What is Influenza (flu)? Influenza (Seasonal Flu) - What Happens

Influenza (Seasonal Flu) - What Happens

Influenza (Seasonal Flu) - Topic Overview

What is influenza (flu)?

Influenza (flu) can be a viral infection. Folks usually use the term "flu" to describe any kind of mild illness, for example a cold or a stomach virus, that has symptoms like the flu.

But the real flu is various. Flu symptoms are typically worse than a cold and last longer. The flu typically does not trigger vomiting or diarrhea in adults.

Most flu outbreaks occur in late fall and winter.

What causes the flu?

The flu is caused by influenza viruses A and B. You can find various strains of the flu virus every single year.

What are the symptoms?

The flu causes a fever, body aches, a headache, a dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. You will possibly feel tired and much less hungry than usual.

The symptoms normally are the worst for the first three or four days. But it can take 1 to 2 weeks to get fully better. It normally takes 1 to 4 days to get symptoms of the flu following you've been around a person who has the virus. Most people get far better without problems. But often the flu can result in a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection, a sinus infection, or bronchitis. In rare circumstances, the flu might trigger a far more serious problem, such as pneumonia. Particular folks are at greater risk of issues from the flu. They include young young children, pregnant ladies, older adults, and men and women with long-term illnesses or with impaired immune systems that make it difficult to fight infection. How is the flu diagnosed? Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine you.

This generally gives the doctor sufficient details to learn when you have the flu, particularly if a lot of cases of a similar illness have occurred within the location along with the local health department reports a flu outbreak. In some cases, the doctor may possibly do a blood test or take a sample of fluid from your nose or throat to find out what kind of flu virus you've got. How is it treated? Many people can treat flu symptoms at home. House treatment consists of resting, drinking a lot of fluids, and taking medicine to lower your fever. Influenza (flu) usually comes on suddenly. In numerous cases people can pinpoint the hour when symptoms started. Symptoms develop 1 to 4 days after you might be infected, and they incorporate: * Fever, which lasts for about three days. Fever is typically slightly lower on the 2nd and 3rd days but may last up to 8 days. * Cough, runny nose, and sore throat, which grow to be more noticeable as fever as well as other symptoms decrease. These symptoms typically last three to four days soon after the fever goes down. A dry, hacking cough might linger for up to 10 days right after other symptoms are gone.

Total recovery may possibly take 1 to 2 weeks or longer.

Fatigue and weakness can last for several weeks. Complications of influenza may develop in anyone, but they are much far more likely in older adults and individuals who have other well being troubles, specifically heart and lung diseases.

In case you believe you have the flu, your doctor could be able to provide you with medicine which will make the symptoms milder. But you should commence taking it inside 2 days of your very first symptoms.

Can the flu be prevented?

You'll be able to support prevent the flu by getting the flu vaccine each year. The best time to obtain the vaccine is in the fall, just prior to the start of flu season. You can get the vaccine as a shot or in a spray that you breathe in via your nose. The Centers for Illness Control and Prevention recommends that every person 6 months old and older really should get a flu vaccine. The vaccine is particularly critical for individuals who are at higher risk of issues from the flu, including:1 * Youngsters 6 months via four years of age. * Adults ages 50 and older. * Adults and youngsters who have long-term wellness problemInfluenza (flu) generally comes on suddenly. In many cases men and women can pinpoint the hour when symptoms started.

Symptoms develop 1 to four days soon after you might be infected, and they contain: * Fever, which lasts for about 3 days.

Fever is normally slightly lower on the 2nd and 3rd days but may last up to 8 days.

* Cough, runny nose, and sore throat, which grow to be far more noticeable as fever as well as other symptoms decrease. These symptoms usually last 3 to 4 days right after the fever goes down. A dry, hacking cough may linger for up to 10 days after other symptoms are gone. Complete recovery could take 1 to 2 weeks or longer.

Fatigue and weakness can last for a number of weeks. Complications of influenza may develop in any person, but they're a lot much more likely in older adults and individuals who have other well being issues, specifically heart and lung diseases. s or an impaired immune program.

* Females who will likely be pregnant during the flu season. The flu vaccine is also suggested for health care workers and anybody who lives or works having a individual who is at greater risk of issues from the flu.

Your physician can help you decide if the flu vaccine is really a good choice for you. The vaccine usually prevents most cases of the flu. But even in the event you do get the flu right after you've had the vaccine, your symptoms will probably be milder and you will have much less chance of difficulties from the flu.

You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine.