Influenza (flu)
Influenza, commonly known as the "flu" is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. It affects all
Ages, although children tend to get more often than adults.
In the United States, flu season runs from October to May, with most cases, between late December and early
March.
Signs and symptoms
The flu is often confused with common cold, but flu symptoms are usually more severe than the typical sneezing and
Stuffiness of a cold.
Symptoms usually begin about 2 days after exposure to the virus, which include:
Fever
Chills
Headaches
Muscle pain
Dizziness
Loss of appetite
Tiredness
cough
Sore throat
runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Weakness
Earache
Failure
Infants also appear with the flu may "not look right." By a sudden or just fussy all
Time
After 5 days, fever and other symptoms have usually disappeared, but a cough and weakness may continue.
All the symptoms are usually within a week or two away. However, it is important to treat influenza serious because it can
lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening complications, particularly in young children, the elderly and people with
long-term health problems.
Contagiousness
The flu is contagious, spread by virus-infected droplets coughed or sneezed into the air. People who are
Infected are contagious from one day before they have sick until their symptoms feel finished (about 1 week for adults, but
this may be more for young children).
The flu usually occurs in small outbreaks, epidemics, however - if the disease spreads rapidly and affects many people in
an area at the same time - tend to occur every few years. Epidemics often within 2 or 3 weeks after the first cases highlight
. occur
If an epidemic spreads around the world, it is called a pandemic. The recent influenza pandemic occurred in 2009, with the H1N1
("Swine flu") influenza.
The flu vaccine
Routine annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months old and older. It is usually offered between
September and mid-November, but can be given at other times of the year.
The vaccine protects against infection by the influenza virus, the researchers predict the next most frequently
Year. While the vaccine does not completely guarantee against ill, someone who has been vaccinated and is still
the flu have fewer and milder symptoms.
Flu vaccines are as shot or nasal mist:
Since the injection contains killed flu vaccination flu viruses that do not cause the flu, but the body is to prepare
Fight off infection by this particular type of live flu virus if someone comes into contact with him.
The nasal mist contains weakened live flu viruses that do not cause severe symptoms can usually associated with the
Flu, but can cause some mild symptoms. As a result, people with weakened immune systems or certain health conditions
should not the nasal mist vaccine. It is old only for healthy, non-pregnant persons 2-49 years.
When & Where to Get It
People who got the vaccine one year are not dependent on the protected the next flu, because the protection wears off and
Flu viruses change constantly. That is why the vaccine is updated annually to reflect the current strains of the include
Virus.
So to have the best protection against the flu, it is important to get the vaccine every year.
The seasonal flu vaccine will be available in the autumn. It is given to places such as hospitals, clinics, community centers,
Pharmacies, doctors' offices and schools. Many children receive the flu vaccine at school.
Children under 9 years old, who are always the flu vaccination for the first time get two separate shots at least a month
apart. Those under 9 who get the flu vaccine before may still need two doses, if they do not at least with
two vaccines since July 2010, or if the number of shots that they have received since July 2010, is unknown. This is to ensure
that all children are vaccinated against the H1N1 flu strain that emerged in 2009. Children older than 9 years old need only
one dose of the vaccine.
It can take about 2 weeks after admission for the body to build up protection of the flu. Getting the shot before the flu
Season is in full force gives the body a chance to build up immunity or protection against the virus. Although you can
get a flu shot in flu season, it is best to try to get it sooner rather than later. But even as late as
January, there are still a few months left in the flu season, so it's still a good idea to get the protection.
If you are traveling outside the country, you should check with your doctor, because the flu season may be in
other countries. If you are traveling to a place with flu activity, make sure you are vaccinated at least 2 weeks before
. traveling
Possible Side Effects
While very few people get side effects from the seasonal flu vaccine, those who do have pain or swelling at the
Injection site or mild side effects, such as headache or low-grade fever.
Some people may also develop the nasal spray vaccine mild flu-like symptoms, including runny nose, headache,
Vomiting, muscle pain and fever.
Although these side effects for a day or so might take, flu viruses can potentially cause someone sick for weeks and
health problems that require hospitalization, especially in young children or people with chronic diseases could. Than
Result, the doctors believe that the benefits of getting the flu vaccine outweigh the possible risks.
Who considered high risk?
Although flu vaccine for all ages 6 months or older, recommended in times when the vaccine is in short supply,
some people need it more than others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is often recommended that
certain high-risk groups will be given priority when flu shot supplies are limited. Call your doctor or local public health
Department about vaccine availability in your area.
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC recommend that
are priority for receiving the flu shot times - certain high-risk groups - and in close contact with them
the defect:
All children from 6 months to 4 years
anyone 65 years and older
Women who will be pregnant during the flu season
anyone whose immune system is weakened by medications or disease weakened (such as HIV infection)
Residents of long-term care facilities such as nursing homes
any adults or children with chronic diseases such as asthma
Children or young people who regularly take aspirin are at risk for developing Reye syndrome if they get the flu
Have health care personnel who have direct contact with patients
Caregivers and household contacts of anyone in a high-risk group (such as children younger than 6 months)
Native Americans and Alaska Natives
Certain circumstances would from a person to prevent the flu shot. If your child falls into any of the following groups,
talk to your doctor if a flu shot is recommended:
Infants less than 6 months old
who again is a severe reaction to a flu vaccination
anyone with Guillain-Barre syndrome (a rare disease that affects the immune system and nerves)
In the past, it was recommended that everyone with an egg allergy talk to a doctor about whether the receipt of the influenza vaccine
was safe because it is grown inside eggs. But now health experts say that the amount of the allergen egg in the vaccine is
tiny that it (but not the nasal mist) is safe even for children with severe egg allergy. This is particularly important
during a severe flu season, as the current, which started earlier and was much worse than in previous years.
Nevertheless, if your child has an egg allergy, he or she should get the flu shot at a doctor's office, not in a supermarket,
Pharmacy or other venue. And if the allergy is strong, it might need to be placed in an allergist office.
If your child is sick and has a fever, talk to your doctor about rescheduling the flu shot.
Preventing the spread of flu
There is no guaranteed way - including vaccination - so that no one can prevent the flu. Avoid large crowds
can help, but it is often impossible to keep children cooped up.
Here are some practical ways to prevent the spread of the flu:
Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap, especially after using the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing, and
before eating.
Never put used tissues.
Never share cups and utensils.
Stay home from work or school if you are sick with the flu.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then put it in the trash. If a woven fabric is available,
Cough or sneeze into your upper arm, not into your hands.
Treatment
Cases of the flu rarely require specific medical treatment. But some children with chronic diseases (such as
Asthma, diabetes and HIV) or children under 2 years old could be ill with the flu and may have a higher risk
Complications. Some children need to be admitted to the hospital with flu.
For a seriously ill child or other special circumstances, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication that can
reduce the duration of illness of 1-2 days and prevents possible complications of the flu. This drug can only be
useful if it is given within 48 hours of the onset of the flu. Most healthy people who do not need the flu to take a
antiviral drugs. If an antiviral medication is prescribed, be sure to discuss potential side effects with your
Doctor.
These at-home tips can help you meet most otherwise healthy children with the flu. Let them:
Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
get plenty of sleep and take it easy
Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to fever and pain (do not give aspirin to children or teenagers to relieve, as it lead to, a
rare but serious illness called Reye's syndrome)
Wear layers since the flu often makes them cold one minute and hot the next (wearing layers - like a T-shirt,
Sweatshirt, and robe - makes it easy to add or subtract clothes as needed)
Children who are sick should stay home from school and child care until they are without fever for 24 hours without
the use of a fever-reducing medicine. Some have longer home, depending on how they feel. If you
Address issues or concerns with your doctor.
When to call the doctor
Call the doctor if your child:
has flu symptoms
has a high fever or fever with a rash
has difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
has bluish skin color
not drinking enough fluids
seems very tired or lethargic
seems confused
has flu symptoms get better but then worse
In most cases, however, the flu is usually gone in a week or two with a little rest and loving care.