Influenza-like illness: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:43, 15 February 2025

Overview of influenza-like illness

Overview[edit]

Diagram illustrating the global spread of influenza-like illnesses.

Influenza-like illness (ILI) is a medical diagnosis of possible influenza or another illness causing a set of common symptoms. These symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, and fatigue. ILI is a clinical diagnosis and is often used in public health surveillance to monitor the spread of influenza and other respiratory viruses.

Symptoms[edit]

The symptoms of influenza-like illness are similar to those of influenza and can include:

These symptoms can vary in severity and duration, and not all individuals will experience all symptoms.

Causes[edit]

Influenza-like illness can be caused by a variety of viruses, including:

These viruses are spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of influenza-like illness is primarily clinical, based on the presence of symptoms. Laboratory tests, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, can be used to confirm the presence of specific viruses, such as the influenza virus.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for influenza-like illness is generally supportive and may include:

Rest
Hydration
Over-the-counter medications for symptom relief, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen

In some cases, antiviral medications may be prescribed, particularly if influenza is confirmed and the patient is at high risk for complications.

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures for influenza-like illness include:

Vaccination against influenza
Frequent hand washing
Avoiding close contact with sick individuals
Covering coughs and sneezes

Public Health Surveillance[edit]

Influenza-like illness is monitored by public health agencies to track the spread of influenza and other respiratory viruses. Surveillance data helps inform public health responses and vaccination strategies.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Influenza-like Illness''' (ILI), also known as '''flu-like syndrome''' or '''flu-like symptoms''', represents a broad clinical diagnosis encompassing potential influenza or other illnesses that elicit a shared group of common symptoms. These symptoms often manifest as a constellation of systemic discomforts which can mimic an influenza infection.
+{{Short description|Overview of influenza-like illness}}
+{{About|the medical condition|the virus|Influenza virus}}
-== Clinical Presentation ==
+==Overview==
+[[File:WhoLab15.GIF|thumb|right|300px|Diagram illustrating the global spread of influenza-like illnesses.]]
-Symptoms of ILI typically appear suddenly and may include:
+'''Influenza-like illness''' (ILI) is a medical diagnosis of possible [[influenza]] or another illness causing a set of common symptoms. These symptoms include [[fever]], [[cough]], [[sore throat]], [[muscle pain]], [[headache]], and [[fatigue]]. ILI is a clinical diagnosis and is often used in public health surveillance to monitor the spread of influenza and other respiratory viruses.
+==Symptoms==
+The symptoms of influenza-like illness are similar to those of influenza and can include:
 * [[Fever]]
-* [[Shivering]] and [[chills]]
+* [[Cough]]
-* [[Malaise]] (a general feeling of being unwell)
+* [[Sore throat]]
-* Dry [[cough]]
+* [[Runny nose]]
-* [[Loss of appetite]]
+* [[Muscle pain]]
-* Body aches (myalgia)
+* [[Headache]]
-* [[Nausea]]
+* [[Fatigue]]
-It's important to note that while these symptoms are associated with influenza, they are non-specific and can be caused by various other viral or bacterial infections.
-== Underlying Mechanism ==
-The aforementioned symptoms are primarily triggered by the release of cytokines, which are small proteins that play crucial roles in cell signaling. During an immune response, cytokines are released by the immune system to coordinate the body's response against infection. They may induce fever, stimulate the production of inflammation-related proteins, and trigger various other biological processes involved in the defense against pathogens.
+These symptoms can vary in severity and duration, and not all individuals will experience all symptoms.
-Consequently, the symptoms of ILI largely reflect the body's immune response rather than the specific effects of the infecting pathogen.
+==Causes==
+Influenza-like illness can be caused by a variety of [[viruses]], including:
+* [[Influenza virus]]
+* [[Rhinovirus]]
+* [[Coronavirus]]
+* [[Adenovirus]]
+* [[Respiratory syncytial virus]] (RSV)
-== Differential Diagnosis ==
+These viruses are spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
-While influenza is a common cause of ILI, many other infectious agents can induce a similar constellation of symptoms. These can include other respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human metapneumovirus. Certain bacterial infections, such as those caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae, can also present as ILI.
+==Diagnosis==
+Diagnosis of influenza-like illness is primarily clinical, based on the presence of symptoms. Laboratory tests, such as [[polymerase chain reaction]] (PCR) tests, can be used to confirm the presence of specific viruses, such as the influenza virus.
-The diagnosis of the specific cause of ILI involves considerations of the patient's epidemiological exposure, the presence of distinguishing clinical features, and sometimes specific diagnostic testing such as rapid antigen tests, PCR, or cultures.
+==Treatment==
+Treatment for influenza-like illness is generally supportive and may include:
+* Rest
+* Hydration
+* Over-the-counter medications for symptom relief, such as [[acetaminophen]] or [[ibuprofen]]
-== Management ==
+In some cases, antiviral medications may be prescribed, particularly if influenza is confirmed and the patient is at high risk for complications.
-Management of ILI is primarily supportive and aims at relieving symptoms while the body's immune system clears the infection. This may include rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications to manage fever and body aches. In some cases, antiviral medication may be prescribed, especially in the context of confirmed or suspected influenza infection in a patient who is at high risk of complications.
+==Prevention==
+Preventive measures for influenza-like illness include:
+* [[Vaccination]] against influenza
+* Frequent hand washing
+* Avoiding close contact with sick individuals
+* Covering coughs and sneezes
-== See Also ==
+==Public Health Surveillance==
+Influenza-like illness is monitored by public health agencies to track the spread of influenza and other respiratory viruses. Surveillance data helps inform public health responses and vaccination strategies.
+==Related pages==
 * [[Influenza]]
 * [[Common cold]]
-* [[Acute respiratory infection]]
+* [[Viral infection]]
-== References ==
+* [[Public health]]
-* Silvennoinen H, Peltola V, Vainionpää R, Ruuskanen O. (2009) "Clinical presentation of influenza in unselected children treated as outpatients". Pediatr Infect Dis J. 28 (5): 372–5. doi:10.1097/INF.0b013e31819194f0. PMID 19395931.
-* Rothberg MB, Haessler SD (2010). "Complications of seasonal and pandemic influenza". Crit Care Med. 38 (4 Suppl): e91–7. doi:10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181c92eeb. PMID 20228682.
-* Monto AS (2002). "The seasonality of rhinovirus infections and its implications for clinical recognition". Clin Ther. 24 (12): 1987–97. doi:10.1016/S0149-2918(02)80097-3. PMID 12581533.
-{{stub}}
-{{General symptoms and signs}}
+[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
-{{Influenza}}
+[[Category:Respiratory diseases]]
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Influenza-Like Illness}}
-[[Category:Influenza]]
-[[Category:Symptoms]]
-[[Category:Medical signs]]
-[[Category:Syndromes]]