The document discusses the flu, how it spreads, and ways to prevent and recover from it. It explains that when germs like bacteria or viruses enter the body, they trigger a fever through the hypothalamus as a protective response. The fever helps fight infection by raising the body's temperature set point. However, the flu can also spread to others through coughing, sneezing or close contact when talking. To prevent spreading or catching the flu, good hygiene like hand washing and covering coughs/sneezes is important. Rest, nutrition, fluids and over-the-counter pain relievers can aid recovery for most cases of flu, but medical advice should be sought if a fever lasts over three days

1. Getting and Giving Flu
Facts to be known
The fever or flu is common to all of us. There is a famous saying in sinhala , “ una
kaaraya vathura illanavaa vaage” means, ‘demanding for water by a flu patient’. This
implies that It is a problem not only to the patient, but also to close family members.
The society should have basic knowledge on this common issue to avoid possible
complications of infection contacted and also in keeping away from infection which is
prevailing in the vicinity.
When a germ namely a bacteria, virus or parasite enters the body , several protective
mechanisms are activated . The body temperature goes up with the entrance of these
particles foreign to the body to develop the state of flu or fever.
Fever is the oldest and most universally known distinctive feature of a disease. It occurs
in living being including, mammals, birds, reptiles and birds. There are thermoregulatory
mechanisms , activating to control the body temperature. When there is an infection in
the body, these thermoregulatory mechanisms act as if they were adjusted to maintain
body temperature at a higher point than normal level that is a new point above normal
temperature 37 degree celsius in human. As the result, temperature receptors of the body
signal that the actual temperature is below the new set point which is established due to
this infective state and the temperature raising mechanisms are activated.
The monocytes, macrophages and kupffer cells are white blood cells in the circulatory
system. The toxins that are released from the germs such as bacteria, viruses or parasites
within the body will act on these white blood cells to produce a chemical, called as
cytokines. The cytokines are also produced by cells in the central nervous system when
these are stimulated by infection. These cytokines act as endogenous pyrogens in the
body and responsible to provide a message to a tiny hypothalamus, which is an endocrine
gland , situated in the brain.
A special region which is called as the preoptic area of the hypothalamus is stimulated by
these cytokines to release a chemical, prostaglandin. The prostaglandins, produced by the
hypothalamus are responsible in raising the temperature set point to develop fever or flu.

2. It is not unusual in developing flu in close associates while the flu patient is recovering
from his illness. The main examples for these situations are common cold and other flu
conditions , caused by different type of viruses by the way of droplet infection. When
someone is having these viruses in the body he can spread the infection to others not only
through coughing and sneezing but also with talking in keeping with proximity. While
talking to a person within 30 to 60 centimeter the virus may be released from the nose or
mouth of the patient to another new location.
The released germs could be survived on the surfaces in external environment for
sometime. It is possible for someone to take these tiny organisms into their hand through
touching these surfaces. If they touch their nose or mouth with unclean hands the
infective agent may enter the respiratory tract through the mucous membrane of these
sites.
Different types of viruses can cause fever. Of the common cold, which occurs frequently
among society, 30% to 50% cases are due to infection with Rhinoviruses and 10% to
15% with Corona, Adeno and Enteroviruses. Influenza viruses are implicated with 5% to
15% cases of common cold.
When the body temperature goes up in one degree of celsius there will be 13% increase
in metabolism and oxygen consumption. Consequently, more energy is required by a
person during the period of illness. Therefore adequate rest is essential while maintaining
good nutrition with nutritious foods and plenty of fluids. It will help to recover from
illness without unnecessary delay and complications.
It is also a responsibility of the person, who feels unwell, have high fever or sore throat to
stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds in preventing spread of the
infection to others. When there is coughing or sneezing, the nose and mouth should be
covered with tissue papers or handkerchief. The hands must be kept clean by using soap
and water as there is a chance of contaminating the external surfaces with the infective
agents, residing there.
Adequate rest, good nutrition, drinking plenty of water and using a pain relieving drugs
are adequate in recovering from most instances. If the fever is continuing more than
three days or associated with shortness of breadth or difficulty in breathing, it is
necessary to seek medical advice.
The ventilation of the living space must be improved by opening the windows. It must be
kept in mind not to touch the nose or mouth with unclean hands. Also, it is better to make
a practice in cleaning the hands with soap and water when there is a necessity and
returning home. Adequate sleep, exercises and good nutrition will help in curtailing these
illnesses in life.
In time to time we have heard about dangerous flu epidemics or outbreaks. The recent
example for that was H1N1 novel influenza epidemic in the year of 2009. The most

3. dangerous influenza flu epidemic was in 1918 in which 20 to 30 million people have
been killed in the world.
Whether the flu is developed as a result of infection with a new variant of viruses such as
H1N1 influenza or viruses causing common cold, there are no differences in the ways of
prevention and avoiding possible complications of the illness. The responsibilities of the
infected person to recover from the illness without complication and to prevent the spread
infection among others are equally important as the noninfected person to get protected
from the illness. It is not a difficult task in living with minimal health problems if the
knowledge on good health practices are properly stored in our mind.
Dr. Shantha Hettiarachchi