Hong Kong flu: symptoms and dangers
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During the week, cases of Hong Kong flu were recorded in several regions of Russia. What is known about this disease is in the Kommersant certificate.
Hong Kong influenza is an acute respiratory illness caused by the H3N2 serotype of influenza A virus. This strain of the disease is called H3N2. The mortality rate of the disease is no more than 0.5%.
When did the disease appear?
The first H3N2 outbreak was detected in Hong Kong in July 1968. A month later, the disease reached Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Vietnam and the Philippines. In September, H3N2 spread to India, Iran, Thailand, Japan, northern Australia, the western US and Europe. In early 1969, the disease became a pandemic, reaching Africa and South America. Four months after the outbreak began, a vaccine against H3N2 was created. During the 1968–1970 pandemic, between 1 million and 4 million people died from the Hong Kong flu.
How the disease is transmitted
You can become infected with Hong Kong flu from an infected person through airborne droplets or contact.
When people become ill, they experience:
– dry cough;
– sore throat;
– headache;
– nasal congestion;
– severe weakness;
– dyspepsia.
How does the disease progress?
The incubation period of infection is 1–2 days. The disease begins with a sharp rise in temperature. This is followed by headache, redness of the eyes, pain when moving the eyeballs, chills, muscle and joint pain, digestive disorders and weakness. After 1–2 days, a sore throat, nasal congestion and a dry cough appear. In total, the disease lasts 10–14 days.
Diagnosis of Hong Kong flu
To identify the disease, you need to consult a specialist. The following diagnostic methods are used:
— objective examination;
— laboratory blood tests;
— identification of infectious pathogens using PCR diagnostics. There are rapid tests for diagnosing influenza at home and in outpatient settings;
– radiology diagnostics.
Treatment of the disease
Current flu vaccines include protection against H3N2. The main treatment is antiviral drugs. In addition, detoxification drugs, antipyretics, local antiseptics, mucolytics, and vasoconstrictor nasal drops are used for symptomatic therapy. Timely seeking medical help and taking the necessary medications in most cases helps to avoid complications. The most common consequences of H3N2 are bacterial inflammatory processes and infectious-toxic shock.
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