Flu: diagnosis and treatment

FLU: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

CONTENT

• Introduction
• Symptoms
• Diagnostics
• Treatment
• Prevention
• Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

Every year, a huge number of people face the flu. Influenza is one of the most mysterious diseases that has accompanied our civilization for centuries. Optimists perceive it as a banal cold, because from a medical point of view it is a type of acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI). Pragmatists are very wary of this disease, because it is insidious, occurs suddenly and often leads to severe complications.

Symptoms of Flu:

• Fever (usually high)
• Headache
• Extreme tiredness
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle aches
• Stomach symptoms , such as nausea and diarrhea

DIAGNOSTICS

The following methods are used for laboratory diagnosis of influenza:

• Determination of the virus RNA in biological samples : nasopharyngeal swabs, blood, and saliva.

• Detection of virus antigens:

immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

• Hemagglutination inhibition test:

to detect antibodies to the virus in blood.

TREATMENT

• Symptomatic treatment includes antipyretics, plenty of warm fluids, and bed rest.

• Antiviral medications: Most effective in the first 48 hours after symptoms appear.

• Antibiotics: used only when bacterial complications develop

PREVENTION

The Flu Shot

• Vaccination is the only method of specific prevention of influenza.
• After vaccination, specific immunity to influenza type A and B viruses is formed

NON-SPECIFIC PREVENTION :

• Regular hand washing with soap, use of antiseptics.
• Avoid crowded places during the season of morbidity.
• Wear a mask, changing it every 2-4 hours.
• Keep a distance from people with obvious signs of disease.
• Ventilate the room more often
• Stick to a healthy lifestyle

CONCLUSION

There is no disagreement about the first mention of the disease. This event dates back to 412 BC. It was then that Hippocrates described a case of a disease that was highly contagious and manifested by fever, pain in muscles and bones, common catarrhal phenomena (cough, runny nose, sore throat).

Тhank you for your attention