Influenza And Pneumonia

Diseases are just among the many things that cause mortality. There are many kinds of diseases that we all know about and fear of like cancer and AIDS. However, what most people are not aware of is that lung diseases also play a part in the alarmingly increasing mortality rate. These diseases are often overlooked because of their simplistic nature of attacking the human body. Too often, people ignore lung diseases like influenza and pneumonia because their symptoms seem quite harmless while they take paracetamol after paracetamol. 

The Real Score Behind Influenza And Pneumonia

What is Influenza?
Influenza, or more popularly known as the flu, is a viral infection that is contagious and can spread easily. The most common way of acquiring it is by having direct contact with the saliva of a person infected via sneezing or coughing. In the United States alone, around 20 percent of its population contracts both influenza and pneumonia, and it is usually between the months of December to March.  Annually, influenza is responsible for 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations throughout the country. 

However, it is quite concerning to know that despite the advancements in the medical field, the mortality rate caused by influenza has increased within the past 20 years. Although most people who fall prey with the flu are the elderly, it does not mean that children and even healthy adults are not susceptible to this disease.

What are the symptoms?
The most primary symptoms of influenza include cough, chills, body aches, fatigue, and fever. Unfortunately, these symptoms are overlooked as something less threatening, thus, many make the mistake of ignoring them. For those with the flu, the disease is at its peak for three to four days, while the recovery period usually takes around seven to 10 days. 

A person with influenza must remember to stay at home so as not to spread the virus to others. Rest is very important, so one should avoid being stressed or overworked. However, there are some other symptoms that one should look out for. These are persistent headaches and congestion, continued coughing, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, fever, and difficulty in breathing. Should these symptoms develop, one should consult a doctor for tests and see if the disease has developed into a more serious one like pneumonia.

What is Pneumonia?
Once a person with influenza develops complications, this often leads to pneumonia. This is where the lungs are inflamed and are seriously infected. What happens is that the air sacs of the lungs are filled with other kinds of liquid, including pus. This then blocks the supply of oxygen and prevents them from getting to the bloodstream. We all know that without enough oxygen in our blood, our cells are unable to function properly, thus, leading to death. 

Pneumonia has five main classified causes and these are: chemicals, mycoplasmas, viruses, bacterias, and other agents like the fungi. By 2004 however, the surgeon general for the United Nations has added smoking as a cause of this disease. What is more dangerous about pneumonia is that it gives added danger to those people who have chronic illness like diabetes or heart disease.

How To Prevent Influenza and Pneumonia?
As with all diseases, it is important to know that prevention is better than any cure. Once these diseases are contracted, medication and rest can only do so much. Hence, it is important that one lowers the potential risk of acquiring them. 

The most popular and most common preventive method is to get an influenza and pneumonia vaccination each fall. It is greatly recommended to get a vaccine, especially if one is generally considered as "high-risk". But who are included in the influenza and pneumonia high-risk list? 

• Any child somewhere around the ages of six to 23 months
• Anyone who has chronic conditions in their lungs or heart, diabetes or kidney disease, and those who are on a long-term aspirin therapy.
• People who are 65 years old or above
• Pregnant women
• Health care and household personnel that provides direct contact and care

Aside from that, it is important to avoid any close contact with people infected with this disease. Also, make sure that your hands are clean so as to prevent the spread of bacteria. It is advisable to thoroughly clean surfaces in the house, since viruses can survive on them and infect others who use them as well. A good hygiene habit is also very important as well as eating a healthy diet.

Make no mistake that even if cancer or AIDS may seem more severe, influenza and pneumonia are still very potent and dangerous diseases. After all, it's always the unassuming ones that can really create a big mess.