Flu (Influenza)

Overview

Influenza or Flu, is a common respiratory illness caused by the flu virus. They are viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes lungs or cause mild to severe illness which can end in death. Influenza is important as its detailed knowledge, regarding symptoms of influenza, transmission and incubation period; preventions or common myths associated with flu and what actually gets you to be infected (treatment) is always useful both for public health measures or simply your own well-being.

Symptoms of Influenza

Symptoms of influenza Symptoms can vary from mild to severe, and they usually come on quickly. Common symptoms include:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills.
• Persistent, dry cough.
• Scratchy feeling: When a sore throat follows.
• The mucus fills the nose that makes breathing hard.
• Pain muscles or joints:
• Severe headaches
• Fatigue (tiredness): Can be severe enough to make it difficult for you to perform daily activities.
• Children are also more likely than adults to experience nausea and vomiting, as well as diarrhea.

Influenza Transmission

Influenza Infection spreads via air when sick people cough, sneeze, or talk. Less often, infection spreads after touching the surfaces with a virus and then coming in contact with your mouth, nose or even eyes.

Prevention of Influenza

Preventing influenza takes incorporation of vaccines, cleanliness practices, and health-induced behaviors:

Vaccination:

The most impactful approach towards preventing flu is through yearly vaccination against flu. Each year, the vaccine is modified to protect from the most common strains of the virus. It is recommended for everyone aged six months plus.

Good Hygiene Practices:

Wash hands regularly and thoroughly with soap, detergent and water, when soap and water are not available, then use hand sanitizer, keep distance from sick people and use a tissue paper or the elbow to stop droplets. Disinfecting surfaces: Keep commonly touched surfaces clean at all times.

Healthy Lifestyle

Adequate sleep: maintains a healthy immune system.

Healthy diet: Eating balance diet full of minerals and vitamins.

Regular exercise: helps to improve on the immune system.

Stress control: The stress may cause the immune system to weak.

Treatment

Most individuals with the flu have mild ailment and do not require health care or antiviral medications. Nevertheless, certain persons may gain from antiviral medications, mainly those at increased chances for severe flu complications. Available treatment options are as follows:

Antiviral drugs:

These are medications that are taken through a doctor’s prescription; they help minimize the duration of illness and prevent severe complications. Their effectiveness is higher if one takes them within two days after showing signs and symptoms.”

Rest and Hydration:

Ample rest and fluid intake are essential for recovery. Staying home from work or school can help prevent the spread of the virus.

Symptom Relief: There are over-the-counter drugs for symptom relief:

Antipyretics and analgesics: include acetaminophen or ibuprofen

Decongestants: used for nasal congestion

Antitussive: used in controlling cough

Resting and drinking enough fluids is very important when trying to recover from flu. Staying at home is good since one does not spread the disease when at work or while at school.

Complications

Complication due to Flu Even though majority of the people recover from flu normally, some people could get really sick. Specifically, the elderly, young children, pregnant women as well as those with certain chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of developing severe illnesses due to complications associated with influenza virus contraction.

These typically include pneumonia which is an infection in the lungs that can be life-threatening if not treated on time; bronchitis (itself another serious illness); both sinusitis (inflammation of the Para nasal sinuses) and otitis media (an infection within the middle ear) because they are bacterial infections that develop following flu; and lastly worsening already existing chronic diseases like asthma or ischemic heart disease.

Conclusion

It is very difficult to control influenza. It is a bad disease that is easy to pass on and it usually causes a lot of sickness in severe cases. People can avoid this common but sometimes serious disease by getting a shot every year against it, washing their hands often, and taking medicine on time if they catch it. You will be protected from getting sick together with other people near you by being always in the know and watching out that your actions does not encourage the diseases.

In case of any flu symptoms or being in a high‐risk group you can immediately get in touch with your health care provider do not postpone it. The best way to stay safe and protect you from flu is through prevention as well as timely intervention.