What is influenza?

Influenza (flu) is a common viral illness that occurs during the winter months in temperate climates.

Outbreaks of the infection range from small local outbreaks to nation-wide epidemics or global pandemics in which millions of people become ill and many die from the condition or its complications.

What causes influenza and who is at risk?

Flu is caused by a group of viruses of which there are three main types, A, B and C, and many subtypes.

The infection is spread from person to person by droplets from coughing and sneezing. It can also be spread by hand contact through droplets from the nose on the hands.

People suffering with flu are infectious for one to two weeks from the time they first get symptoms. If a person exposed to influenza is going to develop the condition they will do so within 2 – 3 days. Although flu occurs most commonly in children, the elderly are most likely to suffer serious complications of the infection.

The illness is also worse in people with diabetes, heart disease or chronic (long term) lung or kidney disease and in people whose immune systems are suppressed (such as those with AIDS).

What are the common symptoms and complications of influenza?

The commonest symptoms of flu are: Sudden fever along with nasal stuffiness

general aches and pains

muscle weakness, loss of appetite nausea and sometimes vomiting

often also a harsh, dry cough

The most common complications are inflammation of the airways in the lungs (tracheitis and bronchitis) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) caused by infection with bacteria, which follows the influenza viral infection. Flu can also aggravate conditions such as asthma. Rarely flu can cause heart problems and inflammation of the brain and nerves, which have more serious consequences.

In children flu is a cause of croup (swelling and obstruction of the airway in the throat leading to breathing difficulty) and febrile convulsions (fits due to high fever).

Can I prevent influenza?

You can help keep your immune system fighting fit all year long. Washing your hands frequently will reduce your chance of catching the flu virus from another person who has the infection.

Flu vaccination is recommended for people who are at high risk of severe symptoms or complications or whose work involves caring for people at high risk.

What is the treatment for influenza?

Self- care action plan

You can help yourself to feel better by treating your symptoms.

Bed rest is recommended until the fever has subsided

Drink lots of fluids and if you don’t feel like eating for a few days, make sure you eat healthy food as soon as possible

Inhaling steam can help clear mucus from your nose and sinuses

Drinking warm water with honey and lemon may help to ease a sore throat

Avoid alcohol. It reduces your body’s ability to fight the infection

If you have a chronic (prolonged) disease, such as chronic bronchitis, see your doctor as soon as you develop flu symptoms

If you have asthma and adjusting your regular medication according to your treatment plan is not controlling it during this time, see your doctor

Medicines

Take paracetamol for your pain and fever

If you have a sore throat, try lozenges or a mouth gargle with aspirin or a local anaesthetic

A dry cough may be relieved with a cough suppressant available from chemists and supermarkets

For a runny nose, try a decongestant

Relenza is a new treatment that has been shown to reduce both symptoms and the duration of flu. It is taken by oral inhalation, twice daily for five days.

Amantadine is a synthetic anti-viral drug. Amantadine is useful in the treatment of parkinson’s syndrome. It is useful as an adjunct in patients who do not tolerate optimal doses of levodopa alone.

By improving muscle control and reducing stiffness, this medicine allows more normal movements of the body as the disease symptoms are reduced. In most of the case, it is also used to treat stiffness and shaking caused by certain medicines used to treat nervous, mental, and emotional conditions. Amantadine may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Amantadine is available only with your doctor prescription in any medical store. It is the in the forms of Capsules, Syrup and Tablets. The following are the precautions should be taken:

1) While taking Amantadine drinking alcohol may cause in increasing side effect such as circulation problem, fainting or confusing. Doctors suggest to not taking alcohol while taking this medication.

2) Amantadine may cause some side effect like dryness of mouth and throat. If this is case then check with your physician.

3) This medication may cause some people to become dizzy, confused, or lightheaded or trouble concentrating.

4) Amantadine may cause some skin problem mostly in women’s and usually occur on the legs and feet after amontadine has been taken regularly for a month or more.

5) Study on effect of Amantadine in pregnant women’s has not done. However, there have been reports of birth defects of the heart, when women took amantadine during the first trimester of pregnancy.

6) Amantadine passes into ****** milk. However, the effect of amantadine in newborn babies and infants are not knows.

Serious side effects accompanied with Amantadine are:

1. Vision disturbances

2. Swelling in the ankles or feet

3. Uncomman fatigue

4. Difficlulty while urination

5. Mood changes or state of severe depression

6. Muscle stiffness

7. Uncontrolled muscular movements

For more information on Amantadine, log on to http://www.benzer11.com/amantadine.html

Copyright (c) 2008 The Naturally Healthy Pet.com

Introduction: Equine influenza (’flu’) is probably the main respiratory infection affecting horses. It is found worldwide, and can be severe in some cases. Fortunately, prevention is possible with current vaccinations. A recent outbreak in Australia in August to October 2007 meant that this previously unaffected continent has added to its globalisation. This outbreak appears to have spread from imported Japanese stallions.

What is Equine Influenza? This is a severe respiratory viral infection, with a short incubation period of 3-4 days, and a rapid worsening of symptoms. It is particularly likely to spread rapidly in overstocked situations.

The virus is spread by inhalation of water droplets via the nose. From here it causes damage to tissues lining the respiratory tract. It can cause death of large areas of the lining tissue or mucosa.

Symptoms: These include high temperature, clear nasal discharge, dry cough, and swollen submental lymph nodes (under the jaw). In addition, you may notice that your horse has depression & lethargy, a clear eye discharge, a poor appetite, and a reluctance to drink There may even be a degree of swelling of the limbs, with a resultant reluctance to move. Occasionally secondary pneumonia can occur, especially in the very old and the very young; this can lead to death.

Causative Agent: The Equine-1 (H7N7) and equine-2 (H3N8); influenza A is a subtype of the latter. Unlike the human influenza virus, which changes every year, equine flu virus has more stable subtypes. The horse flu virus was isolated as recently as 1956.

Occasionally carrier status occurs in equines, when an incomplete immune response to infection has occurred and the virus has not been eliminated. Such horses are shedding virus and infectious despite appearing well.

Current Western Treatments: Horses with ‘flu’ need complete rest for at least 6 weeks. It takes 1 week to recover at best, but 6 weeks for any mucosal damage to be reversed, hence the need for a longer period of rest. During recovery, it is important that any stable used must have good ventilation, with minimal dust levels. Mucolytic agents & antibiotics may be necessary if secondary infection occurs.

Complementary Therapies: Supportive care can help, such as reiki, spiritual healing, crystal healing, acupressure, shiatsu, and aromatics. These can help the horse’s immune system and ability to heal itself. The aromatics (animal aromatherapy, whereby the animal chooses remedies on the basis of scent and taste from a selection offered) may have specific effects on resistance to infection and the release of supportive hormones.

Prevention: Influenza vaccines have been available for many years, and initially only provided protection for a few months. Current improved vaccines protect for 10-15 months. Vaccination is given as a primary course of 2 doses, 3-6 weeks apart, followed by boosters at 6-12 month intervals. Side effects are rare, and may be due to inflammation at the injection site, occasional allergy, or general poor well – being.

Certification of flu vaccination may be needed for horses that travel or compete

Homeopathic nosodes may be helpful in preventing influenza. Nosodes are created from the equine virus by diluting many times in water. The water then holds the memory of the molecule, which may be enough to stimulate an immune response. Nosodes tend to have a lower side effect rate, but there is limited evidence of their efficacy.

Surgery

If pneumonia gets complicated with empyema, abscess, then one might need surgical procedures such as: thoracotomy, thoracentesis. Chest tubes are needed to drain the infected fluid, they remain in place for 1-3 days and may perforate the diaphragm and accidentally injure the lung.

Pneumonia prevention

Avoid and treat colds and influenza as soon as possible and as efficiently as possible. Maintain a good hygiene of your hands, have a rich diet in dark-colored fruits and vegetables and fresh food, have an active socially life, take different zinc preparations because studies have shown that zinc has substantial benefits against colds, flus, allergies, pneumonia. Zinc has good effects on the inflammatory response and immune system, its action is unknownb but its effects are clear.

Side efeects included are: dry mouth, constipation, bad taste, in case of superdosage vomiting, dehydration, and restlessness address as quickly as possible a physician. Zinc may also produce allergies and interact with other medication, it reduces the absorption of certain antibiotics. Zinc absorption is reduced by high amounts of calcium or phosphorus. And if taken for a long time zinc causes copper deficiencies.

Vitamin C

Studies have shown that flu, cold are reduced by large doses of vitamin C. Vitamin C appears to have preventive effects and helps the infection to be cured more rapidly. But taking high doses of vitamin C determins headaches and intestinal and urinary problems and even kidney stones. Increases iron absorption so people with blood disorders shouldn’t take large doses of vitamin C.

Echinacea is a herbal remedy that prevents the onset and symptoms of a flu. But it hasn’t been determined exactly which type of Echinacea is usefull and if the whole plant or only the roots and herb are effective. What you should watch aut when taking

Echinacea is that there may appear allergic reactions such as: erythema nodosum with muscle and joint aches, and sore throat and fever. You shouldn’t take natural remedy without the doctor’s approuval.

Vaccines for Haemophilus Influenzae

All children should be vaccinated against Haemophilus influenzae, especially those under five years.

Pneumococcal Vaccines

People of all ages should be given pneumococcal vaccines to prevent flus and pneumonia. It has been demonstrated that this vaccine protects children in day care from serious respiratory infections. Those with high risk at the administration of the vaccine are: children with sickle-cell disease, adults or children who have immune deficiencies, patients with kidney disease or kidney transplants, patients with splin problems, alcoholics. Sometimes the vaccine protection lasts for over six years.

Antiviral Agents are used to treat and prevent influenza A, B. Amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine) are M2 inhibitors. They have the following benefits: offer protection against influenza A and prevent severe illness, lessen the severity of the flu but they may cause nausea, vomiting, and indigestion.

Neuraminidase Inhibitors such as: Zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) are designed to block a key viral enzyme, neuraminidase, which is involved with viral replication. So, they are effective for treating and preventing A and B strains of influenza, they may even help reduce transmission of the virus, they may reduce complications of influenza.

You can find great content regarding pneumonia causes, pneumonia symptoms and many moreby visiting http://www.pneumonia-center.com/