Influenza A

[Melbourne-Girl]

I can’t remember if I posted this on here re Influenza A (waiting for blood transfusion so excuse confusion if I have already posted this on Lupus.

Having been privileged to work a few years ago with 1 of 5 Global experts on Influenza A. He was a Director of the World Health Organisation.

Key learnings

1) all auto immune patients should have an influenza A injection (had my first one this year).

2) the injections are 50% effective so you still may get it even if you have had the vaccine.

3) influenza A can kill you if you don’t follow simple instructions.

4) you will remember the time and day that you got Influenza A as it hits you suddenly and you just feel like dying.

5) main signs and symptoms include sudden onset, really bad aching in every muscle of your body, very high temperatures that can cause hot sweats & chills.

6) it affects every muscle in your body, the main ones being your heart and diaphragm.

7) important to have complete bed rest and drink plenty of water so that you do not become dehydrated.

8) if you try and become active while you have influenza A you will get a secondary bacterial infection in your chest, you can get Cardiomyopathy and you can die.

9) there are 2 anti viral medications for influenza A one is Rulenza which is a nasal spray (it is difficult to ensure that you get the correct dose). The other is a capsule called Tamiflu.

10) if you take an anti viral influenza A medications it must be taken within 48 hours of your signs & symptoms.

11) an anti viral influenza A drug may make you feel a lot better and can even make you feel so well that you think you don’t have the flu any more.

12) if feeling better after antiviral influenza virus medication DONT become active. You still need 7-10 days of complete bed rest and also drink lots of water so that you don’t become dehydrated.

13) while you are contagious surfaces that you touch can harbour the virus for up to 48 hours.

14) if you are able to get a family member or a friend to contact people that you were in close contact with 48 hours prior to you getting the flu it will help them know the main symptoms and the importance of getting help from their Dr ASAP

15) they mainly test for influenza A by taking a buccal swab just inside your cheek. It is important to know if you have influenza A or a para flu that can make you feel just as bad but it will not attack the muscles of your body.

16) Australia have had twice as many people die thus far than they did this time last year. It can affect any age group and both Males and Females.

[Lupiknits]

Thank you for this.

[Melbourne-Girl in reply to Lupiknits]

My pleasure Lupiknits, keep us informed of you progress. I am hoping for nothing but the best outcome for you.

M-G xxx

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[maggielee]

Thanks for a great summary & really helpful information...hoping it does not hit us hard here, but with international flights I am sure it will come our way...ml

[Melbourne-Girl in reply to maggielee]

👍

[Lily77]

Thank you very much for the clear warning and information...I hope that the blood transfusion goes exceptionally well for you, best regards, Lily

[Melbourne-Girl in reply to Lily77]

Many thanks Lily I am sure the transfusions will go well. Also thanks for acknowledging my Influenza Post. If it helps only one person then it has been worth while,

Best always

M-G xx

[Melbourne-Girl]

Thanks for thatStickyBloodMentor. It is really just influenza A and it’s sub types that are aggressive and life threatening so it’s interesting to see that.

I hope the UK does not have more cases over Winter like Australia did this year.

Interestingly not all cases are reported. There are still so many Drs who were not taught about influenza A when they did their training because there were no anti vitals etc they were not taught to tell the difference between influenza A & subtypes or severe Para flu’s which can make you feel as bad as influenza A although it does not attack the bodies muscles so is not dangerous. There is still a huge deficit in Drs understanding of influenza A & the more forums that discuss it the better. My sister & her husband both got it this year& as they live in a different state in Australia I told them it could be influenza A & to get tested, bed rest etc. The Dr they were seeing did not really understand the importance of reporting his patients with Influenza A to the authorities so it will still be grossly underestimated. Every time I gave them advice the Dr went along with it.

Keep the word out there SBM eventually the message will get to all of the health practitioners who really matter!!

Best always,

M-G xx

Stay as well as possible