HEALTH ALERT ! Influenza’ s coming to town…

posted by: Mam Cherry Viloria, Practical Nursing Instructor    

     As rainy days will set in, we have to be alert and prepared to any sickness / diseases that it may bring.  One of these is “Influenza”, also known as FLU. Influenza is a viral infection of the air passage caused by Haemophillus Influensae Virus.  This viral infection can be transmitted to other person through air or droplet nuclei, such as sneezing and coughing. Children, especially those who come to school and elderly are susceptible of having this kind of disease.  A person with this kind of infection may experience having fever, chills, joints and muscle pains, cough and body malaise or weakness.  Moreover, congested or runny nose, red watery eyers, sore throat, headache and loss of appetite are also its clinical manifestations.

     Is Influenza easily treated? Yes, it is.

     How? By having adequate rest period during the whole course of the disease. Stay at home to avoid spreading the infection to tohers.  Basically hospitalization is not really required not unless it worsens.  Eating nuntritious foods and drinking plenty of water and juice are helpful.  Medicines for fever, cough and pain can be used as well.

     Here’s how we can prevent influenza:

     > Stay Fit. 

     > Eat a well balanced diet.

     > Have a regular exercise. 

     > Avoid exposing yourself to crowded places like malls etc… 

     > And lastly, visit you doctor and be immunized with flu vaccine.