Flu

Flu has many types one of the common types are H1N1 or Influenza. Influenza is an acute, highly contagious respiratory tract infection. It usually occurs seasonally in epidemics. Influenza results from one of the three types of myxovirus influenza. Other types are type A, type B and type C. the most at risk persons are young children, elderly, people with chronic respiratory diseases and health care workers. This can be acquired through direct transmission from an infected individual or by indirect contact such as sharing personal utensils. The infection targets the respiratory system causing inflammation and desquamation; symptoms will appear after an incubation period of 1 to 3 days. This is a self-limiting disease and can cause life-threatening effects if not treated earlier.

The client will manifest sinusitis, dyspnea, sore throat, nasal stuffiness, nasal discharges, dry cough, fever, chills, malaise, headache and myalgia. The common prevention is vaccination of flu for children and for adults. To manage the manifestations this are several ways:

For sinusitis - avoid too much exposure to cold weather and dusty environment. Always use a cloth when sneezing. Dispose properly the used tissue.

For sore throat -Avoid drinking acidic beverages such as sodas. Always make sure that the water you drink is warm to provide a relief and loosen secretions. Oral cavity hygiene is implemented like brushing, gargle with mouthwash and flossing to decrease the multiplication of infectious agent.

For nasal stuffiness - do not blow your nose hardly because this can lead to decrease oxygen in the brain and causes severe headache. Instead, increase water consumption to loosen the mucus in the nose. If you sneeze, do not cover one nostril instead it should be together or blow once.

Nasal discharges- nasal discharges are common to release mucus that blocks the airway and can impede breathing. All you have to do is dispose properly the use waste materials for wiping nasal discharge. However, take note for the color of the discharge, such as if it is still clear or if the color change to yellow this means that there is a presence of an infection and if the discharge is green, you had better consult your doctor because this is a big indication of severe infection and antibiotic is needed.

Dry cough - the management for dry cough is oral hydration or consuming 3000 ml per day of water to loosen the mucus that are harden and stick to the passages such as esophagus. The doctor prescribes a mucolytic. Cover your mouth when you cough to avoid transmission of the virus. If dry cough does not heal for over 30 days, referral is advisable to determine for presence of other microorganism in the lungs. If influenza is not treated this can be a complication to mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Fever- tepid sponge bath is needed to promote evaporation together with an antipyretic medication. Make sure to monitor the temperature.

Simple ways can do to avoid severe complications of flu. Just enhance and boost the immune system for resistance of viruses and bacteria.