Influenza or flu is a common viral illness that occurs mostly in the fall or winter in Europe. Influenza should not be confused with influenza infections or gastrointestinal flu.
What is influenza?
The influenza virus can cause influenza, or the flu. In humans, illnesses caused by influenza viruses occur worldwide. In Europe, the main infection seasons are in October/November and February/March. Influenza is caused by influenza viruses. They attack the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, thus enabling the penetration of bacteria or other substances that trigger an infection. Flu epidemics often occur especially during the main flu season, which is between December and April in the northern hemisphere, because influenza is very contagious. Annually, about ten to twenty percent of the population contracts influenza. Occasionally, global epidemics or pandemics occur, such as avian flu or swine flu.
Causes
The triggers for influenza are the influenza viruses, which are transmitted from person to person via droplet infection, that is, by sneezing or coughing. Already in the incubation period, the time between the infection and the outbreak of the disease, the sick person can infect other people. In the case of influenza, a distinction is generally made between three different types of influenza:
Influenza A virus is the most common pathogen. Due to its ability to make small genetic changes, flu epidemics occur from year to year. Due to these changes, there is no endogenous defense against the influenza A virus. The influenza B virus is the flu virus that mainly affects children and adolescents. However, its course is much milder than that of the influenza A virus. The influenza C virus occurs only very rarely, especially in older people who no longer have a strong immune system.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Influenza goes unnoticed in about 80 percent of cases or manifests itself only as mild cold symptoms that quickly subside. In the remaining cases, influenza infection causes serious symptoms and discomfort. The typical signs of influenza usually appear suddenly and after only one or two days. At the beginning there is a slight chill and an increasing feeling of illness. This can be accompanied by a sore throat, dry cough, watery eyes and high fever. Nausea and vomiting as well as headaches and aching limbs are also typical symptoms. Sufferers also feel tired and listless, and their physical and mental performance is impaired. If the disease progresses well, the symptoms subside within a few days to a week. In severe cases, complications can occur. In severe cases, complications can arise, often including inflammation of the lungs, ears or heart muscle, and a severe feeling of malaise that increases as the disease progresses. If not treated or treated too late, influenza can permanently damage the heart. Possible secondary diseases of the heart, such as chronic pericarditis or an acquired heart defect, are manifested by cardiac arrhythmias and reduced exercise tolerance, among other symptoms.
Course
The flu usually begins after infection with the “malaise”. There high fever, aching limbs and headache and fatigue are often the first signs of an approaching flu. Typical symptoms of influenza are the sudden onset of illness, with the above-mentioned malaise and high fever, which is above 39°C. In addition, there are chills, as well as muscle and limb pain. Constant tiredness, fatigue and a feeling of weakness are also typical symptoms of influenza, as the body is fully concentrated on defending itself against the influenza viruses. Also characteristics, which apply to a normal cold, occur with a flu. There would be, for example, headache, sore throat, dry cough and sensitivity to light. However, the symptoms are more severe in flu than in a normal cold.
Complications
With influenza flu, there is an increased risk of complications, especially in children, seniors, and people who suffer from immunodeficiency. In the worst case, even a fatal course of the disease is possible. One of the most common sequelae of severe influenza is pneumonia.In some cases, the lungs are directly infected by the influenza viruses, which physicians refer to as primary influenza pneumonia. However, it is equally conceivable that the lungs are attacked by bacteria due to the weakened immune system. This is called secondary influenza pneumonia. Mixed forms of both variants are also sometimes seen. The influenza viruses clear the way for bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus or pneumococci on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. The germs can now penetrate more easily and cause pneumonia or otitis media. If the patient suffers from a weakened immune system, the secondary infection can take a severe course. The result is usually a high fever, which in turn puts a great strain on the heart and circulation. More rarely, flu complications occur outside the lungs. Most often, these are Reye’s syndrome, which usually manifests itself in children. This involves the risk of brain and liver impairment associated with influenza B infection and the use of acetylsalicylic acid. However, since children have been taking aspirin less frequently, this complication has decreased significantly. Other complications of influenza that occur rarely include inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), and severe damage to muscle tissue.
When should you see a doctor?
Serious flu should not be underestimated and should be treated by a doctor. In the worst case, it can also lead to the death of the patient. However, flu should always be distinguished from a cold, which can usually also be treated with simple home remedies. A visit to the doctor is necessary in the case of flu if the affected person suffers from a very high fever, which does not disappear on its own. A strong cough and hoarseness also indicate the flu. Most sufferers also exhibit aching limbs and nausea or loss of appetite. Furthermore, there is vomiting and a severe cold and chills. If flu is present, bed rest should be observed to prevent it from spreading. If the symptoms persist longer than usual, a medical examination should be made. Usually a visit to a general practitioner or pediatrician is sufficient. Only in severe cases are affected persons dependent on an inpatient stay in a hospital.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment for influenza consists primarily of relieving symptoms. By administering medication, such as a neuramidase inhibitor, the enzyme neuramidase is blocked so that the flu can no longer multiply. Mild symptoms, such as fever or aching limbs, can be alleviated with simple painkillers. Because the immune system is very weakened at the time of illness, secondary infections, such as pneumonia, can result. To prevent this, further antibiotics are administered, which are very effective against the bacteria. In addition to treatment by the doctor, the patient himself can also do something to make the flu weaken more quickly. Thus, during an illness, bed rest should definitely be kept, so that the entire organism can recover, and in addition, enough should be drunk, since a lot of fluid is lost due to the fever. In addition, fever-reducing agents, such as calf compresses, should be applied. As a preventive measure against seasonal flu, vaccination is recommended.
Follow-up care
Influenza is a serious illness, but in many cases it heals without complications. Nevertheless, consistent follow-up care is necessary to prevent a flare-up of the disease or superinfection with bacteria. Follow-up care is initiated and, if necessary, monitored by the attending physician, usually the family doctor. Especially patients with serious or chronic concomitant diseases, pregnant women, people with weak immune systems, seniors and young children should follow the aftercare instructions of their physician. Then complete recovery from the flu without relapses can be realized to a high degree. The healthy lifestyle and sparing are the two factors on which the aftercare of flu is based. First and foremost, this includes not stressing the body too soon. Sports should only be practiced after consulting the doctor, so as not to expose the cardiovascular system to great stress too early.The immune system also needs a period of rest in order to regenerate sustainably. Drinking enough fluids helps to stabilize the circulation and compensate for fluid loss through sweating in the case of fever. A healthy diet additionally stabilizes the defense system of the body, which is often severely weakened by influenza. Cold influences should be avoided during the period of follow-up care. Cold feet are just as unfavorable in this context as drafts. Sufficient sleep also helps the body to regenerate.
Outlook and prognosis
In many cases, influenza heals completely and without complications in both adults and children. However, the prognosis may worsen, especially if the physician’s instructions are not followed or are inadequately followed. Bed rest and sparing are very important during influenza. If this is not adhered to, the flu can be carried over and lead to myocarditis, which is sometimes life-threatening. A worsening of the patient’s already weakened general condition can also be triggered by insufficient drinking, with the risk of dehydration. Especially in young children, this can lead to febrile seizure. Other possibilities that can worsen the prognosis are symptoms such as loss of consciousness or drop in blood pressure. Locally, the flu can also worsen prognosis if it does not heal properly. In the area of the nose and sinus, as well as the frontal sinus, congestion of secretions can lead to pain and chronic findings. In the downward respiratory tract, chronic bronchitis or pneumonia may adversely affect prognosis. Severe involvement of the tonsils can lead to the tonsils becoming severely fissured and then unable to function properly. Then there is often the sometimes problematic floor change to the bronchial tubes and lungs. Irritable cough, which often occurs at the end of influenza, can also worsen the prognosis if it causes a hyperreactive bronchial system.
Here’s what you can do yourself
In any case of flu, a doctor should be consulted. Accompanying the usual measures are recommended: Bed rest and physical rest, drink plenty of fluids and a sparing diet. Further measures depend on the prevailing symptoms. Inhalation of tea or salt water at 42 to 47 degrees helps against cough, cold and difficulty swallowing. Acute colds can be relieved by decongestant nasal drops or herbal preparations from specialty stores. A gentle alternative is rinsing the nose with lukewarm water or chamomile tea. For severe sore throats, gargling with sage tea or preparations from the pharmacy is recommended. Essential oils and solutions made from various medicinal plants such as chamomile, lemon balm, ginger or anise have also proved effective. High fevers can be counteracted with calf wraps and cooling compresses, among other things. In case of doubt, however, the emergency doctor should be called, as there is sometimes a danger to life at high temperatures. Otherwise, the following applies: ensure a humid climate in the sleeping room. However, drafts or cold should be avoided. In case of flu, especially the chest, the feet and the neck and neck region should always be well warmed.
