Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu is highly contagious and is normally spread by the coughs and sneezes of an infected person.You can also catch the flu by touching an infected person, for instance, shaking hands. Adults are contagious 1-2 days before getting symptoms and up to 7 days after becoming ill. This means that you can spread the influenza virus before you even know you are infected.
Over 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications each year, and about 36,000 people are estimated to die as a result of the flu. It is estimated that 250,000-500,000 people die each year as a result of the flu. In industrialized countries, the majority of deaths occur among people over the age of 65.
Flu symptoms
Confusing flu with a bad cold is common. Flu and cold symptoms may both include a runny/blocked nose, sore throat, and cough.
To help you tell them apart, below are some symptoms of flu that are different from a heavy cold:
High temperature
Cold sweats and shivers
Headache
Aching joints and limbs
Fatigue, feeling exhausted
There may also be gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; these are much more common among children than adults.Normally, symptoms linger for about a week. However, the feeling of tiredness and gloom can continue for several weeks.
Flu risks and complications
In the majority of cases, the flu is not serious – it is just unpleasant. For some people, however, there can be severe complications. This is more likely to very young children, in the elderly, and for individuals with other longstanding illness that can undermine their immune system.
The risk of experiencing severe flu complications is higher for certain people:
Adults over 65
Babies or young children
Pregnant women
Individuals with heart or cardiovascular disease
Those with chest problems, such as asthma or bronchitis
Individuals with kidney disease
People with diabetes
People taking steroids
Individuals undergoing treatment for cancer
Those with longstanding diseases that reduce immune system function
Some of the complications caused by influenza may include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may develop sinus problems and ear infections.
Seasonal patterns of influenza and upper airway infection were found to be linked to a higher incidence of narcolepsy, by researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine. Narcolepsy is a neurological disease characterized by excessive sleepiness and sleep attacks at inappropriate moments, such as during work.
Treatments for flu
As flu is caused by a virus, antibiotics cannot help, unless the flu has led to another illness caused by bacteria. Antivirals, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), may be prescribed in some circumstances.
Painkillers may alleviate some of the symptoms, such as a headache and body pains.
Some painkillers, such as aspirin, should not be given to children under 12.
Individuals with the flu should:
Stay at home
Avoid contact with other people where possible
Keep warm and rest
Consume plenty of liquids
Avoid alcohol
Stop smoking
Eat if possible
It is a good idea for people that live alone to tell a relative, friend, or neighbor that they have the flu and make sure someone can check in on them.
Should people with flu tell their doctor?
A doctor should only be informed if the individual is frail or elderly, if their temperature remains high after 4-5 days, if symptoms worsen, or if the individual feels seriously ill, becomes short of breath, and/or develops chest pain.
If worried, a phone call to the doctor may be a better solution than making an appointment.
Flu prevention
Health experts and government agencies throughout the world say that the single best way to protect oneself from catching the flu is to get vaccinated every year.
There are two types of vaccinations, the flu shot, and the nasal-spray flu vaccine. The flu shot is administered with a needle, usually in the arm – it is approved for anyone older than 6 months, including healthy people and those with chronic medical conditions.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine is a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause illness.
Seasonal flu shot
A flu vaccine will contain three influenza viruses:
Influenza (H3N2) virus
Influenza (H1N2) virus
One B virus
As viruses adapt and change, so do those contained within the vaccines – what is included in them is based on international surveillance and scientists’ calculations about which virus types and strains will circulate in a given year.
Protection begins about 2 weeks after receiving the vaccination.
Seasonal flu vaccinations should start in September or as soon as the vaccine is on hand and continue throughout the flu season, into January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons are never the same. Flu outbreaks usually peak at around January, but they can happen as early as October.
An infant whose mother was given a flu vaccination while pregnant is 50 percent less likely to be hospitalized for flu than other infants whose mothers were not given the vaccine while pregnant, according to researchers from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Seasonal flu shots are not suitable for some people
Certain individuals should check with their doctor before deciding to have the flu vaccine. These include:
Individuals with a severe allergy to chicken eggs
Individuals who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccination in the past
Individuals who developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome within 6 weeks of receiving a flu vaccine
Children under 6 months old
Individuals experiencing a fever with a moderate-to-severe illness should wait until they recover before being vaccinated
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