When should you see a doctor for flu symptoms. How can you tell if your flu is becoming dangerous. What are the warning signs that indicate you need medical attention for influenza. Why is it crucial to recognize severe flu symptoms early.

Understanding Flu Symptoms and Their Severity

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, affects millions of Americans each year. While most cases are mild and resolve on their own, some can become severe and even life-threatening. Recognizing when to seek medical attention is crucial for preventing complications and ensuring a swift recovery.

The flu typically causes symptoms such as:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Chills

In children, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur. While these symptoms are common, certain signs indicate a need for immediate medical attention.

Respiratory Distress: A Red Flag for Flu Complications

Breathing difficulties during a flu episode should never be ignored. Why is this symptom so concerning? Labored breathing could signal the onset of pneumonia, a potentially serious complication of influenza. Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, claims up to 49,000 lives annually in the United States.

How can you identify respiratory distress?

• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Wheezing
• Difficulty completing sentences due to breathlessness

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Early intervention can prevent the progression of respiratory complications and improve outcomes.

Chest Pain: When Your Heart Needs Attention

Chest pain or pressure during a flu episode is a symptom that demands immediate medical evaluation. Why is chest pain during flu so concerning? The flu virus can exacerbate existing heart conditions and even trigger heart attacks or strokes in individuals with cardiovascular disease.

How does the flu affect heart health?

• Increases inflammation in the body
• Puts additional stress on the heart
• Can destabilize arterial plaques

Research has shown that the risk of a heart attack increases six-fold during the first week of a confirmed flu infection. This underscores the importance of flu vaccination for individuals with heart disease and the need for prompt medical attention if chest pain occurs during a flu episode.

Severe Vomiting: The Risk of Dehydration and Beyond

While nausea and vomiting can occur with the flu, especially in children, severe or persistent vomiting is a cause for concern. Why should you be worried about excessive vomiting during flu? Severe vomiting can lead to dehydration, which complicates recovery and can be dangerous, particularly for young children and older adults.

Moreover, inability to keep fluids down could be a sign of a more serious condition called sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening complication that occurs when the body’s response to infection causes widespread inflammation and organ failure.

Signs of dehydration to watch for include:

• Dry mouth and lips
• Decreased urination
• Dizziness
• Rapid heartbeat

If you or a loved one experiences persistent vomiting or signs of dehydration during a flu episode, it’s essential to seek medical care promptly.

Pregnancy and Flu: A Combination Requiring Vigilance

Pregnant women are at higher risk for flu complications and should be particularly vigilant about flu symptoms. Why are pregnant women more vulnerable to flu complications? Pregnancy alters the immune system, heart, and lungs in ways that make pregnant women more susceptible to severe illness from influenza.

Potential risks of flu during pregnancy include:

• Preterm labor
• Low birth weight
• Increased risk of birth defects
• In severe cases, stillbirth or maternal death

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends flu vaccination for pregnant women. However, if you’re pregnant and develop flu symptoms, it’s crucial to contact your healthcare provider immediately. Early treatment with antiviral medications can help prevent serious complications.

Asthma and Flu: A Potentially Dangerous Duo

For the approximately 25 million Americans living with asthma, the flu can be particularly dangerous. How does asthma increase flu risks? Asthma affects the airways in the lungs, and people with asthma often have weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to severe flu symptoms and complications.

Risks for people with asthma who contract the flu include:

• Higher likelihood of hospitalization
• Increased risk of pneumonia
• Potential for severe asthma attacks

If you have asthma and develop flu symptoms, contact your doctor promptly. They may prescribe antiviral medications to help manage the illness. However, it’s important to note that the antiviral drug zanamivir (Relenza) is not recommended for people with asthma due to its potential to cause wheezing or other lung problems.

Heart Disease and Flu: A Potentially Lethal Combination

For the millions of Americans living with heart disease or the aftermath of a stroke, the flu poses significant risks. Why is the flu particularly dangerous for those with heart conditions? The flu can put additional stress on the cardiovascular system, potentially leading to serious complications.

Risks for people with heart disease who contract the flu include:

• Increased risk of heart attack
• Higher likelihood of stroke
• Potential for worsening of existing heart conditions

If you have heart disease and develop flu symptoms, it’s crucial to contact your healthcare provider immediately. Early treatment can help prevent serious complications and protect your heart health.

Recurring Symptoms: When the Flu Makes a Comeback

If flu symptoms seem to improve and then return with increased severity, it’s a sign that medical attention is needed. Why is a recurrence of symptoms concerning? This pattern could indicate the development of a secondary infection, such as pneumonia or sinusitis.

Signs that warrant immediate medical attention include:

• High fever that returns after initially subsiding
• Severe cough producing green or yellow mucus
• Worsening shortness of breath
• Increasing fatigue or weakness

These symptoms could indicate a bacterial infection that requires antibiotic treatment. Prompt medical evaluation can help prevent further complications and ensure appropriate treatment.

High-Risk Groups: Who Needs Extra Caution with Flu?

Certain groups of people are at higher risk for flu complications and should seek medical attention promptly if they develop flu symptoms. These high-risk groups include:

• Women who are up to two weeks postpartum
• Children younger than 5, especially those under 2
• Adults aged 65 and older
• Residents of long-term care facilities
• People with chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney or liver disorders, and chronic lung disease
• Individuals with weakened immune systems due to conditions like HIV or cancer
• People younger than 19 on long-term aspirin therapy
• Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher
• People of Native American (American Indian or Alaska Native) descent

If you fall into any of these categories and develop flu symptoms, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider promptly. Early intervention can help prevent serious complications and improve outcomes.

The Role of Antiviral Medications in Flu Treatment

Antiviral medications can play a crucial role in managing flu symptoms and preventing complications, but they must be prescribed by a healthcare provider. How do antiviral medications help with flu? When taken within two days of symptom onset, these medications can reduce the severity and duration of flu symptoms.

Benefits of antiviral medications for flu include:

• Shortening the duration of illness by about one day
• Reducing the risk of serious complications
• Potentially decreasing the severity of symptoms

It’s important to note that antiviral medications are most effective when started early in the course of the illness. This underscores the importance of seeking medical attention promptly if you develop flu symptoms, especially if you’re in a high-risk group.

The Importance of Flu Prevention

While recognizing when to seek medical attention for flu is crucial, prevention remains the best strategy. How can you protect yourself and others from the flu? The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions.

Additional flu prevention strategies include:

• Practicing good hand hygiene
• Avoiding close contact with sick individuals
• Staying home when you’re ill to prevent spreading the virus
• Covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• Avoiding touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth

By combining these preventive measures with prompt medical attention when necessary, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from the potentially serious consequences of influenza.

Understanding the Impact of Flu on Public Health

The flu’s impact on public health is significant and often underestimated. How widespread is the flu in the United States? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 5% to 20% of Americans get sick with the flu annually. Since 2010, the CDC has estimated between 9.3 million and 49 million cases of flu each year.

The wide range in these estimates underscores the variability of flu seasons and the challenges in accurately tracking flu cases. Many people with mild symptoms may not seek medical care or get tested, leading to underreporting of cases.

The flu’s impact extends beyond individual illness to affect:

• Workplace productivity
• School attendance
• Healthcare system capacity
• Overall community health

Understanding the broad impact of influenza highlights the importance of both prevention strategies and appropriate medical care when symptoms arise.

The Evolution of Flu Viruses and Treatment Approaches

Influenza viruses are known for their ability to mutate rapidly, which poses challenges for both prevention and treatment. How does this affect flu management? The constant evolution of flu viruses necessitates annual updates to flu vaccines and ongoing research into antiviral treatments.

Recent developments in flu management include:

• More effective vaccine production methods
• Research into universal flu vaccines that could provide broader, longer-lasting protection
• Development of new antiviral medications
• Improved rapid diagnostic tests for flu

These advancements aim to enhance our ability to prevent, detect, and treat influenza effectively. However, they also underscore the importance of staying informed about current recommendations and seeking medical advice when flu symptoms arise.

The Role of Personal Health in Flu Outcomes

While anyone can get seriously ill from the flu, overall health and lifestyle factors can influence the severity of the illness and the risk of complications. How does personal health affect flu outcomes? Factors such as nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and sleep can all impact immune function and the body’s ability to fight off infections.

Ways to support your immune system and potentially reduce flu severity include:

• Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Getting adequate sleep
• Managing stress through techniques like meditation or yoga
• Staying hydrated
• Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and smoking

While these lifestyle factors can support overall health and potentially improve flu outcomes, they do not replace the need for vaccination or prompt medical attention when severe symptoms arise.

The Importance of Community Awareness and Education

Combating the flu effectively requires a community-wide approach. How can increased awareness and education help manage flu outbreaks? By educating the public about flu prevention, symptoms, and when to seek medical care, communities can reduce the spread of influenza and its impact on public health.

Effective community education initiatives might include:

• School-based programs on hygiene and flu prevention
• Workplace policies that encourage flu vaccination and staying home when sick
• Public health campaigns about recognizing severe flu symptoms
• Community outreach to high-risk populations about flu risks and prevention

By fostering a well-informed community, we can collectively reduce the burden of influenza and ensure that those who need medical attention receive it promptly.

8 Signs You Should Go to the Doctor for the Flu

Most people who come down with the flu experience mild illness that usually runs its course within a week or two. In this case, a trip to the doctor might not be necessary.

But for people who are at risk of complications from the disease, the flu can become life-threatening. Even if you live a healthy lifestyle, you can get seriously ill from flu.

The flu can cause some or all of these symptoms:

• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffed nose
• muscle aches
• headaches
• tiredness
• fever
• vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)
• chills

Every year, between 5 to 20 percent of Americans get sick with the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated between 9.3 million and 49 million cases of the flu every year since 2010.

So, when should you see a doctor if you’ve got the flu? Here are eight reasons to seek medical attention.

Being sick with flu shouldn’t affect your breathing. It could be a sign of a something more serious, such as pneumonia, an infection of the lungs.

Pneumonia is a common and potentially serious complication of flu. It causes up to 49,000 deaths in the United States every year.

Feeling pain or pressure in your chest is another warning sign that you shouldn’t ignore.

The flu can trigger heart attacks and strokes in people with heart disease. Chest pain is also a common symptom of pneumonia.

Vomiting depletes your body of fluids, making it difficult to get well from the flu. Because of this, you should call your doctor to get examined.

Vomiting or not being able to keep liquids down could also be a sign of sepsis, a serious flu-related complication. If not treated immediately, sepsis can lead to organ failure.

If you’re pregnant and get sick with the flu, you’re at a higher risk of complications, such as bronchitis.

You’re also at a higher risk of having your baby prematurely or at a low birthweight. In some cases, having the flu while pregnant may even lead to stillbirth or death.

The CDC recommends that all pregnant women get a flu shot. But it does not recommend the nasal spray flu vaccine for pregnant women.

One in 13 Americans has asthma, a disease that affects the airways in the lungs. Because people with asthma tend to have weaker immune systems, symptoms of the flu are often worse.

Adults and children with asthma are also more likely to be hospitalized for flu complications and develop pneumonia compared with those who don’t have asthma.

If you have asthma, you should see your doctor about taking an antiviral medication. But you shouldn’t take the antiviral drug zanamivir (Relenza), as it can cause wheezing or other lung problems.

About 92 million Americans have some form of heart disease or live with the aftermath of a stroke. If you are one of these people, you’re more likely to develop serious flu-related complications.

Researchers have found that the risk of a heart attack goes up six-fold during the first week of a confirmed flu infection.

If you live with heart disease, the best way to avoid the virus and potential hospital care is to get the flu vaccine.

Your symptoms shouldn’t reappear after they’ve subsided. A high fever and a severe cough that produces green or yellow mucus are possible signs of an infection such as pneumonia.

You’re at a higher risk of flu complications and should seek medical treatment right away if you fall into one of these categories:

• women who are up to two weeks postpartum
• children younger than 5, but especially those younger than age 2
• adults ages 65 years and older
• residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes
• people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, kidney or liver disorders, and chronic lung disease
• people with weakened immune systems due to conditions such as HIV or cancer
• people younger than 19 who are on long-term aspirin therapy or take salicylate-based medication
• people who are obese with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more
• people of Native American (American Indian or Alaska Native) descent

If you’re over the age of 2, you can use over-the-counter (OTC) medications to ease your symptoms at the start. However, it’s more important to see a doctor immediately. Parents of children under 2 should consult a pediatrician before giving them OTC medications.

Antiviral drugs can only be prescribed by a doctor or healthcare provider. Taking antiviral medications within two days of getting sick has been shown to lessen symptoms and shorten the length of the illness by one day.

If you relate to any of the points above, you should make seeing your doctor a priority. Even if you don’t have asthma, chest pain, or symptoms that have returned, if you’re ill with the flu virus and you feel something isn’t quite right, you should seek medical attention.

When Should I See a Doctor for the Flu?

Overview

If you get the flu, you’ll likely experience a high fever, sore throat, cough, and lots of aches and pains. You might feel like you don’t need to see a doctor, and opt to treat yourself with extra rest and fluids. But in certain cases, seeing a doctor will help you get better faster and prevent major complications.

Since 2010 in the United States, the flu has resulted in 140,000 to 960,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 to 79,000 deaths each year. During the 2017-2018 season, there were at least 185 flu-associated deaths in children, and roughly 80 percent of these deaths occurred in children who hadn’t received a flu vaccination.

Even though most people recover in a week or two at home, the flu shouldn’t be taken lightly. Being aware of when you should see a doctor is important.

Symptoms of the flu are similar to the common cold, but tend to come on more rapidly and are much more severe.

The most common symptoms of the flu include:

• fatigue
• fever above 100°F (38°C)
• sore throat
• dry or wet cough
• chills
• muscle aches
• runny or stuffy nose

You should go to the emergency room if you have any of these symptoms:

• difficulty breathing
• chest pain
• confusion
• severe or persistent vomiting
• sudden dizziness
• severe neck stiffness
• loss of consciousness

Some people are at a higher risk of experiencing dangerous flu-related complications, like pneumonia or bronchitis.

You’re considered high risk and should see a doctor at the first signs of the flu if:

• you are age 65 or older
• you have a chronic medical condition (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease)
• you have a compromised immune system
• you are pregnant or up to two weeks’ postpartum
• you’re a nursing home resident

If you fit into one of these categories, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication. These medications work best when they’re taken within the first 48 hours after symptoms start. The earlier you can see a doctor, the better.

If you’re not considered high risk and you’re not having severe symptoms, you can likely skip a trip to the doctor and ride out the flu with rest and fluids.

But there are a few other reasons you should plan a doctor’s visit. These include:

• your fever gets better, then suddenly worsens
• your symptoms don’t improve within two weeks
• you can’t get rid of your cough or your cough begins producing thick mucus
• pain is concentrated in a single area (like your ear, chest, or sinuses)

Most people recover from the flu within a week. But if you start to get better and then rapidly deteriorate and your fever spikes again, this could mean you have a flu complication. The main complications of the flu are infections of the sinuses or lungs (pneumonia).

If you get sick with the flu and are at high risk of flu complications or you’re concerned about your illness, you can always call your doctor’s office for advice and to find out if they think you should come in.

If you decide to head to the doctor’s office or emergency room, wear a facemask if you have one. Wash your hands and cover your coughs and sneezes to avoid spreading the virus to others.

Getting a flu vaccine can greatly lower your chances of getting the flu. In the 2016–2017 flu season, the flu vaccine helped prevent an estimated 5.3 million flu-related illnesses, 2.6 million medical visits, and 85,000 hospitalizations in the United States.

How doctors treat influenza: doctors told what they do if they get sick themselves

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Doctors shared tips on what they do themselves if they get ARVI or flu and are treated at home. Everyone says the same thing – there is no one way to quickly get better, but there are complex methods that you can also adopt.

December 16, 20224

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If you catch a virus – SARS, flu, covid – and the disease proceeds without complications, then any doctor will leave you to recover at home, and some will not even prescribe any medications.

– There is no magic pill to get rid of the virus . But then there are remedies that will ease your condition and speed up your recovery – and they will not cost you a penny, the doctors said in an interview with the Huffigton Post. – This is how we treat influenza and SARS ourselves if we become infected during the epidemic.

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How Doctors Treat When They Get Sick

Eat the Right Foods

“I support my body when I get sick with rest, plenty of fluids, and high protein foods,” says Dr. Dhawal Desai of Atlanta. – The patient’s diet should include eggs, fish, chicken, natural yogurt, whole grains. But it is better to exclude sausage and products that do not have nutritional value, as well as coffee and strong tea.

Do not drink alcohol during illness, doctors add, it can disturb your sleep, dehydrates and categorically does not combine with antipyretics if they have to be taken.

Drink a lot

Hydration is essentially a healing treatment, doctors are sure. It is imperative to drink during illness – and even more than you usually do.

— It is obligatory to drink warm water when you are sick. Not bad if the drinks are with vitamin C – fruit drinks, decoctions, diluted natural juices. The optimal ratio of water to other liquids is 70 to 30, advises doctor Elena Chernenko. – During an illness at a temperature, you should drink up to 100 ml of liquid per kilogram of body weight and up to 50 ml per kg of body weight – for coughing, runny nose and SARS without fever. We are talking about the rate of fluid per kilogram of normal human body weight – minus extra pounds.

Sleep a lot and stop exercising

If you don’t feel well, your body needs to rest, and it’s a bad idea to limit yourself to hours of sleep. According to Mayo Clinic , “When you don’t get enough sleep, there are fewer antibodies and infection-fighting cells.” So sleep deprivation will take longer to recover.

– If I’m sick, slow down as much as possible and let the body’s immune system do its job, says Florida family doctor Christopher Scuderi . – If I wake up when I’m sick, I try to fall asleep again and allow myself to take a nap in the afternoon, go to bed early. And also – I categorically refuse any serious physical activity and additional obligations on the days of illness.

“Even if there is no fever and you feel better, you don’t need to start general cleaning, wash dishes, scrub floors,” doctor Elena Chernenko also advises. – Give your body a rest.

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Monitor symptoms closely

“I definitely listen to my body and its signals,” says doctor Desai. – And I can’t stand it if I have a headache or a temperature above 38 – I use symptomatic treatment. But the main thing here is not to overdo it.

As the therapist warned earlier, if the high temperature does not subside after taking the pill, it is absolutely impossible to take the second one.

It is not worth prescribing pills on your own if you have any health problems or unusual symptoms without a doctor, the doctors say unanimously. Especially when it comes to small children.

“We don’t recommend using cough suppressants or any other over-the-counter cold medicine for young children, for example, without the advice of a doctor,” says the doctor. “It can have dangerous consequences for their health and life.

Use gargle and honey

— If you have a sore throat, salt water gargles work very well , says Scuderi. – Preparing the solution is simple – mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle with them – this may bring temporary relief.

“I use honey as a natural cough suppressant,” notes Desai. – Studies have shown that honey can reduce coughs in children and adults. If you feel unwell, you can add some honey to your tea or oatmeal. Important – it is contraindicated for children under one year old and with individual intolerance.

Use humidifiers

“When I get sick, I turn on the humidifier and go to bed,” Flores, a pediatrician, says. — More than moisture-saturated air helps to facilitate breathing, reduces nasal congestion . If you don’t have a humidifier, you can spray water with a spray bottle or place a container of water in front of a fan. Important – if you have a chronic disease or the disease is severe, before you start using a humidifier, consult your doctor.

Do not take antibiotics

— Antibiotics work against bacterial infections, — doctor Desai explained. – A virus causes influenza and SARS. So such treatment can even be dangerous. If you take antibiotics in the hope of curing a cold, you are putting your body at risk of getting toxic effects. And over time—if you do this often—antibiotic resistance can develop. And pills will no longer help when the body really needs help.

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Stay at home

– If I get sick, I isolate myself from my relatives so as not to put them at risk, and, of course, I don’t go shopping and to work, — the doctors confirm. – It is very good to regularly ventilate the room where the sick person is located in order to prevent the spread of viruses.

As for flu and covid tests for mild illness, opinions are divided – some doctors believe that they should be done in order to know which virus has struck you and be prepared for possible complications that it can give. Others believe that testing is a waste of time and money.

— If you take a test and find out you have the flu, or covid, or neither, what should you do? The recipe is the same in all cases – stay at home, eat chicken soup, take paracetamol, be patient , says the famous doctor Alexander Myasnikov. — Testing may be justified when, for example, a severely febrile patient is admitted to the hospital. There may be various options – and a test is needed. But why he is in outpatient practice, I do not know.

Text author:Anna Mayskaya

What are the complications of the flu and why you need to go to the doctor – January 31, 2020

Rospotrebnadzor calls vaccination the only way to prevent influenza

Photo: Artem Lenz

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In Krasnoyarsk, the number of infected with SARS and influenza. If two weeks ago the incidence rate was 30.3 per 10 thousand of the population, now it is 43.2 per 10 thousand of the population. As of January 22, the numbers are below the epidemic threshold by 29,5%.

Rospotrebnadzor tells why you should not lie at home or go to work with the flu, but go to the doctors.

— The answer is simple: the flu is the only acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI) that entails serious complications that not only disrupt the functioning of our body, but are also life-threatening. And these complications occur very often. Most often, the complications of influenza are delayed, appear after some time, when the person has already forgotten about the infection. Problems begin in the functioning of the cardiovascular, nervous and other systems of the body, they say in the department.

According to the World Health Organization, up to 500 million people fall ill with influenza and SARS every year, and about 2 million people die from complications of the disease.

The source of influenza is a sick person with severe symptoms or with no symptoms. An important role in the transmission of infection is played by patients with an erased form of the infection, carrying the disease “on their feet”. Most often, the virus affects the respiratory system, heart, blood-forming organs.

Complications are dangerous for children under one year old, adults over 60 years old with concomitant diseases of the respiratory system, cardiovascular system and endocrine pathology, in which a fatal outcome is possible due to complications of previously existing diseases.