Infection of the nose and throat caused by influenza (flu) viruses is called the “Flu.” The viruses are most common during fall and winter. Flu usually causes mild symptoms like cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, fever but can lead to serious illness at times.
Flu symptoms usually start suddenly and are severe than common cold. People with cold are less likely to develop fever or muscle aches and commonly have runny nose. Common cold generally does not lead to serious health problems. It is usually not possible to differentiate flu from common cold unless further testing is done.
The flu tests are done with nasal swab test. The commonly used test is “Rapid Flu test”, which provide results in about 30 minutes. Sometimes the test can be negative despite having active influenza infection. Diagnosis can still be made based on your physical exam and symptoms.
Flu is very contagious – means it easily spreads from one person to other. Flu spread by droplets created by coughing and sneezing. You can spread the flu starting one day before flu symptoms start and up to 7 days after recovery. Covering sneezes/coughs and frequent hand washing are simple yet very effective methods to prevent the spread of flu.
Most people recover from flu in few days to less than 2 weeks. Flu can make common health problems like asthma worse. High-risk people can develop serious complications like severe ear infection, pneumonia, sepsis (infection spreads to the blood), inflammation of the heart or even death.
Flu can cause serious complications in certain high risk patients. These include children, pregnant women, elderly (age more than 65 years), people with medical conditions like congestive heart failure, COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, liver or kidney problems, cancer, AIDS.
The treatment of flu includes plenty of rest and fluids. You might have to take over the counter medications for fever and cold. There are prescription medications called antiviral drugs available to treat flu. These medications work best when started in first few days of symptom onset. These medications can shorten the duration and also decrease the severity of symptoms.
A flu shot is the best way to prevent flu infection. Get your flu shot every year as recommended by CDC.
This post was last modified on November 3, 2022 8:27 am
Spider veins are a common cosmetic concern for many people, causing small, visible veins to appear just beneath the surface… Read More
Digital Signage for Hospitals: Streamlining Communication in Hospitals SEO description: The use of digital signage for hospitals transforms the way… Read More
Oxygen is the most critical element for human survival, and in scenarios where oxygen levels are compromised, having access to… Read More
In the world of competitive sports and bodybuilding, serious athletes are always on the lookout for reliable, high-quality supplements to… Read More
Car accidents can change lives, causing long-term injuries that affect physical health, finances, and emotional well-being. Recognizing these effects is… Read More
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious condition that can result from various forms of negligence, such as car accidents,… Read More
It sucks to be on a tight budget. You have to pick and choose what you buy at the grocery… Read More
We’ve all laid in bed tossing and turning, not being able to sleep. But what if this is happening to… Read More
Addiction can profoundly impact every aspect of an individual’s life, from their physical health to their relationships, career, and spiritual… Read More
The mental health landscape for teenagers is increasingly concerning. Adolescence is a period fraught with changes—physically, emotionally, and socially—that can… Read More