Spread of Influenza
Influenza is a contagious disease, passed from one person to another. Saliva, nasal secretions, feces, and blood are all possible methods of transmission. Additionally, it can be transmitted via contacting the virus on infected surfaces.
Influenza on Various Degrees
The flu may initially appear to be a typical cold with runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat. Colds typically come on gradually, but the flu typically strikes rapidly. And while a cold might be annoying, the flu typically makes you feel considerably worse.
Neurological: fever, headache, and confusion
Respiratory: Dry cough, Sore throat, Nasal congestion
Muscles: Myalgia, Fatigue
Gastrointestinal: Nausea
Pregnancy: It increased the chance of preterm and infant perinatal mortality. Smaller neonatal size is another problem.
Global Burden of influenza:
Influenza is a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to estimates, 5-10% of adults and 20-30% of children globally contract influenza each year, resulting in 3-5 million cases of severe illness and roughly 1 million fatalities.
Influenza in Pakistan:
In Pakistan each year, the flu hospitalizes about 20000 childrens in Pakistan. Flu-related deaths have also been documented.
Additionally, the flu might exacerbate ongoing medical conditions. People with persistent congestive heart failure may experience worsening of this illness that is precipitated by the flu, and people with asthma may experience asthma episodes while they have the flu. People who are highly prone to flu-related complications are children under the age of 5, but especially those under the age of two, adults over the age of 65, and expectant mothers.
Influenza and Diabetes:
Diabetic people are at serious risk from influenza. Diabetes prevalence was predicted to increase from 9.3% in 2019 to 10.2% in 2030 and 10.9% in 2045. Type 2 diabetes is currently 16.98% prevalent in Pakistan. More and more evidence suggests that influenza can make diabetes symptoms worse for people six times as likely to require hospitalisation, three times as likely to die.
Influenza and COPD:
The flu is a serious risk for COPD patients. 65 million people worldwide are estimated to have moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 23% of children hospitalised for influenza had asthma, and 19% of adults with acute asthma in hospitals had influenza that was verified.
Influenza and Children:
Serious flu-related complications are more likely to occur in children under the age of five, especially those under two. Children of any age who have certain chronic health issues are also more susceptible; during the 2021–2022 flu season, 65% of children aged 0 to 17 who were hospitalised with the illness had at least one underlying condition, such as asthma, a neurologic disorder, obesity, or immune suppression.
For children, the flu is more deadly than the typical cold. Millions of youngsters fall ill with the seasonal flu each year, thousands are hospitalised, and some even pass away. Children, especially those under the age of five, frequently require medical attention due to the flu.
Influenza and Patients with CVDs:
Patients with CVDs are seriously at risk from influenza. 17.9 million individuals worldwide die from CVDs each year, accounting for 32% of all fatalities. In Pakistan, the prevalence of hypertension ranges from 9.9% to 41.4% for women and 17.3% to 25.3% for males.
A stroke is nearly three times more likely to occur in patients with influenza-like sickness within 15 days of their illness than at any other point within a year. Stroke risk is present for about 60 days.
Influenza and Older Age group:
Older age groups are seriously threatened by influenza. Due to a number of factors, including immunosenescence, older persons are more prone to infectious diseases. In Pakistan, the older age group is more commonly affected by influenza B. are more prone to experience problems and need hospitalisation for an acute illness like influenza. Over 30% of senior patients (> 70 years) who were hospitalised for an acute illness like the flu had a worse functional status after being released, either a new handicap or worsening of an existing one. After a year, just 30% of them had functionally recovered.
PREVENTION
Influenza vaccines, also known as flu shots, are vaccines that protect against infection by influenza viruses. New versions of the vaccines are developed twice a year, as the influenza virus rapidly changes. While their effectiveness varies from year to year, most provide modest to high protection against influenza.
The most effective way to prevent the disease is vaccination. Safe and effective vaccines are available and have been used for more than 60 years. Immunity from vaccination wanes over time so annual vaccination is recommended to protect against influenza. Injected inactivated influenza vaccines are most commonly used throughout the world.
Among healthy adults, influenza vaccine provides protection, even when circulating viruses do not exactly match the vaccine viruses. However, among the elderly, influenza vaccination may be less effective in preventing illness but reduces severity of disease and incidence of complications and deaths. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of influenza complications, and for people who live with or care for the people at high risk.
WHO recommends annual vaccination for:
- pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- children aged between 6 months to 5 years
- elderly individuals (aged more than 65 years)
- individuals with chronic medical conditions
- health-care workers.
Dr Salman Ahmad Bajwa
MBBS, RMP, FCPS (Peads)
Consultant Pediatrician
Email: dr@salmanbajwa.com
