FLU: Critical or Not

Posted by emerjoytvale on August 17th, 2010

           When somebody coughs or sneezes in the public, other people may cover their nose and mouth due to the perception that they may catch colds. The microorganisms or viruses that travel through the saliva can transfer to other person by inhalation or by contact to the mucous membrane. With this easy process of transfer from individual to another, other people believe that this kind of viral infection is critical. Other reason why people considered it as critical is because of its debilitating effect to immunocompromised patients. In fact, viral infections are self limiting and can be considered as minor condition that will pass out by itself without treatment, provided that the host?s immune system is not weak.

         Flu is medically called influenza or La Grippe. It is an acute viral infectious disease that affects the respiratory system. It is caused by RNA containing myxoviruses: type A, type B, and type C which can persist for more than an hour in dried mucus. The virus invades first the mucous membrane exposed from external environment specifically oral and nasal area. In rare cases, invasion may start at tracheal and bronchial mucosa where rapid inflammation damages the ciliated epithelium of the tracheobronchial tree, rendering the patient susceptible to the development of secondary infection or invasion caused by bacteria or protozoa. In severe cases, reactions produce edema of the respiratory passages with discharges classified as serosanguinous. Signs and symptoms include sudden onset of chilly sensation, fever, malaise, sore throat, runny nose, muscle pain and headache. Complications include hemorrhagic pneumonia, encephalitis, myocarditis, myoglobinuria and sudden infant death syndrome.

        Preventive measures against viral influenza are cost-effective processes. A person with the disease can avoid putting himself or herself in crowded places. Health care personnel can also educate the public regarding the basic personal hygiene. One of the primary levels of prevention is immunization. It is recommended that elderly, people with poor immunity, people with diabetes, lung disease, kidney disease, heart disease or liver disease should receive the vaccine annually.

         As we know, viral infections are self-limiting. Treatment only involves palliative care and preventive actions against complications. So, if somebody is having flu, he or she is advised to stay at home; drink plenty of fluids; take medications to relieve fever and headache; tepid sponge bath for elevated temperature; isolating patient to decrease risk of infecting others (respiratory isolation); limit strenuous activity especially in children and watch out for complications especially among people at risk.

         Now that you have a little background of the pathophysiology of influenza, maybe you can now decide whether this kind of viral disease is critical or not. With the evolution of the causative agents from simple one to a complex one, flu now is unexpectedly unpredictable.