Influenza

It is a systemic viral infection that predominately affects respiratory tract and holds significant mortality. It is caused by Influenza A virus or influenza B virus. Its diagnosis and management have been illustrated below in detail.

Signs and symptoms of Influenza

The patients present with the following signs and symptoms.

• Fever
• Malaise
• Cough
• Myalgia
• Myocarditis
• Pericarditis
• Reye’s syndrome in children
• Encephalitis
• Meningitis

Diagnosis of Influenza

• PCR of nasopharyngeal sample
• Serology

Treatment

Management of influenza includes from preventive measures to antiviral drugs. Hand hygiene and masks are recommended to prevent transmission. Antiviral drugs are e.g. oral oseltamivir, inhaled zanamivir, intravenous peramivir or oral cap dependent endonucleases inhibitor baloxavir, can reduce the severity if used within 48 hours of infection. Vaccine are also used as prophylactic measures in older age group, children between 2-7 years, chronic diseases such as cardiovascular or pulmonary disorders, and imunocompromised patients.