What is Influenza? What are the symptoms of influenza?

Influenza, popularly known as flu, is an acute respiratory infection caused by viruses. This infection, which becomes common especially in the winter months; It manifests itself with symptoms such as fever, weakness, muscle and joint pain. Influenza virus is a disease that can have great effects on public health with its rapidly contagious nature. Although it is mild for most people, it can lead to more serious complications in the elderly, young children and individuals with chronic diseases.

What is Influenza?

It is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs, which are part of the respiratory system. Flu is an illness caused by the influenza virus. It causes symptoms that can be severe, such as headaches and body aches, sore throat, fever, and respiratory symptoms. Flu is most common during the winter months, when many people can get sick at the same time.

Most people who get the flu get better on their own. But sometimes the flu and its complications can be fatal. You can get an annual flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu. Although the vaccine is not 100% effective, it reduces the chance of getting serious complications of the flu. This is especially true for people who are at high risk for flu complications. Besides the vaccine, you can take other steps to help prevent flu infection. You can clean and disinfect surfaces, wash your hands, and keep the air moving around you.

What are the symptoms of influenza?

Flu symptoms may vary from person to person. It manifests itself mildly in some cases and very severely in others. Flu symptoms usually appear 1 to 4 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms often include the sudden onset of:

• fire
• cough
• muscle aches and pains

Other common symptoms may include:

• shake
• fatigue
• headache
• sore throat
• anorexia
• runny nose or obstruction

Particularly in children, the following may also occur:

• diarrhea
• nausea and vomiting

You can be contagious from the day before you experience your first symptoms until about 5 days later. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for longer.

What Causes Influenza?

The disease is caused by the Influenza virus. There are 4 types of flu viruses:

• influenza A virus
• influenza B virus
• influenza C virus
• influenza D virus

Seasonal flu is usually caused by type A and B influenza viruses. A, B, and C are the most common types that infect humans. Influenza A and B, which are seasonal and most people experience in the winter, have more severe symptoms. H1N1, also known as swine flu, and bird flu are subtypes of influenza A. Influenza C does not cause severe symptoms. It is also not seasonal. The number of cases remains about the same throughout the year. Influenza C virus infections usually cause mild illness. It is not thought to cause epidemics in humans.

Influenza D viruses also mainly affect cows. They are not known to cause disease in humans. Some strains of the flu virus can also infect other animals. Animal influenza viruses are different from human seasonal influenza viruses. For this reason, it is not easily transmitted between people.

How Is Influenza Diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose the disease right away by listening to your symptoms. He or she may also take a mucus sample from your nose to diagnose Influenza. To test for influenza, he puts a long swab with a soft tip up your nose.

How to Treat Influenza?

Influenza treatment includes supportive measures to relieve symptoms of the disease and methods that support the person’s immune system. Rest, adequate fluid intake and a balanced diet help the immune system fight the virus effectively. Additionally, painkillers and antipyretics can be used to relieve symptoms such as high fever and pain; However, these should be taken with a doctor’s recommendation. Getting medical support early after the first symptoms of the disease appear can speed up the recovery process and reduce the risk of complications. However, the use of antiviral drugs is only recommended for patients who are in the risk group and deemed necessary by the doctor. Therefore, it is especially important for people in high-risk groups to receive treatment under the supervision of a doctor. In addition, precautions such as paying attention to hygiene rules, regular hand washing and, if necessary, the use of masks to prevent the spread of the disease ensure the protection of both the patient and those around him during the influenza process.

How to Test for Influenza?

Especially during flu season, it is important to make a correct diagnosis and prevent the spread of the disease. Influenza testing is performed by taking a swab from the nose or throat. The healthcare worker performing the test takes a swab sample from the nose or throat with the help of a sterile swab. The sample is taken by gently advancing this swab through the nostrils or towards the back of the throat. The sample collection process is short and mostly painless. However, it may cause a slight discomfort. There are several different testing methods to diagnose influenza:

• Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test (RIDT): It is one of the most widely used tests. This test is intended to detect influenza antigens in the sample. It gives results in approximately 10-15 minutes. Although it provides fast results, its sensitivity is low. Therefore, a negative result does not always indicate the absence of disease.
• Molecular Tests (PCR): These tests, performed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, detect the genetic material of the influenza virus. PCR tests provide more sensitive and accurate results than rapid tests. The result of this test, performed in a laboratory environment, is usually received within a few hours to a day.
• Viral Culture: This less commonly used method allows detection of the virus by growing it in a laboratory environment. Although viral culture tests are very sensitive, results can take several days to come back.

What are the methods of protection against influenza?

Protection from influenza is very important in minimizing the risk of transmission of the disease and protecting public health. Since the influenza virus is a virus that can spread easily, it is necessary to pay attention to protective measures both to protect individual health and to prevent the spread of epidemics. Comprehensive methods recommended for protection against influenza are as follows:

• Getting Vaccinated: Influenza vaccine is the most effective way to protect against flu. The vaccine strengthens the immune system against the virus, reducing the risk of the body becoming infected. This vaccine, prepared according to the influenza virus types that change every year, is especially recommended for people in risk groups such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, healthcare workers and those with chronic diseases.
• Paying Attention to Hand Hygiene: Hands are one of the most important carriers of the flu virus. Touching surfaces or places touched by infected people during the day can cause the virus to spread to hands. Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds reduces the risk of transmitting the virus.
• Cleaning and Disinfection of Surfaces: Influenza virus can survive on surfaces for a certain period of time. Therefore, it is important to regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. In particular, surfaces such as door handles, table tops, phones and computer keyboards should be cleaned daily as they may carry viruses.
• Avoiding Crowded Environments: Being in crowded environments during flu season increases the risk of exposure to the virus. Especially during epidemic periods, avoiding crowded environments if possible, limited use of public transportation and compliance with social distance rules can reduce the risk of infection.
• Strengthening the Immune System: A healthy immune system is effective in fighting infections such as influenza. A balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep and stress management are necessary to keep the immune system strong. It is especially beneficial to consume foods rich in nutrients that support the immune system, such as vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. A healthy lifestyle that supports the immune system can reduce the risk of contracting influenza.
• Mask Usage: The mask both prevents infected people from spreading the virus and reduces healthy individuals’ contact with the virus. During flu season, wearing a mask in closed and crowded areas reduces the risk of transmission. It is important to use the mask to fully cover the nose and mouth and to change the mask regularly.

These measures offer an effective and comprehensive approach to preventing influenza. Applying these measures, especially during the flu season, not only protects individual health but also contributes to public health.