As we continue to fight COVID 19, the world has entered a “new normal”. This “new norm” will help us fight COVID 19, but also other infectious diseases. Influenza is one of those that will be helped by the “new norm”.
Influenza or flu as it is more commonly called, is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the influenza viruses. It affects around 9% the population of the world every year. It is easy to think that the flu is a common disease. Although you may think that boosting your immunity will be enough, in the past, pandemics have claimed millions of lives.
The Spanish Flu 1918
The Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 was the deadliest pandemic ever. Around 500 million people were infected worldwide, which was about a third of the world’s population. The Spanish flu pandemic claimed the lives of between 20 and 50 million people. There are many factors that affect the number of people infected and their mortality, including news blackouts and those who were infected but didn’t show symptoms. Medical files at the time also weren’t properly managed.
A new influenza virus appeared in 1918 during World War I. The 1918 pandemic’s first wave was mild. The disease usually passes after a couple of days and there are few reported deaths. In the fall of 1918 the disease returned strongly. Second wave of influenza spread to many areas around the world. This new virus spread because of war conditions such as crowding and troop movements around the world. Second wave victims were dead within hours or even days after developing symptoms. Their skin turned blue and their lungs filled with fluid, causing them to suffocate.
Scientists were puzzled at the time as to why the virus was killing so many healthy young people, an unusual aspect of this disease. Past analyses revealed that the virus could trigger a cytokinestorm – an immune response in which the body produced a large amount of proteins to combat the disease, but which could overwhelm the body and lead to death. This made young people with a good immune system susceptible. According to scientific research, the war is responsible. The disease is still as deadly as the previous strains but the war conditions have made it more so. The ongoing war caused overcrowded medical camps and hospitals, malnutrition, burnout, and poor hygiene.
It is not known where the virus originated. The flu first appeared in Europe and America, before spreading to other countries. The Spanish flu was named so because Spain was among the hardest hit countries by the virus, but there was no media blackout.
After the 1918 pandemic, there were several flu pandemics – Asian Influenza in 1957, with 2 million deaths; Hong Kong Influenza in 1968, with 1 million deaths; and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, with 500,000 deaths.
Influenza 101
Influenza viruses are made up of a single-stranded genetic material or genome. The influenza viruses are usually round or ovoid and have a diameter of 80 to 120 nanometers.
Influenza A and Influenza B cause the flu epidemics every year. Influenza A is the only virus type that can cause pandemics. A pandemic is possible when a novel strain of Influenza A, a strain that is new and different and infects people as well as being easily transmitted. Influenza B virus is usually responsible for localized flu outbreaks. Influenza C is genetically and morphologically different from the other two influenza viruses and only causes mild symptoms or none at all. Influenza D virus is known to only affect animals, mainly cattle. Influenza C & D virus are not a primary concern at the moment.
The influenza virus is very small and therefore very easy to spread. The experts believe that the main way influenza viruses are spread is by small droplets, which occur when an infected individual coughs, talks, sneezes or talks. These virus-laden droplets will enter the mouth or nose of others. These droplets can also fall to surfaces and remain there. People will become infected if they touch these surfaces, and then place their hands over their eyes, nose or mouth. Influenza viruses can survive up to an hour in closed environments and for up to 8 hours on surfaces like plastic or stainless steel.
Flu and its complications
Influenza can cause mild or severe illness, which can even lead to death. Flu symptoms typically appear one to two weeks after infection. Chills, a cough, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body pains and chills are common symptoms. Not everyone who has flu will have fever. Some people experience nausea and diarrhea.
Infections of the sinuses and ears are moderate complications. The flu can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, inflammation in the heart (myocarditis), encephalitis and multiple organ failures.
The influenza virus spreads around the globe, killing thousands each year. Anyone can become infected with influenza and fall ill. Flu can cause serious complications for anyone, but certain people are at a greater risk of fatality. High-risk groups include people over 65, children under five, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical conditions like diabetes and asthma.
Flu vaccines are very effective in boosting the immune system and fighting the disease. Flu vaccines have been found to be more effective when they are updated regularly, as influenza viruses can mutate and change quickly. It is best to be checked as soon as you experience flu symptoms. A CT scan could be performed by your doctor to make a more accurate diagnosis, particularly for those at high risk. Patients with the flu are encouraged to rest and drink plenty of water. If necessary, antiviral medication is also prescribed. The “new normal” will reduce the risk of contracting influenza by following proper hygiene.
