Influenza

Influenza is most commonly known as the flu, which is an infection resulting from a virus. The flu virus infects the respiratory tract. In addition it is an air-born disease, spreading from one person to another, through the air or via physical contact.

The most common symptoms of a flu infection are fever, chills, dry cough, headache, sore throat, runny nose, and chest discomfort. The flu virus serves to weaken the immune system. Sufferers will generally seek influenza treatment after these flu symptoms become visible.

There are many different influenza viruses, the two known types that cause major sickness in humans are types A and B. Both strains cause varying levels of illness, although strain A is generally known to be more virulent. The two most serious strains of influenza have been avain bird flu (H5N1) and swine flu (H1N1). Both of these strains can be prevented and treated with anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza.

What are the causes of Influenza?

People will find themselves susceptible to the flu as a result of seasonal changes, as the weather becomes colder. The virus becomes airborne thus the chances of the virus spreading increases.

There are three types of viruses – A, B and C. Of these, type C is a very benign virus and is seldom known to cause any major concern in terms of symptoms or epidemics. The other two major strains – type A and B are generally the focus of all efforts to control influenza as these are responsible for the seasonal flu epidemics.

Anybody infected with the virus, is advised to attend a medical consultation with their doctor in order to identify any possible causes and treatments. Suitable medication must be administered within 48 hours of the first sign of symptoms. In the majority of cases, the influenza infection will last for a minimum of one week. However, if treatment is delayed, the virus is less likely to subside.

The latest and perhaps most deadly strain of influenza is the avian bird flu virus. First observed amongst wild fowl in 2003, avian influenza has quickly spread to poultry birds, resulting in several cases of human infection and death. The virus is the result of strains of the H5N1 virus. However, authorities believe that any mutation of the virus may lead to a deadly epidemic.

Particular of H5N1 virus will weaken the immune system in the body, often resulting in fatality. The severity of the Avian bird flu virus has forced the world health watch body, WHO (World Health Organization), to approve the use of Tamiflu worldwide for bird flu prevention or any pandemic situations.

Influenza Treatment

The first step will be to consult your doctor, who will be able to prescribe the most appropriate course of treatment after revising your details.

Anybody who has been prescribed Tamiflu for the treatment of influenza must follow the doctor’s instructions before medication is administered. Children over the age of a year old or above can also take this treatment, which is also available in fruit flavoured suspension.

Get more information about Tamiflu.