usually lasts for 3 days, burning in the throat, runny nose, dry cough, extreme fatigue are other symptoms.
Fever: It is the body’s response to the influenza virus in the blood.
Chills: It is seen due to high fever.
Chills: It is seen due to the feeling of cold as a result of fever.
Fatigue: Due to the increased number of microbes in the blood, less oxygen goes to the tissues than normal, so patients feel weakness and fatigue.
Burning and pain in the throat: There is pain in the throat where the virus has settled.
Since influenza infection is a viral disease, there is no definite cure. The best treatment is to get a regular vaccination every year. In the treatment, symptomatic treatment is applied according to the patient’s complaint. Symptomatic treatments such as bed rest, plenty of fluid intake, pain relievers and antipyretics, and antiviral drugs are recommended. Complications should be monitored closely and treated appropriately.
Transmission of Influenza Infection
Influenza Infection is contagious from 2 days before the onset of symptoms to a week after the onset of symptoms.
Protection from Flu Infection
The habit of washing hands in influenza infections and the use of masks by sick people or those who come into contact with sick people and share the same environment are among the effective protection methods. Another method of prevention is the vaccination of individuals at risk.
Vaccination: Inactivated vaccines are vaccines that have proven effectiveness in preventing influenza. The World Health Organization closely monitors the variability of the virus and makes annual recommendations for vaccine content. Every year, the vaccine content is prepared taking into account the recommendations of the World Health Organization. The protective antibody level provided by the vaccine in healthy adults has been reported to be over 80% for influenza A. The protection rate was found to be lower in the elderly.
Vaccine; It is recommended for patients with frequent flu complications, for people with a high probability of transmitting the disease, for anyone over 6 months old and who does not have egg allergy who want to be protected from influenza.
Groups with high risk of complications and mortality associated with influenza infection; Those aged 65 and over, people of all ages staying in a nursing home or a health care unit with chronic care, chronic lung and heart patients, those with chronic kidney and metabolic diseases, those with immune deficiency, high-risk pregnant women, those who are likely to transmit influenza to high-risk people, doctors Vaccination is recommended for nurses and other staff working in the hospital, those working in health units providing chronic care, and those living in the same house with high-risk people.
What to Do in Flu Infections
Drug supplements that strengthen the immune system, recommended by your doctor, can be used. In particular, foods high in protein (red/white meat or fish) that strengthen the immune system should be consumed, and we should increase the frequency of snacks and the consumption of fruit in these meals.
Vitamins C, E and B are important for the immune system to work well. Vitamin C is antivirus effective and neutralizes the toxins of bacteria. We can get vitamin C from all vegetables and fruits, especially green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits. Vitamin B prevents the body’s resistance from falling, we should especially consume bread made from whole wheat flour. In addition, we should consume nuts such as walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts for vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant, which strengthens the immune system, and zinc. Lactobacillus, Aeidophilus and bifidobacteria bifidum are the most known and used probiotics. The use of probiotics strengthens the immune system by increasing the number of body defense system cells. In order to remove the infection from the body, we should increase fluid consumption and drink 2-3 cups of herbal tea a day.
