Influenza. More than mom and chicken soup.
Influenza is an epidemic respiratory illness caused by one of three viral subtypes: A, B, or C. Influenza A causes higher mortality than influenza B and C and is often responsible for pandemics and yearly epidemics of this common, infectious disease. Clinically, patients with influenza present with an abrupt onset of fever, malaise, headache, and a dry, hoarse cough. These symptoms usually last three to five days. Amantadine and rimantadine may be used to prevent and to treat influenza A infection, but not B or C. Ribavirin, however, may be effective treatment for severe influenza pneumonia caused by either A or B subtype, although it is not FDA approved for this application. Annual influenza vaccination should be administered between mid-October and mid-November to any person at increased risk for complications. Health-care workers, those in close contact with high-risk individuals, and personnel vital to community function should also be immunized.
Bergen
G A
GA
University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, USA.
Gompf
S G
SG
Sakalosky
P A
PA
Sinnott
J T
JT
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus; D009981:Influenza B virus; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D009982:Gammainfluenzavirus; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007252:Influenza Vaccines