Don't Turn Blind Eye to Influenza in Winter

By Dr. Magdy Badran 

CAIRO, Dec. 7 (SEE) - Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness, it is caused by a virus that attacks mainly the nose, throat, and bronchi and rarely also the lungs.

There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C. Type A and B cause the annual influenza epidemics that infect up to 20% of the population. Type C also causes influenza, but the symptoms are much less severe.

Influenza season peaks in the winter, you can get influenza in the fall and spring, too. It rapidly spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics and imposes a considerable economic burden in the form of hospital and other health care costs and lost productivity. It results in between three and five million cases of severe illness.

It kills more people than dreaded diseases like Ebola, it causes around ‪250 000‬ to ‪500 000‬ deaths annually around the world.

Influenza viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with an influenza cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person can get the infection by touching a surface or object that has influenza virus on it and then touching his own mouth, nose or eyes.

The time from when a person is exposed and infected with influenza to when symptoms begin is about 2 days but can range from about 1 to 4 days.

Symptoms of influenza include fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, chills, body aches, and fatigue. Children may have vomiting and diarrhea.

You can infect someone with the virus one day before your symptoms start. Patients are contagious within the first three to four days of the illness, although they may remain contagious for up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others with influenza viruses for an even longer time.

Some people who get the influenza recover without complications in about one to two weeks. Complications are more likely to occur in those over the age of 65, children, pregnant women, and people who have a weakened immune system. Sinus and ear infections are examples of moderate complications from influenza.

The influenza virus can also worsen chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma, and diabetes, and can lead to heart attacks and stroke. Some influenza-related complications are life-threatening as pneumonia and sepsis. Up to 85% of seasonal influenza-related deaths occur in people who are 65 or older.

To keep yourself safe this influenza season, avoid large crowds, limit contact with people during influenza season, avoid touching your nose, mouth, or eyes, keep your distance from anyone who is coughing, or sneezing and wash your hands with warm soapy water regularly. If you have a weaker immune system, wear a face mask whenever you’re in a public place during the influenza season.

Strengthening your immune system by sleeping 8 hours per night. Also, maintain a regular physical exercise, at least 30 minutes, three times a week. Eat a healthy, nutrient-rich diet full of a variety of fruits and vegetables, which are full of vitamins and antioxidants. Reduce your intake of processed foods as much as possible.

Certain foods can support your immune system against influenza virus as garlic, onions, and mushrooms. Do not forget herbs and spices as hot peppers, turmeric, rosemary, oregano, and thyme.

Clean and disinfect surfaces, if an object is used by multiple people, such as a phone or doorknob, regular cleaning can help prevent the spread of the influenza virus.

The influenza virus can live outside of a body from between a few seconds to 48 hours. How long it lives on objects depends on the strain, the surface contaminated, humidity and temperature. It can also survive as droplets in the air for several hours; low temperatures increase their survival in the air.

It can survive for about one hour on the hands, 8 to 12 hours on porous surfaces and one to two days on nonporous surfaces such as plastic, glass, metal or wood. The virus does not seem to pass easily between fabrics or paper.

There’s no cure for influenza. If an antiviral medication is taken within the first 48 hours of symptoms, it may shorten the duration of influenza and reduce the severity of symptoms and complications.

Vaccination is the principal measure for preventing influenza and reducing the impact of epidemics. It is recommended that elderly persons, and persons of any age who are considered at “high risk” for influenza-related complications due to underlying health conditions, should be vaccinated.