Health
Facts on Flu
Symptoms of Flu
Why Do People Usually Get the Flu during Cold
Season?
Takeaway
Seasonal Influenza: What Medication to Prepare During the Cold Season
Influenza,
or shortly known as flu, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus which
circulates in a place and is highly contagious which is spread by the coughs
and sneezes of an infected person. However, you can also catch flu by touching
an infected person like shaking hand thus the need of caution.
In adults, the
contagious stage of influenza is 1-2 days before getting the symptoms which go
up to 7 days after becoming ill. Meaning, you can spread the influenza virus
before you even know that you are already infected by the illness. This article
will be your guiding light towards knowing this illness by acquiring the
information you needed.
Facts on Flu
• Using antibiotics as a way to treat flu is
a common misunderstanding about flu medication
• There is approximate 5-20 percentage of
Americans that will develop flu.
• Medical practitioners recommend and agree
that the best way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated every year.
• In getting vaccinated, make sure that you
don’t belong in the group of people that has a severe allergy to chicken eggs
since the vaccine is not suitable to those people who have this condition.
Symptoms of Flu
Before we head out to
the prevention and medication, you should know first the symptoms and its
causes for you to apprehend well what is this seasonal influenza about. Most
people commonly confuse flu with a bad cold since their symptoms both include a
blocked/ a runny nose, cough, and sore throat. However, this is not the case
since the flu can be life-threatening apart from it being uncomfortable.
The early symptoms of flu are often extreme
fatigue which includes a sore throat, cough, fever, body ache, chills, and
gastrointestinal changes such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea wherein it is
much more common among children. Under normal circumstances, the symptoms
linger for a week and it is worth noting that you can have flu without running
a fever.
Why Do People Usually Get the Flu during Cold
Season?
There are many things
that may play a role as to why people usually get the influenza virus during
the cold season. Since it is the cold season, the air is less humid outside so
the virus lives longer indoors, and while it is alive and, in the air, it is
easier for people to inhale it or land on your mouth, nose or eyes.
Additionally, the most
important factor which makes an individual more vulnerable to influenza virus
is the time we spend indoors. We tend to spend more time indoors especially
during cold season or winter, right? Since people have closer contact with each
other indoors it is easier for the virus to spread rampantly.
Treatment for Influenza
As what was stated
beforehand, antibiotics do not help in treating the flu, not unless the flu has
led to another illness that is caused by a bacterium. What you need to have is
the antivirals such as zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
that may be prescribed by your doctor in some circumstances.
On the other hand,
painkillers may alleviate symptoms like headaches and body pains. This would
also ease up your effort in obtaining medication since there are
over-the-counter drugs which you could purchase.
Although what you need
to remember is to take OTC drugs with precaution and is according to on your
symptoms. For example, if you have nasal congestion then a decongestant would
be helpful. Visit pharmaquotes.com for more information on these
drugs and to get a discount coupon to ease the financial burden.
Additionally, if you
have flu then you should stay at home, keep warm and rest while avoiding
contact with other people. Also, you should avoid alcohol and smoking when
rehabilitating for your medications to have an effect, instead, drink plenty of
hydrating liquids to help your body.
Takeaway
Influenza virus should
not be taken lightly since it can be life-threatening to the patient. If you
have a friend or family that shows this sign then it is best to take precaution
and help them through offering them to be accompanied to the doctor especially
if they are frail or elderly and if their temperature remains high after 4-5
days.
Additionally, if you
are feeling seriously ill or is having short of breaths and is developing chest
pains then go to your doctor immediately and seek help. Ask your doctor for OTC
drugs for you to possibly have for future emergencies since prevention is
better than cure, right?
