Patient Education: Influenza
1. Understanding
Influenza is an infectious disease that is easily contagious and is caused by the influenza virus that attacks the respiratory tract.
Influenza virus belongs to the group of viruses "orthomyxoviruses" there are three types of influenza viruses, namely A, B and C. Type A is known to be highly contagious and can be spread in local population groups.
2. Symptoms and Signs of Influenza
The main symptoms of influenza are sudden fever accompanied by chills, headache, weakness, muscle and joint pain.
These symptoms last for 3-7 days. If the disease gets worse, the symptoms mentioned above will be replaced with symptoms of respiratory tract diseases such as cough, sore throat and sometimes accompanied by symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
3. Spread or Transmission
Influenza is highly contagious for 1-2 days before symptoms appear, transmission occurs through the air when talking, coughing and sneezing or through direct and indirect contact.
In tropical countries, influenza often occurs throughout the year, and every year influenza causes death. Unlike the common cold, influenza can lead to serious complications. Influenza virus causes damage to the cells of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract so that sufferers are very susceptible to other diseases, such as pneumococcus which causes pneumonia which is a dangerous disease. Everyone can catch influenza regardless of age and social level.
4. Due to Influenza
The feared result of this disease is the emergence of infections such as pneumonia and central nervous disorders, in addition, sufferers or people with chronic diseases can get worse and can even cause death. Some of these chronic diseases such as: Asthma, chronic lung, heart, diabetes, impaired immune status, blood disorders and others.
People who are at high risk for influenza are:
- Elderly over 60 years old
- Children with asthma
- Patients with chronic diseases (lung, heart, kidney and diabetes)
- Patients with immune system disorders
5. How to Prevent
The way to prevent us from getting influenza is to maintain a healthy way of life, namely by eating healthy and exercising regularly and getting enough rest. Another way is to vaccinate, this method is the most effective and safe and can provide protection for one year against influenza.
