“influenzaAccording to the season, the similarities are different fromCOVID-19″ Because both the senior influenza and younger friends likeCovid-19 It is a contagious disease from the respiratory system as well. But they differ in that the virus that causes infection comes from different types of viruses. Influenza is caused by infection with the influenza virus, while COVID-19 is caused by the coronavirus that was found in 2019 and it is known that COVID-19 is more easily spread and contagious. influenza
which, when compared with the tax of violence And complications in some patients will be much more. And of course, to differentiate the two types of infectious diseases. Alone by looking at the history and symptoms, if the symptoms are insufficient to tell That’s why Why do I have to do an inspection? Always be tested for any suspected symptoms. Today we will talk regarding the basics of influenza. A senior friend who is trendy during the rainy season that is coming to Thailand.
Dr. Nathanat Changngernchan, a physician specializing in internal medicine internal medicine center Nawavej Hospital Provides useful information regarding seasonal flu. By collecting in the article to educate in its entirety whether it is the nature of the infection, the cause, the symptoms, the risk group, as well as how to prevent the transmission of infection.
How is the flu?
Influenza is a well known disease. and is a very common disease for Thai people When it is, it can be repeated once more. can be contacted easily As a result, there was an outbreak of disease. Although influenza is not as serious for those who are physically active. But it has the effect of causing discomfort. unable to work or go to school It also negatively affects the economy and society. or low immunity The disease can be severe.
In Thailand, influenza can be found all year round. but are found a lot during the rainy season From June to October which will coincide with the opening period of the first semester As a result, there are many outbreaks in educational institutions. After that, they are more common during the winter following the new year until the end of February. But the outbreak during this period is usually not as high as the outbreak during the rainy season.
During the two years of the severe outbreak of COVID-19 found that the outbreak of influenza and other respiratory viral diseases were greatly reduced, although the exact cause was not yet known. But it is assumed that there should be an issue of changing people’s behavior, such as a decrease in travel. Wearing a mask at all times hand hygiene and more spacing
influenza infection
influenza infection will be contacted by large aerosols or small from those who are already infected and having to come in contact with secretions from the respiratory tract and then touch the tissue lining various locations such as eyes, nose, mouth or breathing in The incubation period for the virus is 1-4 days following exposure to the disease. (Average regarding 2 days) infection may have increased in volume. and can spread to others from the first day before symptoms develop until 24-48 hours following infection. After regarding 5-10 days, the amount of infection will decrease until the infection cannot be detected. but in the case of an elderly patient obese patient or patients with low immunity The infection may be detected for weeks to months.
the cause of the flu
influenza virus before it became a disease in humans It is caused by Human Influenza Virus A, B, C. Type C is rare and therefore not mentioned. Starting from influenza A, two major subtypes are found, one is the H1N1 type and the other is H2N3, which continues to cause influenza in humans. The remainder, more than 130 species, will cause disease in animals such as birds, pigs and others. The future is unpredictable when it will be transmitted to humans. From the history of outbreaks in the past, it was found that Influenza A has been a pandemic five times, with the most recent being in 2009. It is well known. The new influenza H1N1 2009 strain, which is still an epidemic continues to this day. Influenza A can mutate little by little. thus being able to evade existing immunity is the source of re-infection. Influenza B is the only strain that exists in humans. There have been no major outbreaks yet, with two strains, the Victoria strain and the Yamagata strain.
flu symptoms
Most of the infected people will have an acute fever. The temperature ranges from 37.8 to as high as 40 degrees Celsius. Patients will feel body aches, dry cough, and may experience additional symptoms such as fatigue, stuffy nose, sore throat, headache. In some young patients, they may experience nausea. Vomiting, diarrhea, which are rare in adult patients. The symptoms and severity of the disease will vary from person to person, for example in elderly patients. older than 65 years or patients with low immunity May be followed by anorexia, fatigue, lack of energy, feeling rocked with mild respiratory symptoms, no fever, but may be lethargic
High-risk groups for influenza complications
- Children under 2 years old
- Elderly people over 65 years old
- pregnant women
- obese person body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2
- People with congenital diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive airway disease heart disease Kidney disease, liver disease, diseasediabetes
- People with impaired immune systems, such as taking immunosuppressive drugs, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a disease that weakens the immune system, such as celiac disease.cancer and HIV infection
influenza diagnosis
If suspected that the patient is likely to be infected with influenza Your doctor will perform a physical exam and check a swab into your nose, or posterior nasal cavity. to confirm the diagnosis After that will go into the treatment process. In general, if a patient whohealthIn good health, the doctor will treat the symptoms accordingly. Support and wait for the body to get rid of the virus completely. This usually takes regarding 3-5 days for patients who are at risk groups as mentioned above. Care must be taken to prevent complications, especially pneumonia. Your doctor may consider giving you antibiotics. If necessary, in the event that on the 2nd to 3rd day the symptoms do not improve, fever, coughing, wheezing indicates a complication of a recurrent bacterial infection. In people at risk group, antiretroviral therapy is required. To reduce the number of viruses that will invade the cells lining the airways within the first 48 hours.
The most important thing for preventing the spread of the influenza virus is no different than preventing contracting COVID-19. that we know very well is that the patient should stay at home keep social distance wearing a mask To reduce the spread of the virus to others, wash your hands, use alcohol gel when coughing or sneezing. Always cover your mouth and nose.
flu prevention
- During the flu epidemic, hygiene is required. and make the body strong Always wash your hands before touching your face. clean eating Also known as hot food, medium spoon, wash your hands by washing your hands with alcohol in the absence of water. Because alcohol can destroy the flu.
- The flu can be prevented with vaccination. Influenza vaccination must be given every year, once a year. For Thailand, vaccination should be given before the rainy season. Around the end of April Until May of every year The virus strains contained in the vaccine are mainly southern hemisphere vaccine strains.
Because in today’s society we would avoid influenza. And COVID-19 is almost impossible because both are diseases that are very close to every reader. Therefore, preventing the risk of infection is the most important thing. In addition to wearing masks and maintaining social distance Don’t forget to get your annual flu vaccine as well. Because getting vaccinated will help relieve a lot of symptoms. If you have a flu infection Or in some cases, the infection is not so much that there may be no symptoms at all. However, I believe that no one would want to be infected with both viruses at the same time, as that might be a health calamity. Therefore, prevention is better than cure.