Seasonal flu: Influenza
“Influenza, also known as seasonal flu, is an upper respiratory tract infection transmitted by droplets and close contact. There are 3 types: A, B and C. Influenza A causes more severe clinical findings; It causes disease in humans, pigs, birds and horses and can cause seasonal epidemics such as bird flu and swine flu due to its ability to mutate. Influenza B only causes disease in humans, and is responsible for milder disease than influenza A. Influenza C can cause disease in humans and pigs and causes mild upper respiratory tract infection.”
Extremely common in children
“Influenza infection is extremely common in children around the world. Mild infection poses a significant disease burden on children around the world, with severe illness requiring hospitalization and mortality rates.
Almost all school-age children diagnosed with influenza miss at least one day of school. Compared to other respiratory diseases such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus and coronavirus, school absences due to influenza infection are higher.”
What are its symptoms?
“-In influenza, where sudden onset of fever, muscle pain and fatigue are at the forefront after 1-2 days, which is the incubation period, accompanied by headache, cough, runny nose and sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also be observed; Fever resolves in approximately 3-5 days and other symptoms resolve in 1 week.
-Dry cough may last longer in some cases.
-Middle ear infection, sinusitis, pneumonia and bronchitis are common complications. Bacterial infections over influenza are responsible for these complications.
-Children with underlying asthma, cystic fibrosis, heart disease and neuromuscular diseases are at higher risk for serious disease and complications.”
How is it transmitted?
“-Influenza is transmitted by sneezing and coughing droplets suspended in the air and inhaling these viruses through the respiratory tract.
– Another way of transmission is contact with the hands, nose and mouth after contact with door handles, tables and common items that are contaminated with the virus.
-Antibodies passed from the mother can protect newborn babies in the first few months of life. However, afterwards the amount of these antibodies decreases.
-The rate of transmitting the virus is higher in children than in adults and they are contagious for a longer period of time.
-The frequency of transmission of the virus peaks on the first day of the disease, and in young children, contagiousness can continue for up to 7-10 days.”
How is it diagnosed?
“It is determined according to clinical findings, demonstration of the virus with a throat swab and laboratory values if necessary.
Laboratory tests may not always be necessary, but blood tests and imaging methods should be used in all patients with a high risk of complications and advanced enough to be hospitalized.”
How is it treated?
“There are supportive treatments and antiviral treatment. Adequate fluid intake, balanced nutrition, bed rest, and medical-antiviral drugs can be used if necessary.
In case of deterioration in general condition, prolonged fever or recurrence of fever, secondary bacterial infection should be suspected. Appropriate antibiotics can be used if necessary.”
Is there a vaccine?
“There is a vaccine for influenza. Annual vaccination of children is the best way to protect against influenza. It can be applied to children older than 6 months.
If the vaccine is administered for the first time between the ages of 6 months and 8 years, it is administered 2 doses with an interval of 1 month, and if 2 doses of the vaccine have been administered before, it is administered once a year. For children aged 9 and over, vaccination is administered once a year.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual influenza vaccination for all children over 6 months of age. People who should be vaccinated first: Children are at higher risk for serious flu illness or complications, such as asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, immunosuppression, severe heart disease, or progressive neurological diseases. It takes approximately two weeks after vaccination for protective antibody levels against influenza to develop.”
What precautions should be taken?
“-Hand hygiene is the most important measure to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection from person to person. Hands should be washed with soap and water after contact with respiratory secretions or contaminated surfaces.
-People who show symptoms of the disease should use a mask.
-Stay at least one meter away from the person who is coughing or sneezing.
-The time spent in closed and unventilated environments should be shortened.
-Healthy nutrition should be provided.
-Regular sleep should be established.
-Vaccination is the best way to protect against influenza and ensures the mildest disease in case of possible contamination.”
