HEALTH SERVICES

Influenza, which is usually seen in late autumn, winter and the first months of spring, is a virus-transmitted disease with long-lasting complaints, which can leave a persistent cough behind. Cold weather, increased humidity, crowded and cramped environments (schools, shopping malls) during these periods pave the way for the flu.

The flu must first be distinguished from the common cold, with which it is most often confused. Symptoms such as slowly developing weakness, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, hoarseness and mild cough are typical symptoms of the common cold. Since fever is not evident in this picture and rarely a feeling of malaise in the whole body, colds are overcome standing and mildly.

Grip belirtileri ise aniden ve yoğun olarak ortaya çıkar. Hasta sabah işe giderken iyidir ancak saatler içerisinde klinik tablo ortaya çıkar. Bunlar ani gelen üşüme, titreme, aşırı halsizlik ve kırgınlık, yüksek ateş, yaygın eklem ve kas ağrıları, baş ağrısı, özellikle göğüste rahatsızlık ( baskı, ağrı hissi) olarak hissedilir. Tabloya kuru karakterde öksürük, özellikle çocuklarda bulantı, kusma ve ishal eşlik edebilir. Bazen burun tıkanıklığı, hapşırma ve nadiren boğaz ağrısı görülebilir.

Flu symptoms come on suddenly and intensely. The patient is well on his way to work in the morning, but the clinical picture emerges within hours. These are felt as sudden chills, chills, extreme weakness and malaise, high fever, common joint and muscle pains, headaches, especially chest discomfort (pressure, pain sensation). The picture may be accompanied by a dry cough, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, especially in children. Sometimes nasal congestion, sneezing and, rarely, sore throat may occur. The virus that causes the disease is transmitted to healthy people by air and contact. When a patient coughs, millions of viruses spread into the air. If the person is not immune to the virus, he/she will be sick within 1 – 4 days. In this way, hundreds of people can get sick in places where people are gathered, such as schools, cinemas, buses and places of worship. The virus can survive for 2-8 hours in the external environment. As it hangs in the air, healthy people get the virus when they come into contact with places that a sick person touches (door handle, telephone, table, stair rails, faucets, coins, etc.). When they then put their hands in their mouths and eyes, they infect themselves with the virus. Therefore, it can be said that; Influenza disease is most commonly transmitted in daily life by shaking hands, talking closely, kissing and being in crowded environments.

Infectiousness most commonly begins 1 day before symptoms appear and lasts for an average of 4 days. The time between the onset of the disease and the resolution of symptoms is approximately 7-9 days.

Flu treatment is basically planned as resting, taking plenty of fluids, paying attention to nutrition and using anti-flu and antiviral drugs under the control of a doctor.

In order for sick people to recover faster and to protect those around them, home rest should be provided and their treatment should be started immediately. Patients can return to work only one day after their fever subsides.

First of all, patient rooms should be ventilated frequently and the room should receive sunlight if possible (the virus loses its ability to cause disease with UV rays). If necessary, patients and their relatives should wear medical masks, and ways of transmission and protection should be explained. Collective living spaces such as classrooms should also be ventilated.

Since the virus sensitizes the airways, the patient is more affected by temperature changes, dry air, dust and coughs. Therefore, plenty of fluid intake and a balanced diet should be provided. Herbal teas, such as a diet rich in vitamin C. In addition, humidifying the air of the environment (such as steam engines, installing water on radiators) are effective methods to cope with persistent cough.

Anti-flu drugs, antipyretic and painkillers can be taken for complaints such as fever, fatigue, malaise, pain, runny nose, cough that occur during the course of the disease. Aspirin should not be used as an antipyretic and pain reliever during flu in children.

Since influenza is a viral disease, antibiotics should only be used when complications such as flu-related sinusitis and pneumonia occur.

Since the flu is mainly transmitted by air and contact, precautions should be taken against them. Patients should wipe their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue while coughing and sneezing, and throw them away immediately after the procedure. If there is no handkerchief, the inside of the arm can be used to cover the mouth.

Hands should be washed frequently, preferably with soap and water, and dried with a paper towel. For this purpose, alcohol-containing hand antiseptics can also be used (with 60-80% alcohol, the virus loses its ability to cause disease). In the environment where the patient lives, door-window handles and stair railings should be wiped with alcohol solutions. Kissing and shaking hands should be avoided during illness.

To prevent the flu, you can get the flu vaccine before the flu season starts. September-November months are the best times for overtaking. Protection starts 10-15 days after vaccination and reaches its highest level in the third week. Vaccinations made after getting the flu do not contribute to the treatment of the disease.