The past few years of pandemic have made people very aware of the viruses and how the spread occurs. But not all viruses are alike and viruses can differ in shapes, structure, the genetic material, and also in terms of the host they are going to infect. Even the way of transmission is different for different viruses. One thing that is common among most viruses is that they all replicate inside the living cells of an organism.
Let's get back to the topic though. In this article, we will be addressing the question "What is Flu" and how pneumonia is related to it.
WHAT IS FLU?
Flu is caused by influenza virus and is very commonly seen every year in form of seasonal flu epidemic Epidemic is basically occurrence of infectious disease in a community at a particular time. Flu basically targets nose, throat, and lungs.
There are two main types of flu viruses: Type A and Type B and these are categorized as human influenza viruses (CDC)
According to Developmental Disabilities Administration, approximately 20,000 people die every year from the flu,
and 50,000 die from pneumonia in United States alone.
FLU SYMPTOMS:
The symptoms vary person to person, but listed below are the common symptoms:
- fever/ feverish chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue (tiredness)
- Vomiting and Diarrhea (common in children)
WHAT IS PNEUMONIA?
Pneumonia is not necessarily linked to viruses. It is infection causing inflammation of lungs and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and even fungi.
Why is pneumonia so scary? A patient with pneumonia has the air sacs in the lungs filled with pus and other liquid, which in turn leads to oxygen being blocked from reaching the bloodstream. Oxygen not reaching bloodstream leads to the life-threatening complications.
As said earlier, pneumonia is not just the complication resulting from flu but could be caused by other agents too but it can certainly be a flu complication. Now that does not mean that every case of flu leads to pneumonia but a few can become complicated in terms of pneumonia.
PNEUMONIA SYMPTOMS:
- Cough, with greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus.
- Fever, shaking/feverish chills.
- Shortness of breath.
- Rapid, shallow breathing.
- Sharp or Stabbing chest pain that gets worse on breathing deeply or coughing.
- Loss of appetite
- Low energy/fatigue.
FLU AND PNEUMONIA
Normally flu lasts 2 weeks and person mostly recovers after that. In case of pneumonia, that might not be the case and things can worsen in such a way that hospitalization could be needed. The sad truth is that Pneumonia is often the final illness in people who have other serious, chronic
diseases.
If you have a milder case of pneumonia, you should feel better in a few days or a week. If you have severe pneumonia and are admitted to the hospital, it may take many weeks for you to recover.
People at Higher Risk of Flu-Related Complications:
• Pregnant women
• People living in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People with certain medical conditions, such as neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions (seizure disorders, cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities), heart disease, weakened immune systems, kidney disorders, liver disorders, and others
• People with certain medical conditions, such as neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions (seizure disorders, cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities), heart disease, weakened immune systems, kidney disorders, liver disorders, and others
Patients at Higher Risk of Pneumonia Complications:
• Patients with recent viral respiratory infection
• Patients with difficulties swallowing
• Patients with chronic lung disorders
• Patients with cerebral palsy
• Patients who recently underwent surgery or trauma
• Patients who smoke
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION:
Antibiotics are ineffective against viral pneumonia. Drinking plenty of fluids, corticosteroid prescription (to lower inflammation), oxygen therapy, and rest are possible treatments for viral pneumonia.
Bacterial Pneumonia could be treated with antibiotics and in severe cases, is administered intravenously.
In case of complications, chest X-rays, blood works could be ordered to closely recognize the complication.
Antiviral drugs are also administered in some case but those are said to work best when administered within 2 days of infection.
The home treatments sometimes can help too, which includes drinking lots of fluids, resting a lot, avoiding unnecessary medications without doctor's advice, consulting doctor as needed.
Prevention and Preventative care is the key here!
Get your Flu Shots/Vaccines on time!
Flu vaccines are life saviors here. the best time to get these shots is early October to mid-November but you could get it anytime during the flu season. Flu shots are administered and needed every year because the virus is constantly changing/ mutating and new vaccines are developed every year to protect against new strains.
General Precautions during flu season can also help you from catching infection:
I think Pandemic has made these general precautions a common norm in our community but listing a few below:
• Social Distancing: Keep a safe distance from sick persons like we all did during COVID-19 pandemic.
• If feasible, stay at home for at least 24 hours after a fever or symptoms of flu to avoid spreading.
• When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, then throw it away and wash your hands.
• Wash your hands with soap and water on a regular basis. If hand washing is not an option, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be used.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Limit your exposure to cigarette smoke.
• Take careful care of any medical difficulties that arise.
I am attaching a pdf down below which I really liked in terms of explanation, and it even explains COVID symptoms and how could you tell overlap between COVID, influenza, and pneumonia