INFLUENZA AND ITS COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

The discovery of the influenza and other respiratory viruses which are responsible for the influenza syndrome has done little so far to assist the practitioner in his task of treating those who are ill. It may be comforting to the patient to know that his illness is only one of thousands due to either influenza virus A or B, but it will not alter his treatment. It may be of some value to the practitioner to know that influenza viruses rather than others with a less lethal propensity are circulating in the community. However, a knowledge of the patient and of his previous health or chronic disease is of even greater importance, because complications of either bacterial or virus origin are much more likely in persons with chronic chest or heart disease than in those with previous good health. The family doctor, who alone has the knowledge of the health record of both adults and children in any particular family, thus has an important asset in assessing the probable course of events when this family joins battle with the influenza virus. These articles will attempt to deal primarily with the problem of infection by the latter virus and will mention other virus infections resembling influenza only when indicated.