Influenza

• RNA virus, A, B and C types
• Type A has H and N subtypes eg, H5N1
• Outbreaks typically occur in winter 

Vaccine - free on the NHS for people at a higher risk of flu & complications: 

• Aged 65 or older
• Young children
• Pregnant women
• Chronic health conditions - asthma, COPD, CCF, diabetes
• Healthcare workers and carers 

 

Presentation - lots of overlap between common cold and flu but flu tends to have a more abrupt onset. Fever is rare with a common cold. Flu if people feel completely wiped out

Management - healthy people do not need treatment - resolves with self-care measures. For those at risk of complications (treatment needs to be started within 48 hours)

• Oral oseltamivir 
• Inhaled zanamivir

 

Complications

• Otitis media, sinusitis and bronchitis
• Viral pneumonia
• Secondary bacteria pneumonia
• Worsening chronic health conditions, such as COPD and heart failure
• Febrile convulsions (young children)
• Encephalitis