Influenza

Seasonal Influenza and H1N1 virus (Swine Flu)

Influenza is an acute viral respiratory infection that tends to occur in the winter months.
The two main types of influenza causing disease in the UK are influenza type A and B,
but new strains and variants of the virus emerge each year with the newest being “Swine Flu/ A1N1 virus”.

The incubation period is 2-3 days and cases are infectious from 1 day before the onset of symptoms and remain infectious for up to 5 days. Outbreaks may spread rapidly in sheltered communities and communal settings such as schools and care homes and some types of sheltered housing where they have shared facilities and dining rooms.

When the number of cases exceeds that normally expected, this is defined as an epidemic. If a completely new strain of influenza virus emerges, to which the population has no previous immunity, it may result in a global outbreak, known as a pandemic.

The onset of influenza is sudden with symptoms which may include:
•    a high fever (> 38.9 0 C),
•    dry cough,
•    headache,
•    aches and pains in the joints and muscles,
•    chills and a general feeling of tiredness.

Fever usually reduces after the second day and the nose may become stuffy and a sore throat may develop. People with influenza should stay at home and rest, drink plenty of fluids and may find symptom relief with painkillers, cough mixture etc.
Antibiotics are not required unless there is also a bacterial infection.

Who is at risk?

Most people recover from influenza within a few days. However, influenza may be
serious in newborn babies, people aged over 65 years and people of any age with
existing chronic diseases. High-risk conditions include:

• People with cardiac, respiratory, renal and liver disease and those with impaired immune systems.

• Bronchitis and secondary bacterial infections such as pneumonia can result in hospital

admission and can be life-threatening.

How is influenza spread?

Influenza is highly infectious and spread by the coughs and sneezes or via the environment contaminated with respiratory droplets. Therefore the infection spreads easily within households and over-crowded or confined areas. Cleanliness, washing hands and using appropriate disinfectants and cleaning products will reduce the risk of contamination.

How can influenza be prevented?

Each year a new influenza vaccine is developed which provides immunity against the
strains of influenza circulating that year. Every autumn the vaccine is offered to anyone aged over 65 years, people with a high-risk condition and their carers, people residing in care homes and front-line health and social care staff. Antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) can be offered to at-risk groups when influenza is circulating in the community.

How can the spread of influenza be avoided?

People with influenza should:

• Try to stay away from contact with others during the infectious period

• Stay in their own home.

• Use disposable tissues and wash hands after coughing and sneezing

Carers should:

• Wash their hands before and after giving care, use hand gel as appropriate, wear appropriate PPE (  Personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons) before handling personal clothing or bedding, used tissues or items contaminated with respiratory secretions.
• Keep the environment clean.

The most important advice is
WASH HANDS
SNEEZE OR COUGH INTO A TISSUE AND DISPOSE OF THE TISSUE IN A CLOSED BIN
WASH HANDS
WEAR GOLVES AND APRONS WHEN DELIVERING CARE
WASH HANDS
USE HAND GEL
AND FINALLY WASH HANDS AGAIN.