Influenza Concept Map

What is it?

What is it?

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that infects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.It is caused by influenza viruses such as Influenza A and Influenza B. These viruses are responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year.

Incubation Period

Incubation Period

Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes.

Diagnosing

Diagnosing

The most common are called “rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs).” RIDTs work by detecting the parts of the virus (antigens) that stimulate an immune response. These tests can provide results within approximately 10-15 minutes but are not as accurate as other flu tests. Therefore, you could still have the flu, even though your rapid test result is negative. Other flu tests are called “rapid molecular assays” that detect genetic material of the virus. Rapid molecular assays produce results in 15-20 minutes and are more accurate than RIDTs. In addition, there are several more accurate and sensitive flu tests available that must be performed in specialized laboratories, such as those found in hospitals or state public health laboratories. All of these tests require that a healthcare provider swipe the inside of your nose or the back of your throat with a swab and then send the swab for testing. Results may take one to several hours.

Who is at risk?

People with lung disease like asthma People of all ages with ongoing medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney or liver disease, blood cell disease including sickle cell, or neurological diseases that affect swallowing or breathing. Pregnant women and women who have given birth within 2 weeks. Children younger than 5 years, especially those younger than 2 years. Adults age 50 years and over. People with weak immune systems (due to disease or medicines). Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than 5 years and adults aged 50 years and older, with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children aged younger than 6 months; and Household contacts and caregivers of people with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.

Who is at risk?

Symptoms:

Symptoms

Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue (tiredness), some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Prevention:

Prevention

The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.Take everyday preventive actions that are always recommended to reduce the spread of flu. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. Cover coughs and sneezes. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with viruses that cause flu.

Treatments:

If you are sick with the flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness. Antiviral drugs can make flu illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications. Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting them later can still be helpful. Rest, lie elevated. Stay at home as much as possible, if you have to go out take the proper precautions. Take lukewarm showers. Drink plenty of water and other clear liquids to prevent dehydration. Take medications as prescribed and contact HCP or call 911 if symptoms worsen.

How to treat:

Treatments to avoid:

What NOT to do:

Antibiotics do not treat influenza, virus causes the flu. Only antiviral medications treat viruses. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections. Don't take cough medicine, the doses of cough suppressants in these medications are too low. Don’t give children aspirin as aspirin, and other drugs called salicylates, can cause a serious complication in children under 18 known as Reye’s syndrome. Don’t take a cold shower to reduce fever, as this will do the opposite and increase the temperature.

COVID related info:

COVID Related Info: influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. There are some key differences between flu and COVID-19. COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than the flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. It can also take longer before people show symptoms and people can be contagious for longer. Another important difference is there is a vaccine to protect against flu. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

COVID Info: