The influenza virus causes one of the world's most serious respiratory illnesses. It is potentially fatal and infects humans in the tens of millions each year.

What is Influenza?

Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. Influenza viruses are often divided into three types: A, B and C. Type A is a constantly changing virus that is generally responsible for the large outbreaks. New strains of Type A virus develop regularly, with outbreaks occurring in most years. Type B outbreaks occur at intervals of several years, while Type C is considered relatively insignificant.

How is it Spread?

Influenza virus in humans is spread from infected people through coughing and sneezing. These viruses contaminate the air, hands and surfaces of our environment. The incubation period is very short (from 1 to 4 days) and 15% to 40% of the population can become infected in a year.

Sick people "shed" the virus and are contagious for about a week. Immuno-compromised people (cancer, AIDS, transplant, immune suppressed) can easily contract influenza and shed the virus for 2-3 weeks, due to their weakened immune system.

School age children are usually the first to become ill in each community and are the primary source of contagion since they shed for 7 to 10 days. With little or no exposure to influenza, children have less immunity and tend to experience more severe forms of the flu.

Symptoms

• Fever. Over 37.8 C for 3-5 days. Fever is generally higher in the afternoons and evenings, with some decrease in the mornings. Fever typically runs higher in children and can be over 40 C.
• Cough. A major symptom of influenza, the cough starts as dry and hacking and progresses by the third day to wet with thick mucous. It can worsen for the next 4 to 7 days and last for over 2 weeks. Children's cough can be croupy and serious. Smokers are at risk for significant bronchitis and pneumonia.
• Headaches and myalgia (muscle aches) can be severe for the first few days and slowly improve.
• Fatigue. Common and severe, lasting for 1 to 3 days.
• Sore throat. Most common in older children and adults. It can be severe for the first few days.
• Red eyes. Can last for 3 to 4 days and
• Nasal congestion. Can last for 1 to 2 weeks.

Prevention

Much of the illness and death caused by influenza can be prevented by annual influenza vaccination (flu shot). The vaccine must be given every year and is specifically recommended for people at high risk for developing serious complications as a result of influenza infection, including:

• All people aged 65 years and older
• People of any age with chronic diseases of the heart, lung, or kidneys, diabetes, immunosuppression (AIDS, cancer), or severe forms of anemia.
• Residents of long term care facilities housing persons with chronic medical conditions.
• Children and teenagers receiving long term aspiring therapy and who may be at risk for developing Reye's syndrome.

  The influenza vaccine is also recommended for people in close or frequent contact with anyone in the high risk groups defined above, including healthcare personnel, volunteers who work with high risk patients, and people who live in a household with a high-risk person.

  Influenza and bacterial infections may weaken the body, leaving the body open to other complications, such as bacterial pneumonia. High risk people should also receive the pneumonia vaccine.

  Other steps for avoiding influenza include common sense actions such as frequent hand washing, particularly before cooking and after blowing your nose. This also helps prevent spreading the flu to other people.

  General Treatment

  • Give only non-aspirin medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever, muscles aches and headaches.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to prevent secretions from getting thick, which can intensify breathing problems.
  • Rest to help your body fight the infection.
  • Antiviral medicines can be used.
  • Antibiotics are absolutely not useful for preventing or treating influenza. They are only used for bacterial complications after the initial phase is over.

  Antiviral Treatments.

  An exciting new class of drugs is just now becoming available for the treatment of influenza. These drugs, called neuraminidase inhibitors, help stop influenza virus replication and are active against Influenza Types A and B. Zanamivir (Relenza), for inhalation, was the first of these new drugs to be approved. It has been shown to shorten the duration of flu symptoms if given within 48 hours of symptom onset. Relenza is administered with the help of a special inhaler and is approved for use in people 12 years of age and older. Another drug in this class is oseltamivir (Tamiflu) has, like Relenza, been shown to shorten the duration of flu symptoms if taken within 48 hours of symptom onset. It is taken orally and is available in capsule form. It is important to see your doctor at the first sign of flu symptoms to receive effective treatment from these drugs. Studies that may prove these medications can also prevent the onset of influenza are currently underway.

  Amantadine (Symmetrel) is one drug that can be used for preventing the flu and is also effective in treating Influenza Type A. Amantadine can reduce the severity and shorten the duration of Influenza A when administered within 48 hours of symptom onset. Amantadine can be used to treat anyone over the age of one year. Amantadine's use has been limited by its lack of activity against influenza B, rapid emergence of resistance and central nervous system side effects such as dizziness and confusion.

  Contact Your Health Care Provider If:

  • Your fever comes back after it has been gone 1-2 days or if you still have high fever after 4 or 5 days.
  • Your cough becomes wheezy or rapid, you are having trouble breathing, or you are coughing up bloody or yellow-green mucous.
  • You have any chronic illness (heart or lung trouble, asthma, cancer, immune system compromise, diabetes, kidney, blood cell problems), which puts you at greater risk for complications.
  • You have any of the following: severe confusion, seizures/convulsions, loss of consciousness, spasms, bleeding, heart irregularity, ear pain or prolonged headache.

  Note: If you smoke, you are at greater risk for complications and should contact your doctor if you experience any change in your condition.

  Compiled by Tom Danforth
  Armstrong Pharmacy, Armstrong, B.C.
  Edited by Megan Stiles
  Last Reviewed: September 2001







Pharmacy: (604) 872-2662   Fax: (604) 876-0242 Home Health Care: (604) 872-5496   Home Health Care Toll Free: 1-866-631-1899  Lab: (604) 872-4200    Lab Toll Free: 1-866-261-4166

Home | Background | Services | Medical Supplies | Lymphedema Treatment 
  Diabetes Care Center | Health Library & Links | Contact Us
Copyright © 1997 - 2005  Macdonald's Prescriptions Ltd.

Duly licensed in British Columbia with the College of Pharmacists in B.C.
 Pharmacy license #12535   Lab license #8775

Website built by:
NeosonicDesign.com
&
Deejays.com