What do we know about influenza?

Influenza is one of the most common and dangerous viral diseases, which annually claims many lives around the world. Although we are all familiar with this disease from childhood, there are actually many aspects of influenza that remain unknown to most people. In this article we will try to talk about what we know about influenza today.

History of influenza

There is a hypothesis that the name of the disease was given by the Russian word “wheezing” (a characteristic sound made during illness). Later, in the middle of the 18th century, it came to Europe, and then was borrowed a second time by our compatriots from the French language - from “grippe”. Presumably the virus has existed for a very long time, however, the history of epidemics began to be carefully recorded only from the end of the 19th century.

How does the flu occur?

The causative agent of influenza is a virus, which under a microscope looks like a small ball with spikes: inside there is an RNA molecule, and on top there are proteins. There are three known types of virus (A, B and C), which are constantly changing - today more than two thousand different variants have been identified. Such sad diversity leads to the fact that it is not always easy to “identify” the disease.

Flu symptoms

Despite the variety of virus variants, there are several common features that are common to influenza. Since the virus multiplies very quickly, the disease is characterized by a “sharp” onset: sometimes the sick person can determine the “beginning” of the illness with an accuracy of an hour. The second feature is a rapid increase in temperature, which, as a rule, jumps to 39–40°C (sometimes higher) and lasts for several days. The disease has clear signs of general intoxication of the body: dizziness, pain in the eyes and redness, severe chills, sweating, aches throughout the body, pain in muscles and joints are typical.

Prevention and treatment of influenza

The classic form of flu prevention is annual vaccination. The greatest effect is provided by vaccination given before the outbreak of the epidemic, since immunity to the virus is developed within approximately 14 days. However, this is where the difficulty lies: it all depends on how accurately we can predict which variant of the virus will dominate this season. In addition, the vaccine does not guarantee 100% protection against the disease, but it reduces the likelihood of severe disease and complications.

Treatment of influenza includes symptomatic therapy aimed at reducing the severity of symptoms. This may include the use of antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-flu drugs that can shorten the duration of the disease, as well as drinking plenty of fluids and resting.

Complications of influenza

The flu can cause serious complications, especially in people with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses. Such complications may include pneumonia, bronchitis, sepsis, heart inflammation, and problems with the kidneys and other organs. In some cases, complications can lead to death.

Conclusion

Influenza is a serious illness that can cause significant problems for people's health and well-being. Although there is a vaccine and treatment, influenza still remains a significant public health threat. Therefore, it is important to follow preventive measures, including annual vaccinations and good hygiene, to reduce the risk of disease and complications.