By Dr V Mohammed Basha
Qatar generally has a very hot and humid climate during summer and very cold during winter. In this year during summer, the temperature went up to 52 degree centigrade and conditions got worse with increased humidity effecting human lives. Now the winter is approaching and many of the infectious diseases which were once eliminated from the world are re-occurring. So every person should be aware of these diseases. Influenza is the most common during the climate change — transition from summer to winter.
Commonly known as “the flu”, influenza is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. Symptoms can be mild to severe. The most common symptoms include: high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, cough and feeling tired. These symptoms typically begin two days after exposure to the virus and most last less than a week. The cough, however, may last for more than two weeks. In children, there may be nausea and vomiting but these are not common in adults.
For most people, influenza resolves on its own, but sometimes influenza and its complications can be deadly. People at higher risk of developing flu complications include: Young children under five, and especially those under two years. Adults older than 65, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, people who have chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes, people who are very obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher.
Usually, the virus is spread through the air from coughs or sneezes. This is believed to occur mostly over relatively short distances. It can also be spread by touching surfaces contaminated by the virus, like door handles. A person may be infectious to others both before and during the time they are sick. The infection may be confirmed by testing the throat, sputum, or nose for the virus.
Causes
Influenza is a cold weather illness. This is because the influenza virus is transmitted through airborne respiratory droplets that have been introduced into the air through coughs and sneezes. When a person who has influenza coughs or sneezes, he/she propels numerous influenza viruses onto the surrounding air which the people around them can breathe in.
When a child is infected with viral fever, close proximity with other children results in faster transmission of the virus, resulting in several others being infected. The immunity in a child is much lower compared to an adult hence the chance of being infected is extremely high. Closed environment is another reason for the spread of the infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms of influenza can start quite suddenly one to two days after infection. Usually the first symptoms are chills or a chilly sensation, but fever is also common early in the infection, with body temperatures ranging from 38 to 39°C. Many people are so ill that they are confined to bed for several days, with aches and pains throughout their bodies, which are worse in their backs and legs. Symptoms of influenza may include:
l Fever and extreme coldness
l Cough
l Nasal congestion
l Runny nose
l Sneezing
l Body aches, especially joints and throat
l Fatigue
l Headache
l Irritated, watering eyes
l Reddened eyes, skin (especially face), mouth, throat and nose
l Petechial rash
It can be difficult to distinguish between the common cold and influenza in the early stages of these infections, but flu can be identified by a high fever with a sudden onset and extreme fatigue. Influenza is a mixture of symptoms of common cold and pneumonia, body ache, headache, and fatigue. Diarrhoea is not normally a symptom of influenza in adults, although it has been seen in some human cases of the H5N1 “bird flu” and can be a symptom in children.
Preventions
In case of a child suffering from influenza, parents must see to it that the child is not send to the daycare or school.
Parents must ensure that their children avoid mingling with a viral infected child.
Hygiene is also extremely essential as it ensures a healthy living. Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
When the climate conditions have worsened, especially when it’s dusty and windy, it’s safer for the children to be indoors.
Warm food to be taken, avoid cold items. Nutrition is very important and must focus on high protein and calorie diet.
Warm clothing is a necessity covering the whole body. Wearing mufflers, gloves and socks is compulsory for children below 10 years when going outdoors.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy food.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Flu vaccines are available. Immunisation at the correct time is extremely important. It’s better to be taken during the months September – November. It’s very safe and has no side effects. It’s highly recommended for children above the age of six months to be vaccinated, especially those going to daycares. For children who have not been vaccinated earlier, 2 doses of vaccination separated by at least 4 weeks, and for all others, one vaccination every year is recommended.
l Dr V Mohammed Basha is a
specialist-paediatrics at Aster Medical Centre, C-Ring Road, Doha
Those at higher risk of developing flu complications include: Young children under five, and especially those under two years.
