Influenza is a viral infection that affects mainly the nose, throat, bronchi and, occasionally, lungs.

Infection usually lasts for about a week, and is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, aching muscles, headache and severe malaise, non-productive cough, sore throat and rhinitis. The virus is transmitted easily from person to person via droplets and small particles produced when infected people cough or sneeze. Influenza tends to spread rapidly in seasonal epidemics.

High-risk groups for conventional flu:

Pregnant women Children younger than 5, and especially children younger than 2 years People 50 years of age and older People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes People with immunosuppression, whether due to illness or medications

People who live in nursing homes and other longterm care facilities

Influenza caused by H. Influenza viruses. Influenza viruses are classified as type A, B, or, C by their nucleoproteins and matrix proteins. Influenza viruses spread from human to human via aerosols created by coughs or sneezes of infected individuals. Influenza virus infection occurs after inhalation of the aerosol by a person who is immunologically susceptible. If not neutralized by secretory antibodies, the virus invades airway and respiratory tract cells.

Typical clinical features of influenza include fever respiratory symptoms such as cough sore throat, runny or stuffy nose headache fatigue nausea vomiting diarrhea Tachycardia Eyes may be red and watery

The criterion standard for diagnosing influenza A and B is a viral culture of nasopharyngeal samples and/or throat samples. Rapid diagnostic tests are available, but because of cost, availability, and sensitivity issues, most physicians diagnose influenza based on clinical criteria alone. Findings of standard laboratory studies such as a complete blood cell count (CBC) and electrolyte levels are nonspecific but helpful in the workup of influenza. Leukopenia and relative lymphopenia are typical findings in influenza. Thrombocytopenia may be present.

Primary influenza pneumonia it is characterized by progressive cough, dyspnea, and cyanosis following the initial presentation. Chest radiographs show bilateral diffuse infiltrative patterns, without consolidation.

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications. Agents include vaccines and antiviral drugs (ie, amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir, zanamivir). The uricosuric agent probenecid may be used as an adjunct to antiviral treatment.

Amantadine Amantadine is active against influenza A virus. It prevents release of infectious viral nucleic acid into the host cell. Rimantadine Rimantadine inhibits viral replication of influenza A virus. Oseltamivir Oseltamivir is effective for the treatment of influenza A or B. It must be administered within 48 hours of symptom onset.

Vaccination Influenza vaccine is indicated for active immunization to prevent infection from influenza A and B viruses. The vaccine induces antibodies specific to virus strains contained in the vaccine. The vaccine provides good protection against immunized strains, becoming effective 10-14 days after administration. Pregnant women and infants who get influenza are at increased risk for severe illness.

In patients without comorbid disease who contract seasonal influenza, the prognosis is very good. However, some patients have a prolonged recovery time and remain weak and fatigued for weeks.

Influenza virus infection, one of the most common infectious diseases, is a highly contagious airborne disease that causes an acute febrile illness and results in variable degrees of systemic symptoms, ranging from mild fatigue to respiratory failure and death. These symptoms contribute to significant loss of workdays, human suffering, mortality, and significant morbidity. The criterion standard for diagnosing influenza A and B is a viral culture of nasopharyngeal samples and/or throat samples. However, the process may require 3-7 days, long after the patient has left the clinic, office, or emergency department and well past the time when drug therapy could be efficacious. As with other diseases, prevention of influenza is the most effective strategy. The most effective prevention is vaccination. The vaccine provides good protection against immunized strains, becoming effective 10-14 days after administration.

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