The Flu
Influenza is a contagious viral illness caused by the influenza virus that can affect the upper respiratory tract or lungs. This disease is an important health problem as it causes epidemics and even deaths every year, especially during winter months.
Influenza Virus
Influenza virus is divided into types A, B and C. Influenza A and B viruses cause annual seasonal flu, while influenza C virus causes smaller and milder infections. Influenza A virus is the most common influenza virus, causing influenza in both humans and animals. Influenza A virus is also divided into subtypes according to the proteins found on the cell surface. The most common of these are the swine flu agent H1N1, the avian flu agents H5N1 and H7N9, and the standard seasonal flu agent H3N2.
What is swine flu (H1N1)?
Influenza type A/H1N1 virus first appeared in North America in 2009 and caused a pandemic, which caused a large-scale intercontinental epidemic that year. However, approximately 1.5 years later, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that this pandemic has ended. It was the biggest pandemic of the last 40 years and caused a great fear in the world due to the uncertainty at that time. However, A/H1N1 appears every year as an annual seasonal flu agent.
SHOULD WE BE AFRAID OF SWINE FLU?
After the 2009 pandemic, it lost its importance to a large extent. It is no longer important, except that it is only a subtype of the flu, which is seen every year in the winter months.
Symptoms of the flu
Influenza symptoms include fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, shortness of breath, feeling tired, runny or full nose, sneezing and sore throat.
The course and contagiousness of the flu
After the virus enters the body through the respiratory tract, complaints of illness begin approximately 1-4 days, an average of 2 days. In uncomplicated (additional illness) flu, the duration of illness lasts 3-7 days, but cough and muscle pain can last up to 2 weeks.
Should we use antibiotics for colds, and the flu?
No. Since the causative agents of these diseases are viruses, antibiotics have no effect on the treatment. However, antibiotics are often used by the patients themselves, without consulting a doctor or due to misdiagnosis.
However, if complications (sinusitis, otitis, pneumonia) develop during influenza illness, antibiotic treatment must be started. For this reason, if the disease progresses, it is absolutely necessary to consult a doctor.
Should I get the flu shot? Will I get the flu again?
The flu vaccine prepared every year is prepared according to the circulating influenza subtypes of the previous year. The flu vaccine in our country also provides immunization against A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and influenza B. However, it should be kept in mind that since this virus mutates rapidly, diseases can occur from these influenza subtypes. It has been shown in studies conducted in the world that it alleviates the course of the disease and reduces the death rate in the specific patient group. A flu vaccine protects a healthy person for about a year, so it needs to be repeated every year. However, people with egg allergies should not be vaccinated.
According to the recommendation of the World Health Organization, everyone aged 6 months and older should be vaccinated. However, people in the risk group should be given priority. Persons in the risk group;
-50 years old and above,
-People of all ages staying in a nursing home or in a health care unit with chronic care,
-Chronic lung and heart patients,
-Children aged 6 months to 18 years given long-term aspirin therapy,
– Those with chronic kidney disease,
– Those with diabetes,
-Patients with immunodeficiency or suppression (cancer patients, AIDS patients, organ transplant recipients, steroids, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
-Pregnant women
– Doctors, nurses and other staff working in the hospital,
– Those who work in nursing homes and health units providing chronic care,
– Those who live in the same house with high-risk people (organ transplant patients, etc.).
When is the vaccination season? If it has passed, should I still do it?
The flu vaccine is recommended in October each year. However, if you have not been vaccinated, we recommend that you get vaccinated as soon as possible. It starts to protect against the disease within 14 days after vaccination.
Is there treatment for the flu?
Yes, there is treatment available. However, only people in the risk group are treated. Treatment should be started immediately for those over 65 years of age, with chronic diseases (asthma, heart disease and diabetes) or who are pregnant due to high risk. If you are over 65 years old or have an additional disease, you should consult your doctor for treatment.
How can I prevent getting the flu ?
With some precautions, the circulation of the virus in the community can be limited. For example, avoiding close contact with the sick person (kissing, shaking hands), covering the mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, staying away from crowded environments, not going to school or workplace in case of illness, washing hands frequently with soap and water, not touching the face with hands can be shown.
Three precautionary measures against the flu!
- Get vaccinated (the most effective way of protection).
- Develop habits that will prevent the transmission of the virus.
In case of illness, consult your doctor.
Dr. Emre Y. VUDALI Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist
Please contact our Nicosia or Kyrenia branch to have your test done in Northern Cyprus.