How does the flu differ from a common cold. What are the normal symptoms of influenza. Who is at higher risk for flu complications. When should you seek emergency medical care for flu symptoms. What is Reye’s syndrome and how is it related to the flu.

The Flu: More Than Just a Common Cold

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is often mistaken for a harmless illness. While most people recover within a week or two without complications, the flu can sometimes lead to serious health issues requiring emergency care. Each year, over 200,000 Americans are hospitalized due to flu-related complications, with tens of thousands succumbing to the illness.

The flu is caused by different strains of the influenza virus, which can be contracted through inhalation or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching one’s eyes, nose, or mouth. Symptoms typically appear 1 to 4 days after exposure.

Distinguishing Flu from Other Illnesses

Can you tell the difference between flu and a common cold? While they share some similarities, the flu usually has a more rapid onset and is generally more severe. It’s also important to note that the “stomach flu” is a misnomer and is not actually related to influenza, which rarely causes gastrointestinal issues in adults.

Recognizing Normal Flu Symptoms

Understanding the typical symptoms of influenza can help you identify the illness early and take appropriate action. Common flu symptoms include:

• High fever
• Headache
• Extreme fatigue
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches

Effective Flu Treatments and Management

While flu vaccines can prevent certain strains, treatment options are limited once you’ve contracted the virus. However, there are steps you can take to manage symptoms and promote recovery:

1. Take antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), or zanamivir (Relenza) within 48 hours of symptom onset to potentially ease symptoms.
2. Use over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve body aches, headaches, and fever.
3. Take antihistamines and decongestants to alleviate congestion.
4. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
5. Get ample rest to allow your body to fight off the virus.

Is it true that antibiotics can treat the flu? No, antibiotics are ineffective against influenza because it’s caused by a virus, not bacteria. However, you may need antibiotics if you develop a secondary bacterial infection, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, as a complication of the flu.

Identifying High-Risk Groups for Flu Complications

While anyone can experience flu-related complications, certain groups are at higher risk:

• Newborns and children up to age 5 (especially those under 2)
• Adults over 65
• Pregnant women
• Residents of long-term care facilities
• Caregivers
• People with chronic conditions like asthma, neuromuscular disease, heart problems, or lung disease
• Individuals with weakened immune systems due to disease or medical treatments

Serious Complications of Influenza

In some cases, the flu can lead to severe health issues that require immediate medical attention. These complications may include:

• Pneumonia: A potentially life-threatening lung infection
• Myositis: Inflammation of the muscles
• Central nervous system disorders
• Heart problems: Including heart attacks, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), and pericarditis (inflammation of the sac around the heart)
• Exacerbation of existing chronic conditions like congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes

When to Seek Emergency Medical Care

Recognizing the signs of a flu emergency is crucial for timely intervention. Seek immediate medical attention if you or a family member experience any of the following symptoms:

• Coughing up blood
• Croup (characterized by a loud barking cough)
• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing
• Chest pain or pressure
• Confusion
• Bluish-colored lips or nails
• High fever
• Fever-induced convulsions (more common in children)
• Persistent or worsening fever or cough

Understanding Reye’s Syndrome: A Rare but Serious Complication

Reye’s syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that primarily affects children and teenagers. It often occurs following a viral infection such as the flu or chickenpox, particularly when aspirin is used to treat symptoms.

Symptoms of Reye’s Syndrome

Be aware of the following signs and symptoms associated with Reye’s syndrome:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion and delirium
• Listlessness
• Personality changes, including aggressive behavior
• Convulsions
• Loss of consciousness

Due to the link between Reye’s syndrome and aspirin use in children, it’s crucial to avoid giving aspirin to children or teenagers with flu-like symptoms unless specifically instructed by a doctor.

Navigating Flu Emergencies: When and How to Act

If you or a family member experience any signs or symptoms of a flu emergency, it’s essential to act quickly. Don’t hesitate to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Prompt medical attention can be life-saving in severe cases of influenza.

Preventing Flu Complications

While not all flu complications can be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Get vaccinated annually against the flu
• Practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing
• Stay home when you’re sick to avoid spreading the virus
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle to support your immune system
• Manage chronic conditions effectively to reduce vulnerability to complications

The Impact of Influenza on Public Health

The flu’s impact extends beyond individual cases, affecting communities and healthcare systems. Understanding the broader implications of influenza can help us appreciate the importance of prevention and prompt treatment.

Economic Burden of the Flu

How does the flu affect the economy? The annual cost of influenza in the United States is substantial, including:

• Direct medical costs for hospitalizations and outpatient visits
• Indirect costs due to lost productivity and absenteeism
• Expenses related to flu prevention and vaccination programs

Seasonal Flu Trends and Predictions

Flu activity typically peaks between December and February in the Northern Hemisphere, but can vary from year to year. Public health agencies monitor flu trends and make predictions to help healthcare systems prepare for potential surges in cases.

Advancements in Flu Prevention and Treatment

Research in influenza prevention and treatment continues to evolve, offering new hope for managing this persistent viral threat.

Emerging Antiviral Therapies

Scientists are working on developing new antiviral medications that can more effectively combat influenza viruses, including those resistant to current treatments. These advancements may lead to better outcomes for patients with severe flu infections.

Universal Flu Vaccine Research

Is it possible to create a “universal” flu vaccine? Researchers are exploring the possibility of developing a vaccine that would provide broader protection against multiple strains of influenza, potentially reducing the need for annual vaccinations.

The Role of Personal Responsibility in Flu Management

While medical interventions are crucial in managing severe flu cases, individual actions play a significant role in preventing the spread of influenza and mitigating its impact.

Practicing Social Responsibility

During flu season, it’s important to consider how our actions affect others. This includes:

• Staying home when sick to avoid spreading the virus
• Covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• Avoiding close contact with people who are ill
• Getting vaccinated to protect yourself and those around you who may be more vulnerable

Workplace and School Policies

How can organizations help reduce the spread of flu? Implementing supportive sick leave policies and encouraging remote work or online learning options during flu outbreaks can significantly reduce transmission rates.

The Future of Flu Management

As our understanding of influenza viruses grows and technology advances, we can expect to see improvements in how we prevent, detect, and treat the flu.

Artificial Intelligence in Flu Prediction

Can AI help us better predict flu outbreaks? Researchers are exploring the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to analyze data and predict flu trends more accurately, potentially allowing for more targeted prevention efforts.

Personalized Medicine Approaches

The future of flu treatment may involve more personalized approaches based on an individual’s genetic makeup and specific immune response to the virus. This could lead to more effective and tailored treatments for severe flu cases.

In conclusion, while the flu is often considered a minor inconvenience, it’s crucial to recognize its potential for serious complications. By understanding the symptoms, knowing when to seek help, and taking preventive measures, we can better protect ourselves and our communities from the impacts of influenza. As research continues to advance, we can look forward to improved methods of managing this persistent viral threat.

Chest Pain, Breathing, High Fever, and More

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Normal Flu Symptoms
• Flu Treatments
• Who’s at Risk?
• What Are Some Serious Complications?
• When to Call the Doctor
• Reye’s Syndrome
• What to Do in a Flu Emergency
• More

You may think of the flu as pretty harmless. Most of the time, it is. People typically recover after about a week or two without any lasting problems. But sometimes this illness can lead to serious complications that require emergency care.

Every year more than 200,000 people in the U.S. wind up in the hospital because of the flu. Tens of thousands die. Infants, the elderly, and people with certain diseases or weakened immune systems are the most at risk. But a flu emergency can happen to anyone. So it’s important to know the signs of trouble.

Different strains of the influenza virus cause the flu. You get it when you inhale the germ or pick it up on your hands and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Symptoms usually show up 1 to 4 days later.

The flu can be hard to tell from a cold. But it usually comes on faster and is more severe. The so-called “stomach flu” isn’t the same as influenza. The flu very rarely causes tummy trouble in adults.

Normal flu symptoms include:

• High fever
• Headache
• Tiredness (can be extreme)
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches

Although flu vaccines can prevent certain strains, there’s not much you can do after you get sick. If you take them within 48 hours after symptoms start, drugs like oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), and zanamivir (Relenza) may ease some symptoms. You can also:

• Take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to relieve body aches, headache, and fever.
• Take over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants to help with congestion.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Get plenty of rest.

Antibiotics don’t treat the flu. They only work against bacteria, and the flu is caused by a virus. You might need antibiotics if you get a secondary infection in your ear, sinuses, or lungs (like pneumonia or bronchitis).

Usually, you don’t need to see the doctor if you get the flu. Your body will fight off the virus on its own if you get enough rest. But sometimes you — or a family member — may have serious problems as a result of the flu. Those more likely to get them include:

• Newborns and children up to age 5 (especially kids under age 2)
• People over age 65
• Pregnant women
• People who live in long-term care facilities
• Caregivers
• People with chronic diseases like asthma, neuromuscular disease, heart problems, or lung disease
• People with a weakened immune system, either from a disease or its treatment

• Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs. If untreated, it can be life-threatening.
• Muscle inflammation (myositis)
• Central nervous system diseases
• Heart problems like heart attacks, inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), and inflammation of the sac around the heart (pericarditis)
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions like congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes

If you or your child get any of the following symptoms, get medical care at once. You may have a serious complication that requires treatment.

• Coughing up blood
• Croup, which causes a loud barking cough
• Wheezing
• Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing
• Pain or pressure in the chest
• Confusion
• Bluish-colored lips or nails
• High fever
• Convulsions from fever (this usually affects children)
• Fever or cough that becomes severe or won’t go away

This serious illness occurs most often in children. It may follow infection with the flu or other viral diseases like chickenpox. It often happens after the child takes aspirin. Reye’s syndrome affects the liver and brain. It’s rare, but it can be life-threatening.

Symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion and delirium
• Listlessness
• Personality changes such as aggressiveness
• Convulsions
• Unconsciousness

Because of its link to Reye’s syndrome, never give aspirin to children or teenagers unless your doctor says it’s OK.

If you or a family member has any signs or symptoms of a flu emergency, call 911 right away or go to the emergency room. Don’t wait.

Top Picks

Chest Pain, Breathing, High Fever, and More

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Normal Flu Symptoms
• Flu Treatments
• Who’s at Risk?
• What Are Some Serious Complications?
• When to Call the Doctor
• Reye’s Syndrome
• What to Do in a Flu Emergency
• More

You may think of the flu as pretty harmless. Most of the time, it is. People typically recover after about a week or two without any lasting problems. But sometimes this illness can lead to serious complications that require emergency care.

Every year more than 200,000 people in the U.S. wind up in the hospital because of the flu. Tens of thousands die. Infants, the elderly, and people with certain diseases or weakened immune systems are the most at risk. But a flu emergency can happen to anyone. So it’s important to know the signs of trouble.

Different strains of the influenza virus cause the flu. You get it when you inhale the germ or pick it up on your hands and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Symptoms usually show up 1 to 4 days later.

The flu can be hard to tell from a cold. But it usually comes on faster and is more severe. The so-called “stomach flu” isn’t the same as influenza. The flu very rarely causes tummy trouble in adults.

Normal flu symptoms include:

• High fever
• Headache
• Tiredness (can be extreme)
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches

Although flu vaccines can prevent certain strains, there’s not much you can do after you get sick. If you take them within 48 hours after symptoms start, drugs like oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), and zanamivir (Relenza) may ease some symptoms. You can also:

• Take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to relieve body aches, headache, and fever.
• Take over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants to help with congestion.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Get plenty of rest.

Antibiotics don’t treat the flu. They only work against bacteria, and the flu is caused by a virus. You might need antibiotics if you get a secondary infection in your ear, sinuses, or lungs (like pneumonia or bronchitis).

Usually, you don’t need to see the doctor if you get the flu. Your body will fight off the virus on its own if you get enough rest. But sometimes you — or a family member — may have serious problems as a result of the flu. Those more likely to get them include:

• Newborns and children up to age 5 (especially kids under age 2)
• People over age 65
• Pregnant women
• People who live in long-term care facilities
• Caregivers
• People with chronic diseases like asthma, neuromuscular disease, heart problems, or lung disease
• People with a weakened immune system, either from a disease or its treatment

• Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs. If untreated, it can be life-threatening.
• Muscle inflammation (myositis)
• Central nervous system diseases
• Heart problems like heart attacks, inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), and inflammation of the sac around the heart (pericarditis)
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions like congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes

If you or your child get any of the following symptoms, get medical care at once. You may have a serious complication that requires treatment.

• Coughing up blood
• Croup, which causes a loud barking cough
• Wheezing
• Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing
• Pain or pressure in the chest
• Confusion
• Bluish-colored lips or nails
• High fever
• Convulsions from fever (this usually affects children)
• Fever or cough that becomes severe or won’t go away

This serious illness occurs most often in children. It may follow infection with the flu or other viral diseases like chickenpox. It often happens after the child takes aspirin. Reye’s syndrome affects the liver and brain. It’s rare, but it can be life-threatening.

Symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion and delirium
• Listlessness
• Personality changes such as aggressiveness
• Convulsions
• Unconsciousness

Because of its link to Reye’s syndrome, never give aspirin to children or teenagers unless your doctor says it’s OK.

If you or a family member has any signs or symptoms of a flu emergency, call 911 right away or go to the emergency room. Don’t wait.

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Why is the flu so dangerous? – ZATO Saying

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• 9000 7

the end of March.

Let’s figure out how to distinguish influenza from ordinary SARS and why it is so insidious.

Influenza is popularly called any sufficiently severe cold that cannot be carried on one’s feet. But how can you tell the real flu from other SARS?

Temperature. When infected with common rhinoviruses and adenoviruses, if there is a fever, it is small – just above 37 ⁰С. Occasionally, the temperature can rise to 38-38.5 ⁰С. For the flu, a high fever is common. People with influenza complain of a temperature below 40 ⁰С, which rises sharply, in the very first hours of illness, and can last three to four days.

Sore throat. A cold usually starts with a moderate to severe sore throat that resolves within a couple of days. The flu does not always cause a sore throat, although it is possible.

Runny nose. This is a typical manifestation of a cold – a sore throat is followed by a runny nose. First, the nose runs, then stuffiness appears. People with a cold often sneeze because of a runny nose. For influenza, a runny nose, nasal congestion and sneezing are not typical, but sometimes they do occur.

Pain in the head and muscles. These symptoms appear mainly with influenza, together with high fever.

Weakness. A person who catches the influenza virus feels very lethargic and almost exhausted. Weakness is present throughout the illness and may persist for a couple of weeks after recovery. With other SARS, there is no such a serious breakdown, there can only be a slight lethargy.

Cough. During a cold, a slight cough may appear on the fourth or fifth day. It is usually superficial and dry, does not cause much discomfort. People with the flu almost always have a cough, and it is much more serious and unpleasant. It is paroxysmal, hysterical, sputum can depart. Flu patients also complain of pain in the chest area.

Why is it important to distinguish the flu from the common cold?

Both the flu and other colds go away on their own, usually within a week. Only the symptoms need to be treated: to bring down too high a temperature, rinse the nose, gargle, if necessary, take expectorants and mucolytics.

But if a cold passes without leaving a trace, then the flu is fraught with serious complications – especially for people at risk . These include:

• Children under five years of age (and especially toddlers under two years of age)
• Older people over 65
• Pregnant women, women within two weeks of giving birth
• People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• People with diseases of the cardiovascular system: ischemic heart disease, chronic heart failure, heart disease
• People with neurological disorders: epilepsy, cerebral palsy (CP), muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury
• Patients with diabetes mellitus
• People with chronic diseases of the liver and kidneys
• Immunocompromised people (due to HIV or cancer treatment)
• Severely obese people (body mass index over 40)

All those at high risk should receive an annual flu shot, the only effective preventive measure. However, vaccination will not hurt everyone else either.

But if you still haven’t been vaccinated and get the flu, what complications can you expect and how to deal with them?

It is worth being alert if during the flu the temperature lasts longer than three or four days – this may indicate that a secondary infection has joined: bronchitis, pneumonia, tonsillitis (tonsillitis), sinusitis (sinusitis or other inflammation of the sinuses), otitis media (usually happens in children).

In tonsillitis, the pain in the throat is very severe, so much so that it becomes unbearable to swallow. Tonsils increase, purulent plugs form in them. The temperature, which has already begun to subside, again rises to high values ​​- up to 40 ⁰С. Angina is treated with antibiotics.

For sinusitis, nasal congestion does not go away within 5-7 days. The fever persists, the head begins to hurt, especially in the eyes and forehead. Sometimes antibiotics are required for sinusitis, but topical agents and nasal irrigation can often be dispensed with. In especially advanced cases, punctures are made through which the pus accumulated in the sinuses is removed.

Among the most unpleasant and dangerous complications of influenza are bronchitis and pneumonia. Bronchitis can be suspected in a person if the cough after suffering the flu does not go away even after two to three weeks. With bronchitis, the chest is “laid down”, the cough is strong, usually with sputum. The temperature is kept, but it is not high, the throat may also hurt. Most often, bronchitis resolves on its own within a few weeks, in rare cases, antibiotics are needed.

Pneumonia is a more serious condition. Such a complication occurs after the flu, if a bacterial (rarely viral) infection that affects the lungs joins. When pneumonia occurs, severe fever, chills, cough with sputum (sometimes streaked with blood), shortness of breath, chest pain. To confirm the diagnosis, a chest x-ray is required. Usually, a course of antibiotics is needed to treat pneumonia. Running pneumonia can lead to the hospital, and in severe cases, life-threatening.

What to do?

All people at risk (or better, everyone) should get a flu shot before the start of the season.

There is also a vaccine against the most common pneumonia pathogens – pneumococci. Such a vaccination will reduce the risk of getting the most serious complication of the flu.

If you suspect influenza, you should call a doctor to confirm the diagnosis with an analysis (nasopharyngeal swab).

Remember that only a doctor can make a diagnosis and choose the right treatment, do not self-medicate!

If you have a very high temperature (above 38.5°C) that won’t go down, severe headache or chest pain, difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, severe dizziness and fainting, call an ambulance.

Source: health.mail.ru

How to Treat the Flu: Tips for Patients

Contents

• 1 How to Treat the Flu: Clear Information for Patients
  • 1. 1 What is Influenza?
  • 1.2 How can you get the flu?
  • 1.3 What are the symptoms of influenza?
  • 1.4 Proper treatment of influenza: what to do at the first sign?
  • 1.5 Are there any medicines for the flu?
  • 1.6 Flu Relief
  • 1.7 How long does flu fever last?
  • 1.8 How to continue treatment after flu symptoms stop?
  • 1.9 How can I prevent the flu?
    • 1.9.1 Vaccination
    • 1.9.2 Hygiene
    • 1.9.3 Strengthening immunity
    • 1.9.4 Common sense
  • 1.10 How can you protect your loved ones from getting the flu?
  • 1.11 When should I see a doctor if I have the flu?
  • 1.12 Related videos:
  • 1.13 Q&A:
    • • 1.13.0.1 How to protect yourself from influenza?
      • 1.13.0.2 How can I tell if I have the flu?
      • 1.13.0.3 How to quickly recover from the flu?
      • 1.13.0.4 Can influenza be treated with antibiotics?
      • 1.13. 0.5 How to get rid of a sore throat with the flu?
      • 1.13.0.6 What are the consequences of influenza?

Find out which medicines are effective for treating influenza, what recommendations for managing the disease exist. Information for the patient, which will help you cope with an unpleasant illness faster.

Getting sick with the flu is quite unpleasant, especially if you have caught a strong virus. But even if you feel really bad, don’t despair – it’s important to remember that this illness is usually harmless if you respond to the symptoms correctly and take care of your health.

In this article, we will tell you how to properly treat the flu in order to recover faster and protect your loved ones from infection. We will tell you about what symptoms usually occur with the flu, what drugs help to cope with the disease and what to do to strengthen your immunity before a viral attack.

Keep in mind that the flu is a highly contagious disease spread through the air and contact with contaminated surfaces. So if you have flu symptoms, feel free to stay at home and avoid close contact with people for a few days.

What is influenza?

Influenza is an acute viral disease that affects the human upper respiratory tract. Influenza is transmitted very easily and quickly, especially during an epidemic, when the virus is actively circulating among the population.

It is important to understand that the flu can cause serious complications, especially in people who are immunocompromised. Therefore, influenza treatment should be started as early as possible to reduce the risk of complications and speed up recovery.

How can you get the flu?

Influenza is a viral illness that can be passed from one person to another. There are several ways you can get the flu.

• Airborne. This mode of influenza transmission is the most common. Influenza viruses spread through the air when coughing, sneezing, talking or breathing, and infect healthy people who are close to the sick person.
• Contact way. Influenza can be transmitted through surfaces that have been exposed to viruses from the patient’s secretions. If a healthy person touches such a surface and then touches their nose, mouth, or eyes, they are at high risk of contracting the flu.
• Food way. Very rare, but there is still a chance of contracting the flu through food. If food is contaminated with influenza viruses and is eaten, the viruses can enter the body and cause illness.

To avoid getting the flu, you need to maintain good hygiene and avoid contact with people who are sick. If you already have the flu, remember to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze to avoid infecting others.

What are the symptoms of influenza?

High body temperature is one of the main symptoms of influenza. It can reach 39-40 degrees and last for several days.
Severe weakness and fatigue – Influenza causes general weakness and fatigue already in the first stage of the disease.
Muscle pain – Influenza causes severe muscle pain throughout the body, especially in the back and neck.
Nasal congestion and cough – in the early stages of the disease, a dry cough and nasal congestion appear, which over time can turn into sputum and runny nose.
Headache and eye pain – Influenza causes acute headache and eye pain associated with impaired blood flow and increased intraocular pressure.

Proper treatment of influenza: what to do at the first sign?

Influenza is an infectious disease that is accompanied by a number of characteristic symptoms, including: fever, weakness, runny nose, sore throat, headache and others.

If you notice the first signs of influenza, do not delay treatment. The following suggestions will help speed up your recovery:

1. Relax . As the body temperature rises, the body fights the infection harder. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce physical activity and, if possible, completely rest.
2. Drink plenty of fluids. Proper drinking helps flush out toxins and bacteria from the body. It is recommended to drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day.
3. Use symptomatic medications . Their goal is to reduce flu symptoms such as sore throat, headache, runny nose. However, before taking any medication, be sure to consult your doctor.
4. Maintain good hygiene. The flu is transmitted by airborne droplets. Therefore, it is necessary to observe basic hygiene rules: periodically ventilate the room, wash your hands, use only your personal dishes and towels.

Reminder: You should see your doctor if your symptoms start to get worse or if you have symptoms of complications such as trouble breathing, chest pain, or confusion. Do not forget that only a doctor can prescribe the correct treatment for influenza.

Are there any medicines for the flu?

Influenza is a viral illness caused by the influenza virus. There are many medications that can help reduce flu symptoms and speed up recovery. However, you need to understand that the flu virus can quickly mutate, causing new strains, so drugs that were good for last year’s flu may be useless for the current one.

Flu medicines are most effective when taken within 48 hours of symptom onset. To achieve the best result, you should consult a doctor who will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

• — Treatment of influenza should start from the very beginning, when the first symptoms appear.
• — While there are flu medicines, they can be useless if taken too late.
• — The most effective flu medicines should be taken within the first 48 hours after symptoms start.

Flu Relief

Follow these simple steps to help relieve flu symptoms:

• Stay home and relax.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and body pain.
• Keep your room cool and damp.
• Use a humidifier or just put a little saline solution in your nose to relieve nasal congestion.
• Wash your hands often and do not cough in front of other people.

If symptoms do not improve after a few days, consult a doctor. Some people may need medication or other medical care to manage severe flu symptoms.

How long does the flu fever last?

One of the flu symptoms that most patients worry about is high fever. It occurs as a result of the activation of the immune system and the body’s fight against the virus. The time of its increase and duration depend on the individual characteristics of each person.

If the temperature does not drop for more than 5-7 days and is accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, it is necessary to consult a doctor for qualified medical assistance. Self-medication and prolonged fever can lead to complications and poor health.

• Important to know! If you suffer from cardiovascular disease or other chronic diseases, high fever can greatly affect your condition and requires more careful monitoring and treatment.

How to continue treatment after flu symptoms stop?

After flu symptoms have stopped, it is important to continue treatment to fully recover.

• Drink plenty of fluids. Water, herbal teas, and broths help cleanse the body of toxins that form during illness. They also support kidney function and facilitate the breakdown of bacteria and viruses that may be left in the body.
• Get enough nutrients. Food should contain enough protein, vitamins and minerals to help repair the body and strengthen the immune system. Prefer fresh fruits and vegetables, store-bought products with a short expiration date may contain too many preservatives.
• Maintain good hygiene. Continue cleaning and disinfecting your hands and the area around you. This can prevent reinfection and also help stop the spread to other people.

It is important to remember that you should continue treatment even if you look and feel better, because bacteria and viruses can remain in the body for several weeks and continue to infect organs and tissues, which can lead to complications in the future.

How to prevent the flu?

Vaccination

Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza today. The vaccine contains influenza viruses that help the body develop antibodies against the pathogen. Therefore, vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of getting the flu and mitigate the course of the disease in those who do get sick.

Hygiene

One of the easiest ways to prevent the flu is to practice good hygiene. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water, using hand sanitizers and everyday items, and avoiding contact with people who are sick are all steps you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the flu.

Strengthening the immune system

Strengthening the immune system is another way to prevent the flu. Regular physical activity, a nutritious and fortified diet, as well as a healthy lifestyle – all this helps the body to more effectively resist the disease and overcome it more quickly.

Common sense

Simple precautions such as avoiding crowded places, not touching your face with your hands, keeping as much distance as possible from sick people can also help prevent the flu and not contract this dangerous disease.

• Getting vaccinated is the best way to reduce your risk of getting the flu.
• Maintaining good hygiene – washing hands, using hand sanitizers and everyday items.
• Strengthening the immune system – regular exercise, a healthy lifestyle and a nutritious diet help to fight disease more effectively.
• Take simple precautions – avoid contact with people who are sick, avoid crowded places, do not touch your face with your hands.

How can you protect your loved ones from getting the flu?

Influenza is highly contagious and one person can infect others within hours before symptoms appear. Therefore, the following measures will help keep your loved ones safe:

• Washing your hands frequently is the single most important way to prevent transmission. Soap and water are recommended, but alcohol-based hand sanitizers can also be used.
• Avoid contact with infected people Do not get close to people who are coughing or sneezing. If you must go out in public, try to stay away from sick people.
• Use masks – If someone in your family is ill, it is recommended that you use medical masks to protect yourself from infection.
• Stay home if you are sick – If you have flu symptoms, stay home and do not go to work, school or social events. This will help prevent the spread of infection.
• Disinfect surfaces – Clean and disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu (eg, doorknobs, tables, keyboards). If you have a sick person in the house, do this more often.

By following these tips, you can help keep your loved ones safe from the flu and prevent the spread of the flu on a large scale.

When should I see a doctor if I have the flu?

Most cases of influenza can be treated at home, but some situations require medical attention.

• High fever – if the body temperature rises above 38 degrees and does not go down within a few days, you should consult a doctor.
• Severe chest or abdominal pain – If you experience severe chest or abdominal pain accompanied by difficulty breathing or coughing, call 911 immediately.
• No improvement – If flu symptoms persist after a few days of treatment, see a doctor.

If these symptoms appear, do not self-medicate – seek medical attention.

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Q&A:

How to protect yourself from the flu?

The main means of preventing influenza is vaccination. It is recommended to do it every year before the start of the epidemic season. You also need to observe hand hygiene, often ventilate the premises, avoid contact with sick people.

How can I tell if I have the flu?

Influenza symptoms: acute onset with high fever (up to 39-40 degrees), severe headache, fever, dry cough.