What is seasonal flu?
Seasonal flu is often confused with other respiratory diseases, due to the same manifestations such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, ...
Since the beginning of the year, the Department of Infection (Thu Duc Regional General Hospital) has received and treated many patients with seasonal flu.In particular, most patients are elderly, there are many background diseases and hospitalization when the condition is severe.With Dr. Huynh Minh Nhut (Thu Duc Regional General Hospital) to find out the following season of the article below, to actively prevent, protect and effectively health care.
Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by the flu virus, often thriving during the cold months of the year.The disease can cause epidemics, greatly affecting public health.Influenza A virus strains (H3N2), influenza A (H1N1), influenza B and influenza C are the main cause of the disease, of which H1N1 and H3N2 are the two most common types.
Many people think that seasonal flu is only a mild disease, but the fact shows that the weather is unpredictable, can lead to many dangerous complications and especially note that the group of patients with severe risk factors such as: ChildrenSmall, the elderly and people with chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year, seasonal flu can cause from 290,000 to 650,000 deaths worldwide.In Vietnam, seasonal flu has also recorded many cases of death, especially in large epidemics.Manifestations of seasonal influenza (influenza A and influenza B) usually appear suddenly, after only 1 to 2 days after exposure to the virus and lasts from 2 to 5 days.The disease usually relieves after 7 to 10 days.
Symptoms of seasonal flu
When suffering from flu, patients often have the following symptoms:
- Sudden high fever (> 38 degrees C, lasting about 1-2 days).
- Feeling chills.
- Symptoms of respiratory dragonitis such as sneezing, runny nose or stuffy nose, cough.
- Sore throat.
- Headache, fatigue, pain in joints and muscles.
- Expression of digestive disorders: Stomach pain, often patients feel uncomfortable, bitter mouth, anorexia accompanying.Some people also appear severe symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, ...
In patients with weak resistance, the disease can progress rapidly and lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia or respiratory failure.
What to do when suffering from seasonal flu?
It is currently the time of intersection so the weather is favorable for the development of the disease.Therefore, we need to raise the awareness of seasonal influenza prevention.Here are some effective care, treatment and prevention measures you can apply.
Depending on the degree of disease, the patient will be appointed by doctors.
In severe cases, with complications or risk factors, it will be indicated to use antiviral drugs such as: M2 inhibitors (Amantadine and Rimantadine effectively for influenza A), Neuraminidase inhibitors (Zanamivir,OSeltamivir, Peramivir is effective for both types of influenza A and B).These drugs have a clear effect when used within the first 24 hours of the disease.
In cases, mild influenza will be treated mainly to reduce symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, ... Besides, patients need to rest until the fever is over., should eat foods that are easy to digest, split meals during the day, eat enough nutrients, add vitamins (vitamins A, B, C, D, E) to help increase immunity, increase resistanceFor the body and drink plenty of water.
After the disease is relieved, the patient will return to normal activities slowly and the patient needs to be vaccinated annually to proactively prevent influenza effectively.
What to do to prevent seasonal flu?
Injecting the annual seasonal influenza vaccine is the simplest and most effective method of prevention, especially patients with high risk factors for serious illness.
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In order to proactively prevent seasonal flu, protect the health of yourself, your family and the community, the Ministry of Health recommends
- When people have symptoms of cough, fever, runny nose, headache, fatigue, do not arbitrarily test and buy medication at home but need to contact the medical facility for advice, examination and treatmentTri in time.
Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, it is best to cover with a cloth or handkerchief or a disposable paper towel or sleeve to reduce the spread of respiratory discharge.
Wear a mask, wash your hands with soap and clean water or hand antiseptic solution (especially after coughing, sneezing).Do not spit indiscriminately in public.
Limit contact with people with flu or cases of suspicion when unnecessary.
Implement healthy lifestyle, enhance physical activity, improve health.The influenza is thriving in the season, so we need to raise awareness and fulfill the Ministry of Health's recommendations for the disease to protect our health and family.