The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-04-18
Your Health
Influenza Spread
Mostly as Result
of Contact
By U \. RrNnLsEN. v. D.

BY Il y BUNDES EN-. VI. d.
INFLUENZA is an acute in
fammation Of the upper respira-
tory tract, that is, the nose, throat
and windpipe. II is probably
caused by a virus, that is. a germ
so small that 1t can pass through
the openings in a porcelain filter.
Il has been found possible 10 trans
nit the disease 20 animals by
spraying the nose and throat with
the Secretions taken from persons
infected with the disease. The
virus usually producing influenza
epidemics has been labeled virus
A.. Another virus called virus B.
has been reported 10 be responsible
for some few epidemics Of infu-
enza.
II is probable that influenza. is
spread mostly by contact and by
infection through droplets of mois
ture thrown into the air through
coughing and sneezing. II would
appear that some people may act
as carriers Of the disease. That is,
they may have the virus in the
nose and throat without being af-
fected by the disease. Contamin-
ated utensils may also serve to
transmit the influenza infection.
Ii would appear probable that
influenza develops within one TO
two days after the person is ex-
posed TO il. The condition usually
starts suddenly. with shivering or
even with a chill, fever, headache,
pain behind the eyes and in the
back and legs. There is a general
feeling of sickness and loss Of sp-
petite The nose may appear
stopped up and there may be some
running Of the nose. Because the
larynx or voice box is often af-
fected there may be pain. hoarse-
ness or coughing. The infamma-
ton Of the windpipe causes a feel
ing Of soreness under the breast
bone and q sensation of tightne.s
in the chest The coughing is dry
AT first. but later becomes loose.
About the fourth day OF the dis
ease the temperature usually drops
TO normal and the pstien. then
soon RECEIVERS.
There are various complications
which may occur with influenza.
The lungs may be affected. due TO
the virus itself. However, more
often, due to added infection by
such germs as the pneumococcus
streptococcus and staphylococcus,
not only lung conditions but other
complications may develop, such
as kidney Inflammation, infection
of the eyes, ears, joints, or bones.
Up to the present time, no spe-
citic method of curing or prevent
ing influenza has been found. An
infiuenZa-virus vaccine has been
prepared and tested, and some sue
cess found, although the protec-
ton produced by it would seem TO
last but short time, and seems TO
be by no means complete in the
treatment of the disease. The pa
tiert as rule is kept at rest in
bed from the time the disease
starts until recovery is well under
way.
The patient with influenza
should be kept away from others,
so as to prevent the spread of the
infection, and perhaps to help in
keeping him from contracting a
secondary infection with other
types Of germs. He is usually al
lowed TO select such foods as he
desires, while headache and other
symptoms may be controlled by
such drugs as aspirin or more
powerful sedatives.
In so far as the virus itself is
concerned, the sulfonamide drugs
would not appear 10 be Of any
effect, but they may be useful in
warding off secondary infections
with germs such as the staphylo-
coccus, streptococcus, and pneumo-
eoccus.
Tomorrow, DR.. Bundesen will
discuss Common Digestive Dis
orders"