What is the Influenza? Influenza is a viral disease that is endemic throughout the world and often become epidemic in many countries. The cause of influenza is influenza virus type A, B and C, a virus that has a size of 200 nm virion sheath. Influenza viruses include Orthomyxoviridae family.
The spread of influenza, influenza A viruses often cause epidemic repeated every 2-4 years. Influenza virus type B and C only causes sporadic epidemics in certain areas only. Influenza epidemics occur suddenly, spread rapidly and reached a peak within 3 months. After that the epidemic will end soon. Areas with dense populations, especially children is a major predisposing the occurrence of influenza epidemics. In the elderly, influenza is often followed by a secondary infection, such as pneumonia bakteril.
Clinical symptoms of influenza
After an incubation period of 1-2 days, common symptoms and complaints that do not typically occur in the form of general malaise, systemic catarrhal system, fever, chills, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea, headache, myalgia and sore throat. Patient endurance and secondary infection affects the severity of influenza.
Influenza complications such as secondary infections with bacteria Staphyllococcus bakteril aureus, Haemophyllus influenzae and pneumococcus can cause otitis, sinusitis, mastoiditis, bronchiolitis, bronkopneumoni, myocarditis and pericarditis.
Diagnosis of influenza, Because the clinical symptoms are not typical, a definite diagnosis of influenza confirmed by laboratory tests, namely: Isolation of the virus. Patients with infective material that throat swabs (until the 4th day of illness) were cultured in tissue culture or embryo eggs, Serological examination. To determine the presence of antibodies that specifically performed complement fixation test or hemagglutination inhibition test, Blood tests. Blood showed leukocytosis picture in case of complications or secondary infection.
Treatment of influenza, Patients should rest in bed and getting enough fluids and low-fat diet. Symptomatic treatment is given to reduce fever, relieve cough, headache and muscle aches. If secondary infection occurs pursuant antibiotics can be given. Preventive therapy using antibiotics can be given to patients with influenza who are susceptible to secondary infections, namely the elderly, people with impaired immune systems or who are in long-term corticosteroid treatment.
Prevention of influenza, Vaccination. Vaccination is done by providing a polyvalent vaccine containing influenza virus type A and type B are attenuated. People who are allergic to egg protein should not be vaccinated.
Elderly patients can be given amantadine (Symmetrel) as a preventive therapy against influenza.
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