INFLUENZA (Flu; Grippe)

General Information

DEFINITION--A common, contagious respiratory infection caused by a virus. Incubation after exposure is 24 to 48 hours. There are three main types of influenza (A, B, C), but they have the ability to mutate into different forms. Outbreaks of different forms occur almost every winter with varying severity.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Upper-respiratory system.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages except infants.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Chills and moderate to high fever.
• Muscle aches, including backache.
• Cough, usually with little or no sputum.
• Sore throat; hoarseness; runny nose; headache; fatigue.

CAUSES--Infection by viruses of the myxovirus class. The viruses spread by personal contact or indirect contact (such as use of a contaminated drinking glass).

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Stress; excessive fatigue; poor nutrition.
• Recent illness that has lowered resistance.
• Chronic lung or heart disease.
• Pregnancy (3rd trimester).
• Students; people in semi-closed environments.
• Immunosuppression from drugs or illness.
• Crowded places during an epidemic.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Avoid risks listed above if possible.
• Have a yearly influenza vaccine injection if you are over age 65, have chronic heart or lung disease (no matter what age), live in close institutional quarters (nursing home, dorms, military base) or you are a health care worker. The vaccine only protects against two or three specific strains of influenza A.
• Avoid unnecessary contact with persons who have upper-respiratory infections.
• Use of drug (amantadine or rimantadine) for high-risk persons that have not been vaccinated.
• Avoid crowds during flu season.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Medical history and exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory studies, such as blood tests and sputum culture, x-rays of the chest (only for complications).

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Bacterial infections, including middle-ear infection, bronchitis or pneumonia. These can be especially dangerous for chronically ill persons or those over age 65.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Spontaneous recovery in 7 to 14 days if no complications occur. If complications arise, treatment with antibiotics is usually necessary and recovery may take 3 to 6 weeks.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• To relieve nasal congestion, use salt-water drops (1 teaspoon of salt to 1 quart of water).
• To relieve a sore throat, gargle often with warm or cold, double-strength tea.
• Use an ultrasonic cool-mist humidifier to increase air moisture. This thins lung secretions so they can be coughed up more easily. Don't put medicine in the humidifier; it does not help.
• To avoid spreading germs to others, wash your hands frequently.
• Use warm compresses or heating pad for aching muscles.
• Use a sponge bath to reduce a fever.

MEDICATION--

• For minor discomfort, you may use non-prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen, cough syrups, nasal sprays or decongestants.
• Don't give aspirin to a person younger than 18. Some research shows a link between the use of aspirin in children during a virus illness and the development of Reye's syndrome.
• Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug for seriously ill persons or for those at greatest risk.

ACTIVITY--Rest is the best medicine. If you are in good general health, rest aids recovery.

DIET--

• Appetite is usually lacking. You may just want liquids at first, then progress to small meals of bland starchy foods (dry toast, rice, pudding, cooked cereal, baked potatoes)
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day (especially if you have a high fever). Extra fluids, including fruit juice, tea and noncarbonated drinks, also help thin lung secretions.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of influenza.
• The following occurs during treatment: Increased fever or cough; blood in the sputum; earache. Shortness of breath or chest pain; thick discharge from the nose, sinuses or ears. Sinus pain; neck pain or stiffness.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop.