What is the Flu?
- erudite .
- Dec 4, 2021
- 4 min read
By Ella Kang
Every winter, people get vaccinated to protect themselves from seasonal flu. However, millions of people each year still suffer from flu symptoms ranging from mild to severe. So the question still stands: is the flu preventable? This blog will explore the flu, its types, symptoms, and treatments.
Flu, also known as influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by viruses, which gives rise to mild or even fatal illnesses. It is crucial to take precautions to prevent huge outbreaks. Flu is contagious and can spread at any time of the year, but it is typically common during fall and winter, hence the name “flu season”.
There are four types of flu viruses:
Influenza A and Influenza B: Cause annual epidemic seasonal infections. Influenza B is found in humans while Influenza A is found in many other species.
Influenza C: Mainly found in humans, but can also be seen in dogs and pigs.
Influenza D: Mainly found in cattle, and it is not known to infect or cause illness in humans.
This type of virus easily spreads from person to person through actions such as coughing, sneezing, or talking. The bodily fluids that escape our body during these actions can land on other people, and then they become infected. Moreover, the flu can also be transmitted when someone touches a surface or object that has been infected.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu symptoms can occur suddenly, and this would include a high temperature that lasts 3 to 4 days, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. The symptoms vary for each person, and it is even possible to have the flu without having a fever. In some cases, flu can also develop complications that require extensive care, such as dehydration, bronchitis, ear infection, sinus infection, pneumonia, inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscle tissue. Sometimes, flu can worsen pre-existing chronic health problems; for instance, those with asthma can experience asthma attacks when they catch the flu. People over the age of 65, pregnant women, people with pre-existing health conditions, and newborn babies have a higher chance of having dangerous complications because of the flu. When flu symptoms start appearing after two days of infection, most will disappear after around one week, with mild coughs that can last for up to two weeks. The virus can be contagious for up to one week after the symptoms are gone, and complete treatment can take longer if complications are severe and have lasting effects on a person’s health. Moreover, patients can experience fatigue and feel unwell for a while after the symptoms. At times, some have a hard time determining whether they have a cold or the flu; however, it is extremely important to differentiate and diagnose correctly.
If the symptoms start to develop, a doctor will conduct a physical examination or use a throat swab for diagnosis. There are many types of flu tests, and they will usually pertain to swiping the inside of the patient’s nose and the back of the throat with a swab. The rapid influenza diagnostic test allows for results to be seen after ten to fifteen minutes. This, however, does not mean it is completely accurate. Tests considered to be more reliable can take a longer time to display results. The treatments for the flu are relatively simple; most of the time, people can recover at home without medical care. Those with mild cases should stay indoors and avoid contact with others, including a combination of lifestyle remedies and other medication that can relieve symptoms. Other changes that can alleviate symptoms are staying warm, resting, consuming plenty of liquids and healthy food, avoiding both alcohol and smoking. Other pain relief medications such as aspirins can help reduce headaches and body pains. It should be noted that antibiotics are not a cure for the flu. If the symptoms or complications are severe, healthcare providers will be involved and provide antiviral medicines to prevent serious flu complications.
There are several ways that the flu can be prevented, and the spread of germs can be slowed. While the most effective way is to get the flu vaccine every year, it is still pivotal to maintain healthy habits, cover the cough, and wash hands. There are two major types of vaccination methods:
Flu shot: A shot with a needle is injected into the arm. It is suitable for anyone older than six months.
Nasal-spray flu vaccine: A vaccine containing live, weakened flu viruses that do not necessarily cause illness.
While the flu shot is not entirely preventative, the CDC has concluded that the flu vaccine is both effective and safe. The type that circulates fluctuates during the seasons. After being vaccinated, a person may experience some adverse effects such as pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, headache, fever, nausea, and muscle aches. These symptoms are usually mild and will go away within a few days. However, if the effects are severe, people should seek immediate medical help to avoid any consequences.
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