Influenza: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Symptoms of influenza png whitebackground.png|thumb|Symptoms of influenza png whitebackground]] [[File:InfluenzaNomenclatureDiagram.svg|thumb|InfluenzaNomenclatureDiagram]] | {{Infobox medical condition (new) | ||
'''Influenza''', colloquially known as the '''flu''', is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. It spreads around the world in yearly outbreaks, resulting in about three to five million cases of severe illness and about 290,000 to 650,000 deaths | | name = Influenza | ||
| synonyms = flu, grippe (French for flu) | |||
| image = EM of influenza virus.jpg | |||
| caption = Influenza virus | |||
| field = [[Infectious disease (medical specialty)|Infectious disease]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Fever]], [[rhinorrhea|runny nose]], [[sore throat]], [[Myalgia|muscle pain]], [[headache]], [[cough]]ing, [[fatigue]] | |||
| complications = | |||
| onset = 1–4 days after exposure | |||
| duration = 2–8 days | |||
| causes = Influenza viruses | |||
| risks = | |||
| diagnosis = | |||
| differential = | |||
| prevention = [[Hand washing]], [[flu vaccine]]s | |||
| treatment = | |||
| medication = [[Antiviral drug]]s such as [[oseltamivir]] | |||
| prognosis = | |||
| frequency = 3–5 million severe cases per year | |||
| deaths = >290,000–650,000 deaths per year | |||
| alt = | |||
}} | |||
[[File:Symptoms of influenza png whitebackground.png|thumb|Symptoms of influenza png whitebackground]] [[File:InfluenzaNomenclatureDiagram.svg|thumb|left|InfluenzaNomenclatureDiagram]] | |||
'''Influenza''', colloquially known as the '''flu''', is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. It spreads around the world in yearly outbreaks, resulting in about three to five million cases of severe illness and about 290,000 to 650,000 deaths | |||
==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
Influenza viruses circulate in every part of the world. Type A influenza virus is the most dangerous, as it can cause severe disease and trigger pandemics. Influenza B can cause outbreaks but is usually less severe than type A. Influenza C typically causes mild illness in children | Influenza viruses circulate in every part of the world. Type A influenza virus is the most dangerous, as it can cause severe disease and trigger pandemics. Influenza B can cause outbreaks but is usually less severe than type A. Influenza C typically causes mild illness in children. | ||
==Symptoms== | ==Symptoms== | ||
Influenza is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise (feeling unwell), sore throat, and a runny nose. Most people recover from fever and other symptoms within a week without requiring medical attention. But influenza can cause severe illness or death in people at high risk | Influenza is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise (feeling unwell), sore throat, and a runny nose. Most people recover from fever and other symptoms within a week without requiring medical attention. But influenza can cause severe illness or death in people at high risk. | ||
==Transmission== | ==Transmission== | ||
The virus is transmitted easily from person to person via droplets and small particles produced when infected people cough or sneeze. Influenza virus may also be spread by direct or indirect contact with respiratory droplets from infected individuals | The virus is transmitted easily from person to person via droplets and small particles produced when infected people cough or sneeze. Influenza virus may also be spread by direct or indirect contact with respiratory droplets from infected individuals. | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Immunization with a yearly influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu. Antiviral drugs are also available and can reduce severe outcomes, but they are not a substitute for vaccination | Immunization with a yearly influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu. Antiviral drugs are also available and can reduce severe outcomes, but they are not a substitute for vaccination. | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
Antiviral drugs can treat influenza and are a second line of defense against complications. But these drugs need to be administered early (within 48 hours after symptom onset) and they may not be effective against all types of influenza virus | Antiviral drugs can treat influenza and are a second line of defense against complications. But these drugs need to be administered early (within 48 hours after symptom onset) and they may not be effective against all types of influenza virus. | ||
==Impact== | ==Impact== | ||
Influenza epidemics can severely affect the economy due to lost workforce productivity, extra healthcare costs, and strained healthcare services. In addition, pandemics can cause widespread illness and death, such as the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, which is estimated to have caused 20-50 million deaths worldwide | Influenza epidemics can severely affect the economy due to lost workforce productivity, extra healthcare costs, and strained healthcare services. In addition, pandemics can cause widespread illness and death, such as the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, which is estimated to have caused 20-50 million deaths worldwide. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Glossary of Influenza related terms]] | |||
* [[Influenza vaccine]] | * [[Influenza vaccine]] | ||
* [[Influenza pandemic]] | * [[Influenza pandemic]] | ||
* [[Avian influenza]] | * [[Avian influenza]] | ||
* [[Swine influenza]] | * [[Swine influenza]] | ||
{{Medical condition classification and resources | |||
|DiseasesDB=6791 | |||
|ICD10={{ICD10|J|10||j|09}}, {{ICD10|J|11||j|09}} | |||
|ICD9={{ICD9|487}} | |||
|OMIM=614680 | |||
|MedlinePlus=000080 | |||
|eMedicineSubj=med | |||
|eMedicineTopic=1170 | |||
|eMedicine_mult={{eMedicine2|ped|3006}} | |||
|MeshID=D007251 | |||
}} | |||
{{Influenza}} | |||
{{Respiratory pathology}} | |||
{{Viral diseases}} | |||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
[[Category:Infectious diseases]] | [[Category:Infectious diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Respiratory diseases]] | [[Category:Respiratory diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Viral diseases]] | [[Category:Viral diseases]] | ||
[[ | [[Category:Zoonoses]] | ||
[[Category:Influenza| ]] | |||
[[Category:Airborne diseases]] | |||
[[Category:Animal viral diseases]] | |||
[[Category:Healthcare-associated infections]] | |||
[[Category:Vaccine-preventable diseases]] | |||
Latest revision as of 05:03, 16 January 2025
| Influenza | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | flu, grippe (French for flu) |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Field | Infectious disease |
| Symptoms | Fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, coughing, fatigue |
| Complications | |
| Onset | 1–4 days after exposure |
| Duration | 2–8 days |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Influenza viruses |
| Risks | |
| Diagnosis | |
| Differential diagnosis | |
| Prevention | Hand washing, flu vaccines |
| Treatment | |
| Medication | Antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir |
| Prognosis | |
| Frequency | 3–5 million severe cases per year |
| Deaths | >290,000–650,000 deaths per year |
Influenza, colloquially known as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. It spreads around the world in yearly outbreaks, resulting in about three to five million cases of severe illness and about 290,000 to 650,000 deaths
Introduction[edit]
Influenza viruses circulate in every part of the world. Type A influenza virus is the most dangerous, as it can cause severe disease and trigger pandemics. Influenza B can cause outbreaks but is usually less severe than type A. Influenza C typically causes mild illness in children.
Symptoms[edit]
Influenza is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise (feeling unwell), sore throat, and a runny nose. Most people recover from fever and other symptoms within a week without requiring medical attention. But influenza can cause severe illness or death in people at high risk.
Transmission[edit]
The virus is transmitted easily from person to person via droplets and small particles produced when infected people cough or sneeze. Influenza virus may also be spread by direct or indirect contact with respiratory droplets from infected individuals.
Prevention[edit]
Immunization with a yearly influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu. Antiviral drugs are also available and can reduce severe outcomes, but they are not a substitute for vaccination.
Treatment[edit]
Antiviral drugs can treat influenza and are a second line of defense against complications. But these drugs need to be administered early (within 48 hours after symptom onset) and they may not be effective against all types of influenza virus.
Impact[edit]
Influenza epidemics can severely affect the economy due to lost workforce productivity, extra healthcare costs, and strained healthcare services. In addition, pandemics can cause widespread illness and death, such as the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, which is estimated to have caused 20-50 million deaths worldwide.
See also[edit]
- Glossary of Influenza related terms
- Influenza vaccine
- Influenza pandemic
- Avian influenza
- Swine influenza
| Influenza | ||||||||||
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| Diseases of the respiratory system | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Infectious diseases – viral systemic diseases | ||||||||||
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