What is influenza?
Influenza is a disease of old people and other animals (birds, pigs …) and that causes epidemics every year, mainly during the winter months. This disease is different types of viruses that also can be combined between them to form a new flu.
Influenza is highly contagious and is spread easily from person to person through respiratory droplets or secretions that ousted the talking, coughing or sneezing.
Symptoms
Recognizing this condition is easy, because it behaves like the flu either. Consider ratifying it if it suddenly had:
* 1. At least one of these four symptoms:
Fever over 38 ยบ C.
or malaise.
or headache.
or muscle aches.
* 2. And besides, at least one of these three symptoms:
Cough.
or sore throat.
o Difficulty breathing.
Occasionally they can appear nausea and vomiting.
Every so often the virus can change into many different types from those that existed in previous years and compared to that, being new, we have no defense for what is spread far more people than usual. Everyone can get.
Throughout history there have been several pandemics, such as the 1918 Spanish flu. The pandemic caused many deaths were not available because of health systems with which we now have and I had a high virulence.
The current pandemic is caused by a new subtype of influenza A (H1N1), and so far has a mild, although this could change over the months.
Seasonal Flu
Seasonal influenza is presented each year during the winter months. Every year people die because of complications caused by it and therefore it is recommended to get vaccinated persons are more likely to suffer complications.
This year also is expected to be seasonal flu. Many people are already protected by defenses have generated in previous years. However, as every year, has developed a vaccination campaign targeting the usual population groups.
Although the seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against the new influenza virus A (H1N1), unanimously recommended that all persons belonging to the usual risk groups are vaccinated, as they do every year.
It is possible that both flu could overlap in time.
The antiviral and vaccine
Drugs that are being used to treat influenza in the manner established clinical protocols are called antivirals.
Two drugs: oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu) and zanamivir (with the brand name Relenza). None of these drugs cure. Act by reducing the duration of the disease in about a day and the possibility of complications. Therefore, currently only indicated in people with influenza requiring hospitalization or those which, until now, have a higher chance of complications.
In these individuals is considered that, before the diagnosis of influenza, the benefit of the administration of these drugs outweighs the risk of potential side effects have any medicine.
Like all medicines, Tamiflu and Relenza, have side effects and contraindications, therefore, must be a physician to decide when to take them. Expert Groups reassess continuously, protocols and indications for treatment.
The pandemic influenza vaccine (H1N1) is available from 16 November to the population groups identified as priorities by the Inter-Territorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS) to receive pandemic vaccine, which initially are:
Pregnant women
* Socio-health workers
All workers or health facilities, both primary and hospital care, public and private.
Staff employed in homes and elderly care centers and chronically ill persons who have contact with vulnerable people.
* People working in essential public services
or forces and state security bodies, with national unit, regional or local level.
or Fire.
or civil protection services.
or people working on mobile services health emergencies.
or workers from other prisons and detention centers by court order.
* People older than 6 months of age, to present a special medical condition, have an increased risk of complications from infection with the pandemic virus (H1N1) 2009. These clinical conditions are:
or chronic cardiovascular disease (excluding hypertension).
or chronic respiratory diseases (including broncho-pulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and moderate-severe persistent asthma).
or diabetes mellitus type I and type II with medical therapy.
or moderate-severe renal insufficiency.
or Hemoglobinopathies and moderate-severe anemia.
o Lack of spleen.
or advanced chronic liver disease.
or severe neuromuscular diseases.
or immunocompromised patients (including those caused by HIV infection, or drugs, or transplant recipients).
or morbid obesity (body mass index less than 40).
o Persons under 18 years receiving prolonged treatment with aspirin, for the chance of developing Reye syndrome.
In our country, vaccination is voluntary, even in groups where it is recommended as a priority, as has happened in every vaccination campaigns have been carried out.
The vaccine does not always prevent the disease, but gives it some protection by reducing the risk of complications.
If in doubt, consult your doctor.
Actions Ministry of Health and Social Policy and Health Councils of the Autonomous Communities
Ministry of Health and Social Policy and Health Councils of the Autonomous Communities.
For years it has a plan for preparedness and response to pandemic influenza. The Expert Committees and Subcommittees are working, for months, in the preparation and updating of specific protocols, monitoring of the pandemic and in proposing and implementing measures, both clinical and social, to help manage the pandemic.
Spain has a reserve of 15 million antiviral treatment to be provided to all who need it, once valued by health professionals.
The Government, by unanimous agreement of all the Autonomous Communities, has commissioned new virus vaccines against influenza A (H1N1) to 18 million people. The calculation was made taking into account the population most likely to suffer complications and those working in essential services to the community in these circumstances.
Our National Health System is ready and adapting every day to face this situation and all administrations are coordinated.
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