Influenza is a type of virus that is the most common cause of flu infections. There are 3 forms of influenza called A, B and C. Type B only causes disease in humans and usually progresses as simple flu. We don't come across type C very often. However, type A usually has serious subgroups and can be carried by animals such as birds, pigs and horses other than humans. For this reason, its subgroups are called H1N1 swine and H5N1 bird flu. These names have become known to everyone due to the widespread epidemics of swine and bird flu in recent years.

Flu begins suddenly after an incubation period of 2-3 days. High fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness and loss of appetite are frequently observed symptoms. The fever usually lasts three days. After the fever subsides, an increase may be detected again. Burning in the throat, runny nose, dry cough and extreme fatigue are other symptoms.

Flu symptoms last about a week in healthy people, although fatigue and fatigue may last longer. Life-threatening complications may occur in those with underlying disease, immunodeficiency, young children and the elderly. Lung complications are the most common flu complications. Pulmonary complications can occur as pneumonia caused by the direct effect of the virus or pneumonia due to the addition of bacteria. Pneumonia caused directly by the virus is common in chronic heart and lung patients and mortality rates are very high. Pneumonia caused by bacterial addition is common in the elderly and those with chronic lung, heart and metabolic diseases (such as diabetes), has lower mortality rates and responds to antibiotic treatment.

Diagnosis can usually be made easily within minutes with a nasal swab test. This test is simple but does not provide information about the subgroups of the virus, it only detects types A and B. In addition, detecting the virus in samples such as runny nose and sputum or detecting antibodies against the disease in the blood are more advanced and definitive diagnostic methods. They detect the virus and its subtypes, but these methods are time-consuming.

Bed rest and plenty of fluid intake are important in treatment. Antibiotics have no place in the treatment. While painkillers and antipyretics are effective in reducing complaints, the real treatment is antiviral drugs that should be started in the first 24-36 hours. Additionally, complications should be closely monitored and treated appropriately. For protection, it is important to clean hands, avoid using shared glasses, towels, etc., frequently ventilate the living spaces, and avoid close contact with sick people.

Every year, the World Health Organization creates a vaccine type appropriate to the virus type in the epidemic that year. These vaccines should be administered by November every year. The vaccine is recommended for people who have frequent flu complications and who are likely to transmit the disease to these patients, and for anyone over 6 months of age who wants to be protected from influenza and who is not allergic to eggs. Groups at high risk of influenza-related complications and mortality; People aged 65 and over, people of all ages living in a nursing home or in a health unit where chronic care is provided, chronic lung and heart patients, children between the ages of 6 months and 18 years who are given long-term aspirin treatment, people with chronic kidney and metabolic diseases, people with immune deficiency, high risk pregnant women. Those who are likely to transmit influenza to high-risk individuals; Vaccination is strongly recommended for doctors, nurses and other staff working in hospitals, nursing homes and chronic care health units, and those living in the same house with high-risk people.