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INFLUENZA Recently, the Emergency Department has seen a slight increase in the number of people with the flu. Because we have seen several cases of Influenza B this year, let’s look more closely at this specific disease. What is the flu? It is important to remember that the flu is influenza, an upper respiratory illness. This is not a gastrointestinal or stomach illness, despite the fact that most people refer to stomach ailments in the same manner. Influenza is caused by the A or B virus, which is usually more prevalent from late fall to early spring. Symptoms include a dry cough, sore throat, high fever and generalized aches and pains. Symptoms may last for up to a week and the patient may feel exhausted throughout the course of the illness. Diagnosis is made based upon symptoms and confirmation with a nasal swab – the test is quick and painless. The lab can also confirm the diagnosis before the patient has completed his or her visit with the health care professional. Treatment for both Influenza A and B is the same. The best you can do is rest, control the fever with acetaminophen, and consume plenty of fluids. Young children and the elderly are at greatest risk for complications with this respiratory illness. If symptoms are severe, seek medical advice from a health professional. An antiviral medication, Tamiflu, can sometimes be administered to shorten the length of the illness. However, Tamiflu must be given very early in the disease process in order to be effective. How is Influenza B different from Influenza A? The symptoms of both viruses are so similar that a physical examination by a health professional cannot determine which virus a person has – a nasal swab is necessary. The Influenza B virus does not mutate as quickly as Influenza A, which means there are fewer strains. Health officials determine which strain of flu shot to administer each year based upon studies of current disease patterns and predicted risks for spreading. Children seem to be at greater risk for becoming symptomatic when infected with Influenza B; however, the course of the illness is a little less aggressive and has a shorter recovery time than Influenza A. In addition, adults seem to suffer less when infected with Influenza B. Prevention. Remember, both types of Influenza are contagious. The best prevention is thorough hand washing and good general hygiene. Flu shots are also an excellent means of protection, but the shot must be given prior to one being infected. |
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