The small changes in the same subtype which we called antigenic drift they are the cause of seasonal influenza. And in temperate climates, these seasonal epidemics mainly occur during the winter.
In tropical climates, they can occur throughout the year, and we often have still one or two peaks and in tropical climates. The severity is the morbidity and mortality of seasonal influenza viruses also vary from year to year.
And the varying seasonal severity is reflecting in the ability of pre-existing immunity to combat a changed virus, also the increasing level of immunity to a changing virus over seasons and differences in viral virulence the ability so to cause disease and complications.
Seasonal influenza is spreading very quickly. It spread by aerosol droplets, infected person coughing and sneezing, and contaminated surfaces which are touched by an infected people.
Seasonal-Influenza-cause-symptoms-and Treatment
Sign and symptoms of seasonal influenza
Seasonal influenza is showing a sudden onset of -:
- fever
- cough (usually dry),
- headache,
- muscle and joint pain
- severe malaise (feeling unwell),
- sore throat,
- and a runny nose.
The incubation period is two days, but it can be as short as 1 – 5 days.
Generally, it is a one-week self-limiting condition. Still, sometimes complications can occur. They can include lower and upper respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia and other organs, so there is myocarditis, encephalitis, myositis, and death.
Prevention And Treatment of seasonal influenza
The most important way to cure seasonal influenza is vaccination. There are several vaccines available in a different country.
Antivirals available in some countries can reduce complications. Antiviral like Neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir)and M2 protein-inhibitors (adamantanes): resistance is seen.
Apart from these, public health management can include personal protective measures like-:
- cover mouth during coughing and sneezing.
- Wash hands with soap and with handwash.
- Maintain social distance from others and avoid contact with other people.
- Avoid touching the nose and eyes.
- Avoid eating raw animal food.
How to Flu Spread and mode of transmission of flu or influenza
- There are two modes of transmission one from animal to human and, second is from human to human.
- Luckily most of the human cases with these zoonotic influenza viruses occur from animal to human transmission. Meaning the person is infected with the influenza virus from contact with an infected animal.
- Contact meaning touching the birds; contact with the bird’s body during slaughtering or processing, coming into contact with the blood the feces or any other secretions from infected animals.
- The second mode of transmission again very rare is that one human is infected with these viruses and can spread that virus directly to another human.
Summery
Influenza (Flu) is an infectious or contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that infect the throat, nose, and sometimes the lungs.
Influenza viruses are categorized as influenza A viruses, influenza B viruses, influenza C viruses, and influenza D viruses.
Influenza viruses are mainly transmitted from animals to humans and not transmitted between human to human. Flu or influenza is either seasonal or zoonotic.
Influenza A virus causes epidemics and pandemics and can affect many species like pigs, birds, humans, horses, etc.
The small changes in the same subtype, which we called antigenic drift they are the cause of the seasonal epidemic influenza. And in temperate climates, these seasonal epidemics mainly occur during the winter.
Seasonal influenza is spreading very quickly. It spread by aerosol droplets, infected person coughing and sneezing, and contaminated surfaces which are touched by an infected people.
Seasonal flu or influenza show symptoms like fever cough (usually dry), headache, muscle and joint pain severe malaise (feeling unwell), sore throat, and a runny nose.
The most important way to cure seasonal influenza or seasonal flu is vaccination. There are several vaccines available in a different country.