Community Teaching Presentation on Influenza

Community Teaching Presentation
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Community Teaching Presentation
Introduction
* Influenza flu is usually referred to as a contagious viral infection that affects the individual's respiratory tract.
* Even though sometimes individuals can recover independently, there are other instances where it causes severe illness and other life-threatening complications such as pneumonia.
* Since the person cannot know how the condition could turn out, visiting the healthcare facility when you have the flu could be critical.
* The flu is usually a seasonal infection, with high rates between April and September.
Two Common Types of Influenza
* Even though there are four types of Influenza viruses, the common ones in human beings are Influenza Viruses A and B
Influenza Virus A
* Influenza A has been believed to be the leading cause of flu pandemics.
* Individuals usually suffer from a pandemic whenever a different Influenza virus A emerges, which infects people.
* The main reason why this virus is risky is it can spread with ease from animal to human or human to human, mostly among those who have little or no immunity.
* When the person has Influenza A, they are likely to experience coughing, sore throat, fever, headache, runny or stuffy nose, fever, body aches, chills, and fatigue.
* If left untreated, the patient will likely suffer from ear infections, dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, asthma attack, abdominal pain, pneumonia, chest pain, cardiac issues, and bronchitis.
* These symptoms will likely resolve independently through ample fluid intake.
* The main reason is you will require extra fluids to replace the ones lost through excess sweating.
* You should also rest enough since you will likely feel weak and tired when the temperature is abnormal.
* Furthermore, rest will help the body to be comfortable, which will help it to use that energy to fight infection.
* Nevertheless, if you experience the following symptoms for over a week without any improvement, you should visit a specialist.
* Sometimes the specialist could give you an antiviral medication for this infection.
* The common antiviral medication that the doctor may likely prescribe includes; Zanamivir (Relenza), Peramivir (Rapivab), and Oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
* The following medications are called neuraminidase inhibitors since they usually minimize the influenza virus's ability to spread from one cell to another, thereby reducing infection.
* Even though the following medications are usually effective, an individual can have side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
* In most instances, individuals 65 or older and those with weakened immune systems should visit the specialist promptly since they are likely to be more affected by the flu.
Influenza B
* Influenza B is similar to Influenza virus A since it is usually highly contagious and can expose individuals to dangerous effects in extreme conditions.
* In addition to this virus causing seasonal outbreaks, it can be transferred throughout the year.
* One of the differences between this virus and Influenza virus A is this virus can only be spread from human to human.
* If you have type B influenza, you will likely experience fever, sore throat, sneezing and runny nose, chills, coughing, fatigue, and muscle aches.
* In other instances, it can cause stomach symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
* If the condition is left untreated, you will likely suffer from severe cases such as kidney failure, pneumonia, sepsis, respiratory failure, bronchitis, and heart inflammation or myocarditis.
* If you suspect you have the flu, you should drink fluids to prevent dehydration while also having enough sleep to help your body have enough rest to recharge.
* Sometimes the influenza B symptoms could improve on their own.
* Even though you are among the people at risk of flu complications, you should seek medical treatment promptly.
An image showing the common ways that influenza spreads
Epidemiological of Influenza
* Influenza A and B will transmit respiratory infections among people every flu season.
* This instance has made different healthcare organizations develop vaccines to prevent it from spreading.
* However, despite the availability of antiviral agents and vaccines, influenza remains a significant health concern.
* This virus affects approximately 2 to 10% of the global population, accounting for 250,000 to 500,000 deaths annually.
* Patients with cancer or compromised immune systems have higher cases of death after being infected with influenza.
* Moreover, older people are at a higher ris...