Seasonal flu is an acute respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses. The upper respiratory tract disease known as the common cold is a milder infection caused by non-influenza viruses. Influenza affects millions of people worldwide, especially in the winter season, and is usually a self-limiting infection. However, it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in some high-risk patient groups. In the young population, it is important in terms of causing a serious decrease in the labor force.
Influenza is a disease characterized by a sudden onset of fever (>38°C)/history of fever and cough and/or sore throat that cannot be explained by any other cause. It is most commonly transmitted from person to person through droplets spread by coughing and sneezing. Contaminated hands and other objects also play a role in transmission. The rate of spread varies depending on the virus subtype. The high rate of spread in preschool and school-age children is one of the important factors in the spread of the disease in the community. Infectiousness is possible in the 24 hours before and 5 days after the onset of symptoms. Follow-up is important as it may result in death in risky groups and may also lead to labor and economic losses.
As a result of the measures taken in the past 3 years due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, a decline in viral upper respiratory tract diseases was observed especially in 2021. As the SARS-CoV-2 virus started to lose its effect, along with the continuity of mask-distance-hygiene measures, the number of influenza cases was close to the zero line all over the world according to WHO data in 2021 as a result of avoiding closed spaces and crowds. In 2022, influenza cases started to increase again and according to the latest data, it is possible to say that influenza reached the levels before the pandemic this December.
Similarly, respiratory viruses other than influenza have also increased in recent weeks. Rhinovirus is the most common, followed by Human Coronavirus (another respiratory virus causing upper respiratory tract infections, not to be confused with SARS-CoV-2 virus causing Covid-19 disease) and RSV in third place, while some patients were infected with more than one virus.
As a result of the increase in infections due to influenza and other respiratory viruses, there is also an increase in severe acute respiratory diseases requiring hospitalization, especially in children and elderly patients.
For certain groups at risk of serious illness due to influenza, vaccination is essential to protect against the disease. People aged 65 years and over, people staying in nursing homes and retirement homes, pregnant women, adults and children with chronic lung and cardiovascular diseases including asthma, adults and children with any chronic metabolic disease including diabetes, chronic renal failure, blood disease or immunosuppression, children and adolescents between the ages of 6 months and 18 years who receive long-term aspirin treatment, children under 5 years of age and healthcare workers are recommended flu vaccine.
When you have the flu or a similar illness, you should rest at home if possible. If going out in public, care should be taken to use a mask as it will reduce contagiousness. Hands should be washed frequently with soap and water and contact surfaces should be cleaned frequently. Close contact should be avoided when encountering sick people, common materials such as towels should be avoided, and closed areas should be ventilated frequently. Considering that antibiotics are useless in treatment, supportive therapies such as rest, healthy eating, increasing fruit and water consumption, as well as anti-viral treatments come to the fore. The use of masks is still important and recommended for non-infected people to protect themselves from respiratory-transmitted diseases.
Uzm. Dr. Tuba Betül ÜMİT
Tokat State Hospital, Emergency Department