INFLUENZA VIRUS

OVERVIEW

What is Influenza
Etymology and Prognosis
Cause
Method of Infection
Signs and Symptoms
Treatment
Prevention

INFLUENZA VIRUS
Influenza, commonly known as
"theflu", is aninfectious
diseasecaused by theinfluenza
virus.
The flu is a contagious respiratory
illness.
3 separate viruses are virus A,
virus B and rare virus C
It can cause mild to severe illness
and at times can lead to death.

ETYMOLOGY
The word Influenza
comes from the Italian
language meaning
"influence" and refers to
the cause of the disease;
initially, this ascribed
illness to unfavourable
astrological influences.
Changes in medical
thought led to its
modification to influenza
del freddo, meaning
"influence of the cold".

PROGNOSIS
Influenza's effects are
much more severe and
last longer than those of
the common cold. Most
people will recover
completely in about one
to two weeks, but others
will develop lifethreatening
complications (such as
pneumonia). Thus,
influenza can be deadly,
especially for the weak,
young and old, or
chronically ill.

CAUSE
Influenza virus commonly known as
the flu, is an infectious disease of birds
and mammals caused by RNA viruses.
Commonly confused with a cold, the flu
is much more severe disease and
caused by a different virus.

METHOD OF
TRANSMISSION
Respiratory droplets caused by
sneezing and coughing.
Sharing foods or drinks with an
infected individual.
Touching your nose or mouth after
touching something with flu viruses on
it.

SIGNS AND
SYMPTOMS

Fever (usually high)

Headache

Extreme tiredness

Dry cough

Sore throat

Runny or stuffy nose

Muscle aches

Though similar symptoms occur with cold, they are

much more severe with the flu.

TREATMENT
Use of antiviral agents, such as oseltamivir
(Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza), within the first
2 days may shorten the illness and help prevent
serious complications
Have adequate rest
Increase intake of oral fluids & nutritious foods
Take paracetamol for fever. Aspirin should not
be given to children.
Antibiotics should be given only to complications
of influenza, such as pneumonia or otitis media.

PREVENTION
Avoid crowded places
Wash hands frequently with soap and water
Cover mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing to
prevent the spread of virus.
Rest
Body needs an adequate rest to fight infections
Fluids early and often
Helps flush body of toxins
Healthy Diet
Provides body with proper nutrients to build immunity
Vitamin C, Vitamin D
Essential for building immunity

PREVENTION

Vaccination
Inactivated virus
Generally a guess, as to which antigenic shift for a
reason
Recommended for:
Personnel in the hospital and outpatient care
Employees of assisted living and other residents for
high risk groups.