Influenza (Flu)
Overview
The flu is a viral infection that affects your respiratory system—specifically, your nose, throat, and lungs.
Influenza is commonly known as the flu. In most people, influenza goes away on its own.
However, the flu and its complications can sometimes be fatal.
Your best defense against the flu is to get vaccination annual.
Symptoms
At first, the flu may seem like a common cold, with a runny nose, sneezing, and a sore throat. However, a common cold usually develops gradually, while the flu tends to come on suddenly.
The flu causes more severe symptoms than the common cold. Common signs and symptoms of the flu include:
• A fever above 100.4 °F (38 °C)
• Chills and sweating
• Persistent dry cough
• Stuffy nose
• Muscle pain, especially in the back, arms, and legs
• Headache
• Fatigue and weakness
• Sore throat
Causes
The flu is a viral infection.
• The flu virus spreads through the air in droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. You can inhale these droplets directly, or come into contact with germs on an object, such as a phone or computer keyboard, and then transfer them to your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• People carrying the virus can likely spread the disease from about one day before the first symptoms appear until about five days after symptoms begin. However, in some cases, a person can spread the virus for up to 10 days after symptoms appear. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for a slightly longer period.
• The influenza virus is constantly evolving, with new strains emerging periodically. If you’ve ever had the flu, your body has developed antibodies to fight that particular strain of the virus. If a future influenza virus is similar to one you’ve encountered before—whether through illness or vaccination—those antibodies can prevent infection or reduce its severity. However, antibodies against flu viruses you’ve encountered before cannot protect you from new influenza subtypes that may be immunologically very different from previous viruses.
Risk factors
Factors that can increase your risk of getting the flu or its complications include:
11. Stress
High stress levels can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure.
If you try to calm yourself by eating more, using tobacco, or drinking alcohol, you may actually make your high blood pressure worse.
12. Certain chronic conditions.
Certain chronic conditions can also increase the risk of high blood pressure, such as kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea.
Pregnancy can sometimes contribute to high blood pressure.
Although high blood pressure is most common in adults, children may also be at risk.
In some children, high blood pressure is caused by problems with the kidneys or heart.
However, among an increasing number of children, unhealthy lifestyle habits—such as poor diet, obesity, and lack of exercise—are contributing to high blood pressure.
Age
Seasonal influenza tends to affect young children and the elderly.
Living or working conditions.
People who live or work in facilities shared with many other residents, such as nursing homes or military barracks, are more likely to contract the flu.
A weakened immune system.
Cancer treatments, medications to prevent transplant rejection, corticosteroids, and HIV/AIDS can weaken the immune system. This makes you more susceptible to the flu and can also increase your risk of complications
Chronic Diseases
Chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, or heart problems, can increase the risk of complications from the flu.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women are more likely to experience complications from the flu, especially during the second and third trimesters. Women within two weeks of giving birth are also more likely to experience flu-related complications.
Obesity
People with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu.
complications
If you are young and healthy, seasonal flu is usually not serious. Although you may feel very uncomfortable while you have it, the flu usually clears up in one or two weeks without any lasting effects. However, children and adults at high risk may experience complications such as:
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Asthma relapse
• Heart problems
• Ear infections
Pneumonia is the most serious complication. In older adults and people with chronic illnesses, pneumonia can be fatal.
Prevention
Flu Vaccination It is available worldwide and recommended for everyone over 6 months of age. The annual seasonal flu vaccine provides protection against the three or four influenza viruses expected to be most common during that year’s flu season.
Controlling the spread of infection
The flu vaccine is not 100 percent effective, so it is also important to take the following steps to reduce the spread of infection:
1. Wash your hands.
Maintaining hand hygiene Thorough and frequent handwashing is an effective way to prevent many common infections. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
2. Prevent the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze.
Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. To avoid contaminating your hands, cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
3. Avoid crowds.
The flu spreads easily in places where people gather, such as daycare centers, schools, office buildings, auditoriums, and public transportation. By avoiding crowds during the peak of flu season, you reduce your chances of getting infected. If you’re sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever subsides to reduce the risk of spreading the flu to others.
Diagnosis
• The doctor will perform a physical exam, look for signs and symptoms of the flu, and may order tests to detect the flu virus.
• Sensitive flu tests are available at some hospitals and specialized laboratories. Doctors can diagnose the flu based on your symptoms.
Lifestyle and Home Care
1. Usually, all you need to treat the flu is bed rest and plenty of fluids. However, in some cases, a doctor may prescribe antiviral medications, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza).
2 Lifestyle and Home Care. If you have the flu, the following steps can help relieve your symptoms:
• Drink plenty of fluids. Choose water, juice, and warm soup to prevent dehydration.
• Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight off infections.
• Consider taking pain relievers. Use over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.