What is the flu,the disease

Today influenza is one of the most common diseases affecting all age categories. The disease is capable of, besides the common discomfort, sometimes cause complications and sometimes dangerous to health. So let's look at what the flu as there is a viral disease that manifests itself as the flu (flu symptoms a, b, etc.), as well as other issues concerning this disease. So, all about the flu…

Characteristics of the disease

Infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae includes the influenza disease. The size of this virus, on average, is 80 nm. It quickly spreads worldwide in seasonal epidemics, imposing considerable economic burden due to health costs and productivity losses. The main genetic changes in the virus occurred in the 20th century, when there was a 3 epidemic or even pandemic that has swept the world and affected millions of people.

The Latin name of the flu – influenza (in the English language, usually abbreviated to – flu).

Lifestyle

There are 3 basic types of viruses:

1. Influenza a viruses that infect mammals and birds.
2. Flu viruses that infect mainly humans (but, for example, and ferrets).
3. Flu viruses that infect humans and pigs.

Influenza a causes most epidemics and pandemics. This is because these viruses can undergo significant antigenic variations and thus to find new immune target to susceptible people or their modifications fully depreciate immunization from previous infections. Population, tend to be more resistant to viruses B and C, because these types do not have the ability to mutation and recombination, and any antigenic drift is usually negligible. It also leads to the fact that a person with a compromised immune system, usually you can get a virus b or C only one time in my life. The symptoms of influenza and similar to the symptoms of other types of viruses, their intensity depends on the individual susceptibility of the person.

Influenza viruses of type A can be further classified according to viral envelope glycoproteins – hemagglutinin (abbreviated H or HA) and neuraminidase (abbreviated NA or N) is required for the life cycle of the virus. The influenza A was identified 16 subtypes H and 9 subtypes of N in that time, as only 1 subtype H and 1 subtype N was identified for influenza virus type B. currently most common antigenic variants of influenza virus type A are variations of H1N1 and H3N2.

There are other variants of the virus, and therefore its specific stem sections was determined by a standard nomenclature specifying virus type, geographical location of the first appearance, year of isolation, serial number of isolation and HA and NA subtype (e.g., the name "A/Moscow/10/99 (H3N2) or B/Hongkong/330/2001").

How is the flu?

Flu viruses, like many infectious diseases, from person to persondistributed droplets. The disease causes microscopic infectious particles of mucus and saliva that contains a large number of viral particles. With active disease viruses present in large numbers in the secretions of the respiratory tract. Education and the allocation of drops occurs during coughing, sneezing, as well as in normal speech. Droplets together with the ambient air get inhaled through the respiratory tract of other people. The usual modes of transmission of influenza viruses include kissing or even the use of common objects (Cutlery, handkerchiefs).

Viruses attack!

The only goal of a virus is to reproduce. Because they lack their own mechanisms of replication of genetic information, they need to use for this purpose other cells. In order to start reproduction, the virus must first connect to the cage. The binding of viruses with cells of the respiratory tract is mediated by binding of viral hemagglutinin with their receptors on the surface.

For penetration of the virus into the cell uses the ability of cells to "swallow" particles on its surface (called endocytosis). It is action, in which the cell wraps the virus on their own surfaces of cell membranes. In this shell, she then swallows the virus inside. Here comes the dissolution of the protective shell of the virus, due to which it releases its genetic material (RNA). RNA moves to the cell nucleus, where copying happens. Together with the copying of genetic information and begin to form a shell for future viruses. New RNA and other newly formed components migrate to the cell surface, where they form new viruses and leave the cell.

Beneath the surface

The entry of the virus into the cell is one of the major obstacles in its life cycle. The replication of the virus blocks the mechanisms that are necessary for the cell to create its own structures. Their production is greatly reduced or stops completely. The cell gradually die. Moreover, the mere binding of virus with the cell membrane changes its characteristics and functions. Viral proteins are involved in cell surface. The immune system treats mutirama cells as alien. Their protective mechanisms, it attacks and destroys them.

The course and symptoms of influenza caused by local damage to cells in the respiratory tract, and General reaction of the immune system. Reproduction of viruses can cause swelling and damage to the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Time after exposure to the virus to start of symptoms (incubation period) is short. It ranges from 18 to 24 hours.

Symptoms

Due to the short incubation period (18-24 hours), the disease can appear very suddenly and without warning, almost with full health. Despite the fact that the virus enters the body through the mucous membranes of the respiratory system, the first symptoms of flu, surprisingly, are not, neither a rhinitis, nor tussis.

Fever and pain

The disease usually begins with high fever (38-40°C). Fever, usually accompanied by chills. To these symptoms is added a severe headache. The flu is a disease, also manifested by photophobia and a stiff neck. The disease is also often accompanied by pain in joints, muscles, eyes, back and legs. All these attributes plays a significant fatigue. Another possible symptom is nausea, sometimes vomiting, diarrhea, constipation or loss of appetite.

Over the next two days, the disease takes on classic features, presented with symptoms of disorders of the respiratory system. We are talking about the common cold, pain and burning sensation in the throat, dry cough. Cough with changes over time in productive.

Fever, fatigue, headache and muscle pain usually disappear within three or four days. Runny nose and cough persist from a week to ten days. Fatigue and weakness can, in varying degrees, continue for months after the disappearance of major symptoms.

The course of the disease depends on several factors. In terms of which characteristics and to what extent will emerge, the most important point is the age of the patient, his General stability and the presence of other comorbidities.

The usual course of the flu

The disease, as mentioned above, depends on the age of the person, the General resistance of the organism and the presence of any other concomitant disease.

Onset of the disease, 1 day

• high temperature (38-40°C), accompanied by fever and chills,
• added severe headache that is often associated with photophobia and a stiff neck,
• frequent pain in joints, muscles, eyes, back and legs,
• fatigue impedes the performance of normal daily activities,
• another possible symptom is nausea, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea or constipation; usually, the person loses appetite.

The next 1-2 days

At this time there are classic symptoms of respiratory disease:

• fever,
• pain and burning sensation in the throat,
• dry cough.

Further progress of the disease

1. Within 3 or 4 days,as a rule, disappear fever, fatigue, headache and muscle pain,
2. From a week to 10 days stored cold and cough,
3. Within one month after the disappearance of visible symptoms may persist in varying degrees fatigue and weakness.

Prevention

The flu usually occurs in large outbreaks in spring and autumn. Just remember a few simple tips on how to avoid the disease. The only 100% recipe does not exist. However, there are ways to significantly reduce the risk of influenza or at least to mitigate the course of disease.

Limit contact with the virus!

This is the first option. In the period of the high "rampant" flu, avoid staying in the community a large number of people. Do not visit cinemas and theatres. Minimize movement by public transport.

Support the immune system!

Increase the intake of vitamins and liquid. If you can't provide the vitamins with food intake, you can buy over the counter multivitamin preparations. In addition to vitamin C the diet should also contain zinc and selenium. Dress warmly.

Lifestyle

The main prerequisite for effective prevention is a healthier and sturdy body. In this case, the person is much more likely to resist infection than weakened the body. Strengthen the body can help the following steps:

• the prosperity of physical activity,
• stay in a clean environment,
• enough sleep and rest,
• balanced varied diet.

You these tips remind you of mom's teachings? Lacking only "dress warmer" and "wear a hat"? But why look for complex solutions where it is enough to follow simple but effective tips?

Vaccination

A good way to prevent influenza is vaccination. It is held annually before the start of viral infections in autumn months. To protect against the disease it can in 6-12 months. However, even the vaccination is not always effective. The principle of vaccination lies in assessing which of the many strains will be most prevalent in a given year. In case of unexpected changes (mutations) can be vulnerable and vaccinated people. Nevertheless, vaccination is one of the most effective ways of protection. To get vaccinated should, in particular, representatives of risk groups (see below).

Who is most vulnerable?

Some people are susceptible to the disease and its possible complications more than others. These people make up the so-called risk groups. In the case of influenza, the majority of patients belong to the group formed by the two extremes of the age range. This means that at risk are mainly people older than 65 years and, on the contrary, young children under the age of 12 months.

The disease poses a greater risk to the person suffering from lingering illness such as, heart, lungs and the entire respiratory system.

Risk group

1. Adults over 50, especially over 65 years.
2. Persons with a weakened immune system (HIV positive, recipients of organ transplants, those with chronic immunosuppression).
3. People with chronic lung diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis).
4. People with chronic kidney disease or liver.
5. People with chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system.
6. People with diabetes mellitus.
7. Patients undergoing long-term treatment.
8. Medical worker.
9. Workers of social institutions.

Treatment

Causal therapy

Causal therapy in the body acts directly against flu viruses. Active substances are called antiviral. Today, there are only a limited number of antivirals. The most effective drugs against influenza are agents endowed with the ability to contact the virus and lock its surface molecules (neuraminidase inhibitors).

Antiviral drug

It is the first known medicines against influenza. They are effective only against influenza A virus and should be introduced as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms within 48 hours. These drugs prevent the replication of the virus inside the cell and release its genetic information (limitation of the activity of the M1 protein shell of the virus).

Neuraminidase inhibitor

These drugs belong to a new generation of antiviral drugs. Drugs of this group prevent the penetration of the virus into the cells or, conversely, exit from cells (blocking the viral neuraminidase). As in the case of the older generations of antiviral drugs, treatment needs to start within 48 hours after the first symptoms.

Antibiotics – NO!

Influenza is a viral disease, so antibiotics are ineffective against him. These drugs act exclusively against bacteria. They have no effect on the flu virus or any other. Antibiotics are prescribed only in cases when the original virus disease complicated by bacterial infections.

Symptomatic therapy

The suppression of individual symptoms of the disease targeted by these drugs:

Temperature and pain

Basicthe groups of medications used in the treatment are analgesics and antipyretics. Their role is important at the moment when the body temperature measured at the axilla exceeds 38°C, people suffering from headaches, pains in joints and muscles. The most widely used 3 types of drugs: acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Cough

Usually, use of OTC medications. They are offered in the form of drops, syrups, tablets, soluble powders in sachets or effervescent tablets.

If you do not know which type of drug to use, consult your doctor.

Rhinitis

In the case of a stuffy nose apply nasal drops or aerosols. The most recommended are products containing sea water.