Influenza and Pneumonia
Health and Wellness » Respiratory Care in India » Influenza and PneumoniaAccording to research made, it has been noticed that there is temporal relation between the activity of influenza and pneumonia bacteria. This relation was emphasized in 20th century pandemics, reviewed by Brundage. Before knowing the relation between these two illnesses, you must know individually what is the meaning of both these problems.
Influenza and Pneumonia
What is Influenza?
Influenza is the flu which occurs due to infection caused by influenza virus. Influenza is of two types - influenza A and influenza B. Both viruses can have the same signs. It starts with a sudden fever, sore muscles, chills and a dry cough with sore throat, weakness and headache and appetite loss. Many old people get confused when they have flu. Such signs get improved within some days, but feeling of weakness for some weeks is followed by the illness.
Influenza has the capacity to weaken the body that can contract pneumonia. Influenza is the most common complication found out so far now. Influenza and pneumonia together are the fourth leading reason for death among American women and the fifth leading death cause among all Americans who are more than 65.
The vaccine for influenza has been administered for protecting children of age 6-23 months. If adults or children want to avoid the chances of getting this virus infection, then they should take it as per the priority group set by CDC in response to national flue shortage of vaccine.
What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is another infection affecting the lungs, making it a severe problem. Usually pneumonia is caused die to influenza virus, but more often it is due to bacterial infection called Streptococcus pneumonia. The most common signs of pneumonia are fever, trouble breathing or cough bringing phlegm. Older people having this illness may not get fever. Diagnosing this illness is possible through chest x-ray.
How Serious is Influenza and Pneumonia?
Both influenza and pneumonia are dangerous for older people. When any old person gets flu, then he might take few weeks to get cured. As said, the common cause of pneumonia is either from the influenza virus or from the infection that starts when the person is weakened from influenza. Pneumonia due to some bacteria can be severe especially for the people having heart failure, diabetes, cancer or emphysema, making it difficult for bodies to recover from it.
Influenza is unpleasant due to factors like cough, fever or body pain. This illness gets severe further due to bacterial pneumonia, which is a harmful super-infection. Researchers found that influenza facilitates this infection with pneumonia bacteria which leads to a decrease of immune cells in the blood and impairing the body's defenses.
Preventing Influenza and Pneumonia
It is well said that prevention is always better than cure. When both of this illness gets contracted, all that can work is medicine and rest. To prevent this illness, the most common way is to get the vaccination for both the illnesses. It is highly advised that you must get the vaccination done as quickly as possible if they are at a high risk. People who are included at high risk are:
- Pregnant women
- Individuals who have chronic conditions in lungs, diabetes, heart or kidney disease or long-term aspirin therapy.
- Children somewhere around the ages of six to 23 months
- People of 65 years old or above
- Health care and household personnel that provide direct contact and care
Make sure you avoid any contact with the people who are affected with influenza and pneumonia. Ensure that you clean your hands daily, so that spread of the bacteria can be prevented. Cleaning the house surfaces is advisable as in an unclean area; viruses can survive and infect the people. Having good hygienic habit is necessary along with a proper healthy diet. You must take care of small things like maintaining cleanliness or washing hands after sneezing or touching any dirty area.