Influenza

What is Influenza?

Influenza commonly known as flu is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by a virus. The influenza virus infects the respiratory tract of animals, birds, and humans. The infection results in cough, fever, headache, and malaise, some may present with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sore throat and diarrhea.

What are the causes of influenza?

Influenza is caused by the influenza virus that is divided into three types: A, B, and C.
Type A and B cause epidemics of respiratory illness in almost every winter.
Type C causes mild respiratory symptoms or no symptoms. Influenza virus spreads easily from person to person.

When does influenza season begin and end?

Influenza season begins in October and extends to May of the following year.

What is the incubation period for influenza?

The incubation period of influenza is one to four days.

How long is influenza contagious, and how long does it last?

It is contagious for about 24-48 hours before symptoms appear. In normal healthy adults, it is contagious for another five to seven days and in children for about seven to 10 days.

In adults, symptoms usually last for about five to seven days, but in children, the symptoms may last longer for about seven to 10 days.

How can you get influenza?

It is highly contagious and spreads by:

– Person to person both directly and indirectly.
– Droplets contaminated with the virus produced by coughing, sneezing, or even talking
– Contaminated utensils, dishes, clothing, or almost any surface

What are the risk factors of Influenza?

-young children or babies
-Adults over the age of 65
-People who live in or work in nursing homes or military barracks
-Weakened immune system or Chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes or heart problems
-Steroid intake or undergoing treatment for cancer
-Pregnancy
-Obesity

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Influenza?

• Symptoms are similar to a common cold or acute bronchitis.
• Aching in limbs and back.
• Sudden fever with chill.
• Headache, lethargy.
• Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pains may present in some patients
• The tongue is furred. Appetite is lost.
• Great prostration.
• Sore throat.
• Running or stuffy nose.

In severe cases:

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Severe headache
• Difficulty in breathing
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Dehydration
• Severe vomiting.

How is Influenza diagnosed?

-Physical examination
-Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests

What are the lifestyle changes for influenza?

• Bed Rest. It should continue even after recovery.
• Protection from a draught of air is necessary to prevent pneumonia. The room must be well ventilated.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Diet should include hot milk, fruit juice, nourishing soup.
• Regular bathing should be avoided to protest against the chill.
• Avoid drinking and smoking.

How to control the spread of influenza?

-The patient should be isolated.
-Excretions should be incinerated to avoid droplet infection.
-Wash your hands.

How to prevent influenza?

-Annual influenza vaccination

-There are two types of vaccinations:

•The flu shot
•The nasal-spray flu vaccine

What is the Prognosis of Influenza?

• Patient recovers in 1-2 weeks.
• Prognosis is bad in chronically ill, old and weak patients.
• Influenza can worsen chronic health conditions.

What are the Complications of Influenza?

• Pneumonia
• Pleurisy
• Otitis media
• Meningitis Influenza

What is the Homeopathic Treatment for Influenza?

-Arsenicum
-Baptisia
-Eupatorium Perfoliatum
-Rhus tox
-Belladonna
-Ferrum phos
-Gelsemium
-Aconite
-Nux Vomica