Encephalitis Contagious

Flu

Influenza is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus. It comes suddenly with fever, muscle aches, chills and a cough. After an attack, a serious weakness is common for several weeks. Although outbreaks of influenza have occurred for centuries have only in recent years, various forms of the virus associated with outbreaks were isolated. Two forms of the virus known as influenza A and B have been isolated since 1933. The vaccines for inoculation against these forms have been developed, but routine vaccination is not recommended because the disease is rarely fatal and simple because the type or nature of the virus varies from one epidemic to another.

The influenza virus is spread from person to person through droplets of fluid coughed on the nose, throat and lungs. An epidemic reaches its peak in two or three weeks, then disappears after four to eight weeks. The worst time of year is winter and early spring. The flu virus seems to be constantly present in humans and epidemics occur under particularly favorable
circumstances to help spread the virus and reduce the resistance.

The flu comes on suddenly after an incubation period of several days. The common complaints are headache, drowsiness, fatigue, and chills, but it can also be a systemic disease with nausea and vomiting. The fever starts to rise and usually hangs around 1020 F., but can rise to 1040 F. A cough to dryness and irritation of the throat and chest tightness are common. A runny nose is not nearly as common as colds. A person with influenza feel very ill and is likely to work or entertainment, and even reading. Pain in the eyes with some redness may occur. The disease itself is uncomfortable, but not too serious, but complications through the invasion by other germs that cause pneumonia, ear infection, or even inflammation of the brain, it can be dangerous to life. The sulfonamides and antibiotics can prevent secondary complications of influenza, but do not act specifically against the virus. Most doctors recommend bed rest, drink plenty of fluids, aspirin or other salicylates, codeine for cough and, if necessary, medication to help the patient's sleep. The condition must be monitored very carefully when it affects the very old or very young who are most susceptible to secondary infections and be less able to withstand the wear that causes the flu.

Measles

Against measles have been one of the most common childhood diseases. The condition is very contagious and is usually accompanied by a rash, fever, cough, and inflamed eyes. Measles is caused by a specific virus that spreads easily from person to person.

Ten to fourteen days after a child has been in contact with another who has had measles, symptoms like those of a cold spot rigorous. The child becomes drowsy and irritable. Water eyes and see the red and the child avoids light. The appetite is poor. At the end of the third or fourth day of the rash appears with individual spots that are the size of a pinhead and pale red first, but then enlarge, become higher and a deeper red. The rash is usually seen first on the face, scalp and behind the ears, but gradually covers the entire body. Increases in fever, rash breaks out. After the second or third day of the rash begins to fade, the temperature falls and after seven days, in general, the patient is on the mend.

During the first months of life of the child often has the immunity of measles antibodies from its mother. As the immunity fades, the child becomes sensitive, and most cases occur in children three or four years. The child may be injected with the globulin, which provides immunity against measles.

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