Introduction:
The influenza virus causes the flu, a common respiratory ailment. Fever, headaches, body aches, coughing, and runny or stuffy nose are typical symptoms. If you have an underlying medical condition or are pregnant, you run the chance of experiencing serious problems. The best approach to prevent contracting the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
.png "What is Flu (Influenza)?") |
| What is Flu (Influenza)? |
OVERVIEW
What is the flu (influenza)?
The influenza virus causes the sickness known as the flu. It can have severe symptoms such as head and body aches, fever, sore throat, and respiratory problems. Winter is when flu is most prevalent since so many individuals can get sick at once (an epidemic).
When is influenza season?
The Northern Hemisphere's (which includes the United States) flu season, during which flu cases increase.
It lasts from October through May. Most cases (peak) are reported between December and February.
How widespread is the flu?
One of the most prevalent infectious diseases is the flu. About 20 to 40 million Americans contract the flu each flu season.
What distinguishes the influenza virus from the regular cold?
Runny nose and coughing are two symptoms of both the flu and the common cold. But whereas flu symptoms can be severe and have dangerous problems, cold symptoms are minor. Colds and the flu are both caused by different viruses.
How can I tell if I have COVID-19 or the flu?
The only way to distinguish between the flu and COVID-19 for sure is to get tested because they both have similar symptoms. There is a chance of major disease for them both. Yet, different viruses are to blame for these infections, and medical professionals use various drugs to treat them.
Who is more susceptible to flu complications?
You may be more susceptible to developing a serious case of the flu if you have certain medical conditions. This comprises conditions that demand hospitalization and are life-threatening. Serious sickness is more likely to strike you if you:
- Chronic lung conditions such as COPD, asthma, or another.
- Have a history of the neurological, cardiac, renal, liver, blood vessel, or cardiovascular disease, including stroke.
- Have a disease that affects how your muscles work or make it difficult for you to cough, swallow, or remove fluids from your airways.
- Have diabetes.
- Have a compromised immune system (due to cancer, HIV/AIDS, or immunosuppressive medicines).
- Have a blood condition like sickle cell anemia.
- Have BMI higher than 40 (have obesity).
- Neither under 5 years old nor older than 65.
- Pregnancy.
- Are taking aspirin and younger than 19 years old.
- Residing at a long-term care facility
- In comparison, those who are Hispanic or Latino, non-Hispanic American Indians, non-Hispanic Alaska Natives, and non-Hispanic Black individuals had the highest incidence of serious flu disease.
CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS
What symptoms of the flu are there?
The flu's symptoms appear and can include:
- Fever.
- Chills.
- Body pains.
- Cough.
- Headache.
- Painful throat
- Runny or congested nose (congestion).
- Feeling drained or worn out.
- Vomiting or diarrhea (usually only in kids).
You might not experience all these signs.
Why does the flu occur?
Flu is brought on by the influenza virus. The three most prevalent forms of influenza that affect people are A, B, and C.
The symptoms of influenza A and B are more severe and are seasonal (the majority of cases occur in the winter). Influenza C doesn't have severe symptoms and isn't seasonal; it affects around the same number of people all year long.
Both H1N1 ("swine flu") and bird flu are Influenza A subtypes.
Is the flu contagious?
Yes, the flu is contagious (it spreads from person to person). For every person infected, they spread the flu to one to two more people.
How does the flu spread?
The influenza virus spreads from direct or indirect contact with someone else who’s infected. Common ways to get the flu include:
- From someone nearby coughing, sneezing, or talking. Droplets can either get onto your hands or move through the air to get into your nose or mouth. The flu then moves into your lungs.
- By touching a surface that’s contaminated by the flu virus, then touching your face, nose, mouth, or eyes. This includes things like door knobs, desks, computers, and phones.
- By touching the hands or face of someone who has the flu, then touching your face, nose, mouth, or eyes.
How soon will I get the flu after being exposed?
You experience flu symptoms one to four days after exposure if you are infected (incubation period).
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
How is influenza identified?
By taking note of your symptoms and examining a sample of nasal mucus, your doctor can determine whether you have the flu. To check for influenza, they will insert a long stick with a soft tip (swab) into your nose. Results could come back in a matter of minutes, or your doctor might send the sample to a lab, where they would come back in a day or two.
MANAGEMENT & TREATMENT
How is influenza managed?
Antiviral drugs can be used by healthcare professionals in some situations to treat the flu. Antivirals can shorten the length of your illness and lower your risk of developing a serious disease. Many people are able to treat the flu without using prescription drugs. If the following applies to you:
- Have symptoms for less than 48 hours. If you take an antiviral medication after two days of symptoms, it is less likely to be effective. Your body has begun to ward off the virus with its own antibodies because it has already multiplied into new copies.
- A risk for developing a serious illness or having an underlying ailment.
- Antivirals may still be prescribed by healthcare professionals if you've experienced symptoms for more than 48 hours.
- Even if you have been before.
What drugs are used to treat influenza?
Drugs that are antiviral for influenza include:
- Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu®). Oseltamivir is ingested, either as a liquid or a tablet. Usually, you take it for some days.
- Zanamivir (Relenza®). An inhaler is used to breathe zanamivir into your mouth. , you have to take it for a few days. People with breathing disorders like asthma or COPD shouldn't use zanamivir.
- Parivar (Rapivap®). Using an IV, your healthcare provider administers peramivir to your veins. Peramivir often only requires one dosage.
- Marboxil baloxavir (Xofluza®). By mouth, you take a tablet or liquid form of baloxavir marboxil. One dosage is all you need. When breastfeeding, pregnant, hospitalized, or suffering from certain medical conditions, baloxavir is not advised.
Providers should be informed of any health.
Adverse effects of therapy
There are various adverse effects associated with antiviral medications.
But nausea and diarrhea are frequent. Inhaled drugs may produce airway spasms that constrict and restrict them (bronchospasm).
How can I treat the flu's symptoms?
With over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and other treatments, many people can treat flu symptoms at home, including:
- Getting a lot of sleep.
- Consuming liquids, such as broth or water, helps prevent dehydration.
- Aching muscles can be soothed by using heat packs or hot water bottles.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Advil®, Motrin®, Aleve®) can help reduce fever.
- Ease headaches and body pains.
- A runny or stuffy nose can be relieved by using spray or oral decongestants such as phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine.
- Dextromethorphan is one cough suppressant (antitussive) that can assist ease persistent coughing.
- The removal of mucus from your lungs is made simpler by the use of expectorants like guaifenesin.
Consult your provider before using any OTC medications that not everyone should take. It's also a good idea to confirm that taking certain medications with or without supplements is safe. Children under the age of 16 should not be given aspirin unless their doctor has authorized it.
When do you need to have a booster shot for the flu vaccine? How long does it last after being vaccinated once?
PREVENTION
How do I avoid getting the flu?
Getting the flu shot is the most effective approach to avoid getting the flu. Immune system training from vaccinations teaches your body to spot diseases and fight them off before you become ill. You should get vaccinated since the influenza virus can alter (mutate) each year.
The flu vaccine lowers your risk of developing a serious illness, even if you end up becoming sick with a different strain of the virus than the one in the vaccine. Your healthcare professional can administer the flu shot or nasal spray forms of the vaccine.
Additional measures to lower your chance of contracting the flu include:
- Wash your hands with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you are unable to wash your hands with soap and water.
- When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose. Instead of using your bare hand to cough or sneeze, use your elbow or a tissue.
- When you or another person has the flu or any contagious illness, stay away from other people.
- If you're unwell and can't avoid being among people, think about wearing a mask.
- Don't touch your mouth, nose, eyes, or face.
- Don't let anyone else use your forks, spoons, cups, or your food.
PERSPECTIVE / PROGNOSIS
When I have the flu, what can I expect?
The majority of people can control their flu symptoms at home and get better in a few days to a week. Keep an eye on your symptoms and seek medical help if necessary because it might cause serious sickness. If you have a medical problem that is underlying, this is very crucial.
Except when seeking medical attention, you should stay away from people if you have the flu.
How much time does the flu have?
From a few days to two weeks, the flu can last. Although they can appear, symptoms like fever and body aches subside more quickly than other symptoms. A persistent cough or runny nose is possible.
How long does the flu remain contagious?
From the day before your symptoms appear to a week thereafter, you can still be contagious if you have the flu. Three to four days following the onset of your symptoms, you are most contagious. Infants and those with compromised immune systems may remain contagious for longer.
When can I resume work or school?
You shouldn't return to work or school until at least 24 hours have passed.
Since you last had a fever prevent the flu from spreading to others (without taking fever-reducing medications). There can be different prerequisites for returning from your work or education.
Complications
The flu virus itself can be problematic, or it might compromise your immune system.
Make it easier for bacteria to spread throughout your body (secondary infection). Secondary infections and complications include:
- Infected ears.
- Infection of the nose.
- Severe bronchitis (pneumonia). Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other fatal complications can result from pneumonia.
- Lost pregnancy (miscarriage).
- NTDs in a developing fetus that a pregnant woman is carrying.
How many individuals each year die from the flu?
An average flu season in the US results in between 20,000 and 50,000 flu-related deaths. More than 300,000 to 500,000 people need to be hospitalized due to acute disease.
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