- 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, Rhinosinusitis and bronchitis
- Viral pneumonia
- Secondary bacteria pneumonia
- Worsening chronic health conditions, such as COPD and Heart Failure
- Febrile convulsions (young children)
- Encephalitis