Flu is a common and contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Although flu can affect anyone, some people are at a higher risk of developing serious complications. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of flu.
Causes of Flu
Viruses infect the nose, throat, and lungs to cause flu. There are four types of influenza viruses: A, B, C, and D. There are seasonal epidemics of flu caused by type A and B viruses, while mild or rare infections are caused by type C and D viruses.
A person can become infected with the influenza virus by coughing, sneezing, or talking. You can also become infected by touching a surface or object with the virus on it.
Symptoms of Flu
Flu symptoms usually start suddenly and can vary from mild to severe. Some of the common symptoms of flu include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Body aches
- Cough
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Tiredness or weakness
- Diarrhea or vomiting (more common in children than in adults)
The symptoms of flu last from a few days to two weeks, depending on the severity of the infection and your immune system. Some people may not show any symptoms at all, but they can still spread the virus.
Diagnosis of Flu
Only a healthcare provider can confirm if you have the flu. There are a variety of tests that can detect the influenza virus from your respiratory samples, such as nasal swabs and throat swabs. Some tests can be completed within minutes, while others may take longer.
It is important to get tested as soon as possible if you have flu symptoms and are at high risk of complications, such as:
- Young children, especially those under 12 months old
- Pregnant women or those who recently gave birth
- Adults over 65 years old
- People with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or weakened immune system
- People with obesity (BMI greater than 40)
- People with nervous system disorders or conditions that affect muscle function or breathing
- People who take aspirin regularly and are under 19 years old
Treatment of Flu
The flu can usually be recovered at home without any special treatment. Some individuals may need antiviral drugs to prevent complications and reduce the severity and duration of their symptoms. Antiviral drugs are prescription medications that stop the influenza virus from multiplying in your body. They are most effective when taken within 48 hours of onset of symptoms.
Some of the antiviral drugs that are approved for treating flu include:
- Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
- Zanamivir (Relenza)
- Peramivir (Rapivab)
- Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza)
You should follow the instructions carefully and complete the course of treatment as prescribed by your healthcare provider based on your age, health condition, and type of influenza virus.
In addition to antiviral drugs, you can also take some steps to relieve your flu symptoms and prevent dehydration, such as:
- Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juice, soup, or oral rehydration solutions
- Rest as much as possible
- Use a humidifier or a vaporizer to moisten the air and ease your breathing
- Gargle with warm salt water or use lozenges to soothe your sore throat
- Use nasal saline spray or drops to clear your nasal passages
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers or fever reducers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil), to reduce your discomfort. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu symptoms.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco products
If you develop severe or persistent symptoms or develop any signs of complications from the flu, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, dizziness, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, or worsening of chronic medical conditions, you should seek medical attention right away.
Prevention of Flu
Flu vaccination is a safe and effective way to avoid getting sick with the flu every year. It is the best way to prevent flu. The vaccine contains inactive or weakened strains of the influenza virus that stimulate your immune system to produce antibodies that fight off the infection.
There are different types of flu vaccines available for different age groups and health conditions. Some of them include:
- Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), which is given as a shot in the arm or thigh. It is suitable for people aged 6 months and older, including pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions.
- Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), which is given as a nasal spray. It is suitable for healthy people aged 2 to 49 years old, who are not pregnant and do not have chronic medical conditions or weakened immune system.
- High-dose influenza vaccine (HD-IIV), which is given as a shot in the arm. It is suitable for people aged 65 years and older, who have a higher risk of severe flu and complications.
- Adjuvanted influenza vaccine (aIIV), which is given as a shot in the arm. It is suitable for people aged 65 years and older, who have a higher risk of severe flu and complications. It contains an adjuvant, which is a substance that enhances the immune response to the vaccine.
- Cell-based influenza vaccine (ccIIV), which is given as a shot in the arm. It is suitable for people aged 4 years and older. It is made from influenza viruses that are grown in animal cells instead of chicken eggs, which may reduce the risk of allergic reactions in some people.
- Recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV), which is given as a shot in the arm. It is suitable for people aged 18 years and older. It is made from a protein of the influenza virus that is produced in insect cells using genetic engineering, which may reduce the risk of allergic reactions in some people.
Flu vaccinations are usually available between September and January every year, but they may vary depending on availability and demand, so you should talk to your healthcare provider about which vaccine is right for you. To develop immunity before the flu season peaks, you should get vaccinated as soon as possible, preferably before the end of October.epending on how well the vaccine matches the circulating strains of the influenza virus, you can reduce your risk of getting the flu by 40% to 60%. However, it does not guarantee complete protection from the flu, since new strains of the virus may not be included in the vaccine. In order to prevent getting or spreading the flu, you should also take the following preventive measures:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze
- Dispose of used tissues in a trash can and wash your hands afterwards
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick or have flu symptoms
- Stay home if you are sick or have flu symptoms and limit contact with others until you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without using any fever-reducing medications
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs, keyboards, phones, and toys
These steps will help you and others stay healthy and prevent flu outbreaks in your community. Remember that flu is more than just an inconvenience, but a serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and death. Therefore, it is important to take it seriously and take steps to protect yourself and others from it.
