CHAPTER 7

Influenza or Flu

1. To be able to discuss definition of Influenza

Or flu.
2. To discuss the Signs and Symptoms , Preve
ntive Measures.
3. Identify the types of influenza

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

Influenza,
INFLUENZE FLU

Seasonal influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza

viruses. It is spread through respiratory droplets such as coughing or
sneezing.
Commonly known as "the flu", is an infectious disease caused by
an influenza virus. Symptoms can be mild to severe The most
common symptoms include: high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle and
joint pain, headache, coughing, and feeling tired. These symptoms typically
begin two days after exposure to the virus and most last less than a week. The
cough, however, may last for more than two weeks in children, there may
be diarrhea and vomiting, but these are not common in adults. Diarrhea and
vomiting occur more commonly in gastroenteritis, which is an unrelated disease
and sometimes inaccurately referred to as "stomach flu" or the "24-hour
flu Complications of influenza may include viral pneumonia, secondary bacterial
pneumonia, sinus infections, and worsening of previous health problems such
as asthma or heart failure.
Four Types Of Influenza Viruses Affect Humans:
In virus classification, influenza viruses are RNA viruses that make up four of
the seven genera of the family Orthomyxoviridae:

 Influenza virus A
 Influenza virus B
 Influenza virus C
 Influenza virus D
These viruses are only distantly related to the human par influenza viruses,
which are RNA viruses belonging to the paramyxovirus family that are a common
cause of respiratory infections in children such as croup but can also cause a
disease similar to influenza in adults.
The fourth family of influenza viruses – Influenza D – was identified in 2016 the
type species for this family is Influenza D virus, which was first isolated in 2011.
Influenza virus A
This genus has one species, influenza a virus. Wild aquatic birds are the natural
hosts for a large variety of influenza A Occasionally, viruses are transmitted to
other species and may then cause devastating outbreaks in domestic poultry or
give rise to human influenza pandemics.[53] The influenza a virus can be
subdivided into different serotypes based on the antibody response to these
viruses.[54] The serotypes that have been confirmed in humans are:

Influenza virus B
This genus has one species, influenza B virus. Influenza B almost exclusively
infects humans and is less common than influenza A. The only other animals
known to be susceptible to influenza B infection are seals] and ferrets this type
of influenza mutates at a rate 2–3 times slower than type Aand consequently is
less genetically diverse, with only one influenza B serotype. As a result of this
lack of antigenic diversity, a degree of immunity to influenza B is usually
acquired at an early age. However, influenza B mutates enough that lasting
immunity is not possible. This reduced rate of antigenic change, combined with
its limited host range (inhibiting cross species antigenic shift), ensures that
pandemics of influenza B do not occur
Influenza virus C
This genus has one species, influenza C virus, which infects humans, dogs and
pigs, sometimes causing both severe illness and local epidemics. However,
influenza C is less common than the other types and usually only cause’s mild
disease in children.

Influenza virus D
This genus has only one species, influenza D virus, which infects pigs and cattle.
The virus has the potential to infect humans, although no such cases have been
observed yet
II Sign and Symptoms
Symptoms of influenza can start quite suddenly one to two days after infection.
Usually the first symptoms are chills and body aches, with fever also common
early in the infection, with body temperatures ranging from 38 to 39 °C
(approximately 100 to 103 °F Many people are so ill that they are confined to bed
for several days, with aches and pains throughout their bodies, which are worse
in their backs and legs
Symptoms of influenza

 Fever and chills

 Cough
 Nasal congestion
 Runny nose
 Sore throat
 Hoarseness
 Earache
 Muscle pains
 Fatigue
 Headache
 Irritated, watering eyes
 Reddened eyes, skin (especially face), mouth, throat and nose
 Petechial rash]
 In children, gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea,
and abdominal pain (may be severe in children with influenza B) It can be
difficult to distinguish between the common cold and influenza in the early
stages of these infections. Influenza symptoms are a mixture of symptoms of
common cold and pneumonia, body ache, headache, and fatigue.
 Diarrhea is not usually a symptom of influenza in adults,] although it has
been seen in some human cases of the H5N1 "bird flu"] and can be a symptom
in children the symptoms most reliably seen in influenza are shown in the
adjacent table.
Emergency warning signs

 Shortness of breath
 Chest pain
 Dizziness
 Confusion
 Extreme vomiting
 Flu symptoms that improve but then relapse with a high fever and severe
cough (can be bacterial pneumonia)
 Cyanosis
 High fever and a rash.
 Inability to drink fluids
Signs of dehydration

 (In infants) far fewer wet diapers than usual[42]

 Cannot keep down fluids
 (In infants) no tears when crying

Preventive Measures:

1] Hydrate. Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily and plenty of fluid and
juices.
2] Take enough rest. Sleep at least 8 hours a day.
3] Eat nutritious and Vitamin –rich foods and fruits.
4] Take Vitamin C Supplements
5] Consult a physician if symptoms persist
 CHAPTER WEB VIDEO
LINK

1. https://youtu.be/gAmfI5T7XOM
2. https://youtu.be/GyNyFqWtFyk
3. https://youtu.be/XCdvo5fv-W0
4. https://youtu.be/85R-6O6rrgw
5. https://youtu.be/RvN2upZYBOs

Sonia Gasilla De La Cruz - National

Service Training Program – ROTC
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INFLUENZA