'Influenza can cause severe illness or death'

Consultant Hospitalist at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre Dr Syeda Rubab has said that influenza could be fatal, if not tackled with proper care and medicine. Most people recover from fever and other symptoms within a week without requiring medical attention. But influenza can cause severe illness or death in old and very young people, especially weak persons and individuals with chronic medical conditions, she mentioned.
It may be noted that influenza, commonly known as flu, is an acute viral infection caused by an influenza virus, especially in changing season. Influenza is characterised by a sudden onset of high fever, usually dry cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose.
Dr Rubab further said that influenza spreads easily and can sweep through communities. When an infected person coughs, infected droplets get into the air and another person can breathe them in and be exposed. The virus can also be spread by hands contaminated with influenza viruses. To prevent transmission, people infected with flu should cover their mouth and nose when coughing, and wash their hands regularly, Dr Rubab said.
Talking about prevention measures for influenza, she reiterated that the most effective way to prevent the disease or severe outcomes from the illness is vaccination. Seasonal vaccines are easily available in the market. Physicians recommend the people to take influenza vaccine annually. Among healthy adults, influenza vaccine can provide reasonable protection. However among the elderly, influenza vaccine may be less effective in preventing illness but may reduce severity of disease and incidence of complications and deaths.
Dr Rubab strongly recommended influenza vaccination annually. She further said that it is the role of a general physician to spread awareness among people about its importance, effectiveness and protection against the influenza. On the other hand, Ashba Kamran, CEO of Fresh Nursing Facility said the importance of prevention needs to be emphasised more than ever in Pakistan.