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- Written By: Deborah Ng
- Edited By: Niki Foster
- Last Modified Date: 03 December 2011
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2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
Influenza, or the flu, is a viral infection affecting the respiratory tract. Symptoms of the flu include fever, runny nose, stuffed up nose, fatigue, headache, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and achy muscles and joints. Keep in mind that these are flu-like symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you're afflicted with influenza. If one suspects influenza, it would be a good idea to visit the doctor. Not only is the flu contagious, but if not treated, it could become severe and even fatal.
Influenza is spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs around other people. Particles are passed through the air where they will infect those with whom they come in contact. If an infected person uses a telephone, the infection can also be passed on to the next person to use the phone. Since the infected person may not know she has influenza, she can touch many items without realizing she has passed the virus along to others.
There's no cure for influenza as of this writing. Those wishing to take every precaution can get a flu shot every year. The elderly, pregnant and very young are especially urged to protect themselves in this manner. It's also recommended that those with compromised immune systems or chronic ailments, such as asthma, get the shot each year.
Infected people can take care not to pass on the virus to others. In addition to covering the mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze, they should frequently wash their hands and do their best not to come in contact with other people. Anyone suffering from influenza is urged to stay home from work or school. Even the busiest employer would much rather an infected person stay home than start a work-place epidemic. To venture outside the home is only inviting a disastrous chain of events. A large number of people can become infected if just one infected person rides a crowded subway or goes to a movie theater.
The best thing one can do if one is suffering from influenza is stay home, drink plenty of fluids and rest. If a doctor's visit is required, a prescription for an anti-viral will no doubt be issued. Alcohol and cigarettes or other tobacco products can only lower one's immunity. An infected person would be well advised to stay away from these products at least until after recovery.
If symptoms persist or the influenza gets worse, it's best to see a doctor. The last thing anyone wants is to become sicker. There's no cure for the flu, but at least we can take measures to prevent spreading the virus.
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anon54387
Post 5 |
that's in addition to eating normally as once increased/decreased heart rate is determined present during fever your body will likely burn more calories. You will want virus patients to eat heartily until full. once they can handle spicier food, graduate from bread and bland foods to broth and chicken noodle soup.
vomiting can be healthy and unhealthy as it can be a sign you're not getting a sufficient caloric intake if profuse enough, hence my malnutrition and dehydration statements. regards-j |
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anon54385
Post 4 |
I hope someone will contact a doctor and recommend doing this, because obese people will need to eat more than a daily requirement by a hospital due to reducing calories will weaken the immune system.
people will need to eat until full and drink water, especially if sweating occurs during viral outbreak. They can monitor the patient's heart rate and temp until it returns to normal to let them rest when it is. This will help reduce deaths related to these incidents in my opinion. fever is a sign of accelerated heart rate and is mildly induced during exercise, due to an increase of blood supply. like pouring water into a balloon makes it harder to squeeze, the increase of virus registering as an increase of blood causing the heart to pump harder/erratically. |
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anon54384
Post 3 |
Fever temperatures are synonymous with the temperatures at which water evaporates. i believe erratic heart rates are the cause of blood loss by the fever temp evaporating the blood supply, which is why you're seeing sweat.
Sweat = evaporated blood, as this is where water content would come from. Make sure your patients are alert during fever. They can rest but make sure they are talkative as they will pass out if fever is severe enough. Let them rest and sleep when the fever is over and they have eaten and drink plenty of water. Bland foods will help if there is vomiting, and profuse vomiting means they are not getting calories they need. Foods like bread, noodles without broth and unsalted crackers should help reduce acid levels in blood and settle their stomach. at the very least it will help their immune system. I believe many viral deaths are being caused by malnutrition and dehydration. Sweating is a sign you're losing water. fever and sweating can be beneficial in states like exercise and dangerous under prolonged conditions. |
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anon54383
Post 2 |
I have detected a medical error involving fever. It states a fever is a beneficial part of a disease outbreak. I believe this is not true. A fever is the result of a rapid heart rate, it's a sign of dehydration and that your body is overheating.
I'm hoping a medical doctor treating a fever patient will humor me and take their pulse. Low fever you should see dangerously high heart rate, high fever (103+) dangerously slow heart rate. I believe this is caused by the virus registering as an increase of blood causing the heart to pump harder and faster until it cannot pump depending on how fast the virus grows. Its essential that you feed your patients food and water during a fever because it will help cool them down and prevent dehydration. |
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anon9196
Post 1 |
I have tested positive for influenza A (nasal swab). My symptoms are: Fluctuating temperature, shakes, nasal and throat congestion, coughing, ear ache.
I am 67 years old, and a diabetic. there are approximately 4 out of 32 residents in this (nursing home) ward who have exhibited symptoms. We have 6 wards altogether. All of the residents showing symptoms were isolated as was the ward from the rest of the home.
However, staff have been allowed to work in other wards, whether they exhibited symptoms or not. Im not sure of the wisdom or is influenza A not to be feared. |
