HEALTH TIME
THE FLU! WHAT DO I DO?
The Northern Hemisphere is entering the winter season, and therefore
influenza season is approaching. What is really the flu? How can we prevent
from getting
infected? If we get it, what do we do?
Dr. Marianne gives us a medical explanation and some good advice.
The flu – or influenza – is an infection caused by a virus. The viruses
which commonly cause the flu are Influenza Virus A and Influenza virus B, which
has several under groups. The Influenza virus has a great ability to undergo
changes which therefore can cause outbreaks of the flu year after year. The influenza
season typically last from December to March.
Typical flu symptoms are soar throat, fever, chills, head ache, muscle and joint
pain, these symptoms may well be accompanied by hoarseness, runny nose and cough.
The flu is spread through respiratory secretions by coughing and sneezing. When
first infected by a virus, it takes 1 – 3 days before symptoms appear.
Complications of the flu are viral and bacterial pneumonia, infections of the
heart, infection and destruction of muscle tissue and affection of the central
nerve system.
Uncomplicated influenza patients typically improve after 2 – 5 days, and
the disease is normally gone after 7 – 10 days. The medical treatment is
aimed at relieving symptoms. Severe illness, or with complications, might be
treated with antiviral medication or antibiotics if there are signs of bacterial
infection.
The diagnosis can be made through samples from the respiratory system, and through
blood samples.
To limit the spread of the disease is an important factor in disease prevention.
In general it is recommended to wash hands often, and to avoid sneezing and coughing
on other people. If feeling sick it is important to stay home from work, school
or kindergarten, this in order for the patient to get well faster, and not to
spread the infection further.
Vaccination against the flu is also an important factor in disease prevention.
There is a new vaccine made every year. The vaccine is made on suggestions from
the WHO (World Health Organization). It is recommended to receive the vaccine
between September and November. It is estimated that 70 – 80% of the ones
being vaccinated will not get the flu.
Some guidelines for influenza vaccination are:
- children and adults with severe respiratory disease
- children and adults with chronic heart disease
- children and adults with suppressed immune system (caused by for instance HIV,
cancer, medications)
- people living in nursing homes
- people aged 65 and older
- people with diabetes type 1 or type 2
If you have mild symptoms of the flu which does not improve after 5 – 7
days, or if you have severe symptoms, seek medical help. While having symptoms
stay at home. Good hygiene is important, so wash your hands often. If you need
more information on vaccination, contact your doctor for further advice.
I hope this information will be of help to you all!
Dr. Marianne
MARIANNE
EFSKIND Occupation: intern in public health and family medicine in Vik. |
 |
mamizeits Dr. Marianne
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Previous Health time issues:
DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN THE FIRST YEARS OF LIVING
NIGHT TERRORS
ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA
LYME DISEASE
Previous questions from readers:
Dear Dr. Marianne,
I heard on the radio the other day
that Switzerland has the highest
rate of measles (masern) outbreaks in Europe.
My son is soon scheduled to have the vaccine against measles, but some
of my friends recommend that I don't let him have this because of possible
side effects. I don't know what to do. What would you recommend?"
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Dear Dr. Marianne,
My 6-year old son has started to go
on weekend visits to visit his grandparents’ by
himself. These weekend visits are his first experiences away from home
overnight. Before going he gets excited about the visit, but as it draws
close he starts to worry about missing his toys and little sister and
not having me to read him a bed-time story. Last weekend we had to go
and pick him up early because he was so homesick.
What is homesickness, and what can we do to help him?
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MORE