Ang trangkaso, o Flu sa ingles ay isang pangkaraniwang impeksiyon mula sa virus na tinatawag na Influenza. Naaapektuhan ng sakit na ito ang respiratory system at kabilang nito ang ilong, lalamunan at baga. Nahahawa ang sakit na ito sa pamamagitan ng paglanghap ng hangin na may influenza virus, o kaya mula sa pakikisalamuha sa taong may trangkaso. Pana-panahon ang pag-atake ng sakit na ito, kung saan mas madalas tuwing tag-ulan. Kusang gumagaling ang trangkaso matapos ang ilang araw, ngunit maaari din magdulot ng nakamamatay na komplikasyon para sa mga taong may mahina na resistensya ng katawan.
Mga Sintomas ng Trangkaso
Sa simula ng trangkaso, maaaring parang pangkaraniwan na sipon at sore throat lamang ito. Ngunit biglaan naman ang pagdating ng trangkaso kumpara sa sipon. Mas malala din ang mararamdamang sintomas kapag may trangkaso kagaya ng mga sumusunod:
· Lagnat na mas mataas pa sa 38°C
· Pananakit ng kalamnan at kasu-kasuhan
· Panginginaw, panginginig at pagpapawis
· Pananakit ng ulo
· Ubo at sipon
· Pagbabara ng ilong
· Panghihina ng katawan
· Sore throat
Hindi limitado sa mga nabanggit ang mga sintomas na maaaring maranasan kapag may trangkaso. Kailangang magpatingin sa doktor kapag may risk ng komplikasyon mula sa sakit na ito. Pangkaraniwan lamang ang sintomas ng trangkaso at kadalasang napagkakamalan ang ibang mga sakit na trangkaso lamang. Magpatingin sa doktor upang makasiguro na trangkaso ang sakit na nakuha.
Having high grade fever or colds does not necessarily mean that you are having a flu or influenza. Though in most common cases, fever is the first indicator but not all patients with flu have fever. Symptoms associated with flu include a 100oF or higher fever or feeling feverish, a cough and/or sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, headaches and/or body aches, chills, fatigue and nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children).
Influenza is caused by three types of influenza viruses - A, B and C. Influenza types A and B are responsible for epidemics of respiratory illness that occur during cold weather and are often associated with increased rates of hospitalization and death. Influenza type C differs from types A and B because it usually causes either a very mild respiratory illness or no symptoms at all; it does not cause epidemics and does not have the severe public-health impact of influenza types A and B. However, influenza viruses continually change and mutate, which makes our body's defenses unable to fight the new influenza-causing viruses.
Influenza virus infection is self-limiting. This means that you can expect the illness to go away on its own after 7 to 10 days. However, the cause itself should not be the only focus of treatment and management. Interventions to relieve the symptoms are also necessary. Intake of fluids should be increased to replace the losses from fever. Comfort should also be a priority. Bed rest should be encouraged to help your body recuperate and at the same time, to avoid transmission of infection. Sponge bath using lukewarm water may also be done to lower the body temperature. Steam inhalation may also help clear congested nasal passages. On the other hand, if coughing keeps you awake at night, you can use extra pillows to elevate your head and promote effective breathing. Lastly, you should also include adequate amount of vitamins and minerals in your diet to promote faster recovery.
