What is influenza?

Influenza is a symptom of the body being infected with the influenza virus that causes the acute respiratory system. Symptoms include sudden high fever, headache, body aches, and fatigue.

flu symptoms

For those who are sick with influenza When symptoms appear, they usually occur immediately and are characterized by a high fever of 38 – 41 degrees Celsius, a feeling of hot and cold, aches and pains in the muscles and various parts of the body, especially in the upper arms, tingling, and thighs. Then there is will have a headache Eye pain when moving When faced with light, tears will flow. Then you will feel tired, lose your appetite, bitter in your throat. You will also have a sore throat, stuffy nose, runny nose, dry cough, tightness in your stomach, nausea, and want to vomit. But in some cases, there may not be a stuffy nose. Or you can catch a cold at all.

In addition, there are other symptoms. Shown as follows

• In cases of severe influenza, there may be symptoms of complications, such as mucus or thick, yellow or green mucus, ear pain, ringing in the ears, and loss of breath. Wheezing, severe coughing, chills, lethargy, dizziness, and/or heart failure.
• Symptoms of influenza appear for about 1 – 7 days, with the most common being 3 – 5 days. Coughing and feeling tired may last for about 1 – 4 weeks, although other symptoms Even though it will subside
• In some patients, after recovering from influenza, they may experience vertigo. This is due to inflammation of the balance organ within the inner ear.

flu symptoms How is it different from the common cold?

In general, the symptoms are quite similar to the common cold. Only there may be more severe symptoms. and lasts longer, such as a high fever and longer, more body aches more tired And it’s often immediate. It is not a gradual onset of symptoms like the common cold.

The flu can last 6-10 days, while the common cold can only last a few days. In addition, influenza carries a higher risk of complications. As a result, sometimes influenza patients may have to stay in the hospital. to watch for symptoms Prevent complications and the spread of the virus This depends on the doctor’s discretion.

Causes of influenza

The cause of influenza is because How about the flu virus ? You read that right! That’s what we call it casually. This influenza virus is a virus called Influenza Virus that is present in the saliva, mucus, and mucus of patients. This สมัคร ufabet type of virus is classified in a group of viruses called Orthomyxovirus 

Strains of influenza

As far as we know, there are many strains of influenza. Can be divided into 2 large species:

1. Influenza type A
2. Influenza type B

Strain C is less virulent. and does not cause an outbreak Therefore, it is not included in the group of influenza.

But for influenza A, it can be divided into many smaller subdivisions as we see in the news, such as A(H1N1), A(H1N2), A(H3N2), A(H5N1) and A(H9N2) according to Different types of viral proteins are called hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) that cause influenza.

The strains of influenza that have spread in the past 20 years and have caused death include influenza A, types H1N1 and H5N1, etc.

Who is at risk of getting the flu?

No matter what gender or age, you can be at risk of getting the flu. If the body’s immune system is not good enough But people are more at risk than others. Those with chronic diseases such as chronic lung disease, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and the elderly.

How is the flu transmitted?

It is transmitted through exposure to the virus through the coughing, sneezing, speaking, and breathing of an infected person. Including saliva from using the same spoon, glass, or even touching things that the patient has touched. After using your hands to cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing.

Normally, influenza viruses are found in a person’s mucus, saliva, and mucus. Transmission may occur through inhalation of mucus droplets that a sick person coughs or sneezes, or may be transmitted by contact. The germs may be stuck on the hands of the patient. Items such as glasses, plates, bowls, handkerchiefs, towels, books, or telephones. In addition, contact depends on the environment. By a normal person when they come into contact with a patient’s hand utensils or an environment contaminated with germs The germs can easily be transmitted to that person’s hands. When you rub your eyes or pick your nose, the germs can enter the body and cause influenza.

Influenza viruses can also be spread through the air. The germs will be stuck in the droplets. When a sick person coughs or sneezes, the germs can spread over long distances and hang in the air for a long time. Then, when a normal person comes to inhale the air containing these droplets, Or these droplets have come into contact with the eye membranes. or oral mucosa without needing to cough or direct inheritance It can cause infection with the influenza virus. This is why influenza can spread so quickly. The maximum period for germs to spread is within the first week of illness.

Complications caused by influenza

The causes of complications caused by influenza are multifactorial. But what is most clearly seen is the different physical conditions. This will cause a risk of developing various diseases according to the condition. Those in the group at risk of complications and are easily infected with other strains of influenza virus are newborns, people over the age of 65. and older, women who are pregnant, those who are undergoing treatment for a long time to those who take care of patients closely and people with low immunity in the body

For patients with chronic illnesses When you are sick with influenza, you are at risk of developing complications while you are sick. There is also a high risk that the influenza virus will intensify the symptoms of existing diseases, such as allergies, diabetes , lung and heart diseases, neuromuscular diseases, etc.

Symptoms of complications found in influenza patients

• Rapid breathing
• have trouble breathing
• Breathe in short bursts
• Unaware
• I can’t wake up.
• no reaction
• Pain or tightness in the chest and abdomen
• Acute dizziness
• feel chilly
• Frequent vomiting
• When symptoms from the flu subside But it will easily come back again.

in pediatric patients Parents must especially observe and watch out for complications such as drinking little water, not being able to eat, skin turning dark, having a fever along with an itchy rash, having allergic reactions that have not appeared before, etc.

Other complications That can occur while sick with influenza include infections in various organs such as ear and sinus infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, myocarditis, pneumonia, heart attack. In addition, there are some complications. Additional diseases found But less common cases include otitis media, tonsillitis, meningitis, sinusitis, febrile seizures, and encephalitis, etc.

Flu treatment

Many people may have known that the common cold is a disease that has no direct cure. You can only treat the symptoms you have, for example, if you have a fever, give fever-reducing medicine. If you have a sore throat, give medicine to relieve it.

The same is true in the case of influenza. Doctors will treat according to symptoms. along with closely monitoring symptoms If you have severe symptoms The doctor then considered using drugs that suppress the multiplication of the virus, namely Amantadine or Rimantadine.

How to prevent influenza

1. You can get the influenza vaccine at general hospitals.
2. Maintain your health and strength at all times. Eat nutritious food Exercise regularly and get enough rest
3. Avoid being near people who have the flu for a while. To prevent the outbreak and spread of the virus from one person to another person
4. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating or picking up food to eat.
5. people with influenza You should wear a mask. or when sneezing or coughing You should use tissue paper to cover your mouth. Then crumpled up and thrown into the trash can. And you should stop studying and working in order to heal quickly. and does not spread the virus to others

At this point, the flu is no longer something to be afraid of. However, don’t be complacent. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk of getting the flu You can get a flu vaccine at a hospital near your home.