One person died due to the flu, from the beginning of the cold season until December 30, 2018, 67 cases of influenza were confirmed, informs the National Center for Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases within the National Institute of Public Health.
The deceased is a 53-year-old man from Galati County, who had pre-existing medical conditions and was not vaccinated against influenza.
According to the quoted source, out of the 67 cases of influenza, 11 are influenza AH1 virus, 19 influenza AH3 virus, 36 influenza A virus not subtyped and one case of influenza B virus.
As of December 30, 2018, 1,187,159 people from at-risk groups have been vaccinated against influenza, with a vaccine distributed by the Ministry of Health.
The man from Galaţi who died due to the influenza virus type A, subtype H3, was hospitalized at the Oncological Institute from Iaşi, suffering from terminal leukemia, the health authorities from Galaţi announced on Saturday.
Influenza is an acute, infectious, highly contagious disease caused by the flu virus (There are several types of viruses marked with A and B).
It is manifested by respiratory symptoms and general toxic phenomena, and can sometimes evolve into severe forms. The flu should not be confused with respiratory viruses, which are diseases caused by other viruses and have an easier evolution.
The flu begins with a stuffy nose or watery discharge, sore throat, headache and slight increase in temperature (37.2 -37.5)
The cold season favors diseases and flu epidemics (winter, early spring), but the disease can occur in other seasons.
Throughout evolution, the human species has faced outbreaks of influenza epidemics which, when they cover the entire world, are called pandemics.
50 million people died in the 1918 flu pandemic. Later there were pandemics in 1957 and 1968.
Influenza transmission
The flu is transmitted by air, from a sick person to a healthy person:
- Directly by coughing or sneezing;
- Indirectly, through freshly contaminated objects (handkerchief, towel, crockery, etc.)
Influenza contagion is high, but short-lived (2-4 days from the onset of the disease).
The symptoms of the flu are:
- Fever 39-40 degrees Celsius;
- Chills;
- Headaches;
- Muscle aches;
- Physical asthenia (weakness);
- Congestion of the pharynx (red in the throat);
- Hoarseness to aphonia (loss of voice);
- Frequent, dry, tiring cough;
- Loss of appetite (lack of appetite);
- Nausea and vomiting.
Influenza treatment
Common forms of flu are treated at home, with bed rest and antipyretics (paracetamol).
Acetyl salicylic acid (ASPIRIN) will not be administered, as this may promote a severe complication – Reye’s syndrome.
Severe and complicated flu is treated in the hospital. Antibiotics are recommended only in case of bacterial superinfections.
