Flu -Influenza

🔮 Flu - Influenza

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

Most people who get the flu recover completely in 1 to 2 weeks, but some people develop serious and potentially life-threatening medical complications, such as pneumonia.

Flu viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object such as a telephone or computer keyboard and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.

⚜ Types :

There are three types of flu viruses namely A, B, and C. Type A and B cause the annual influenza epidemics that have up to 20% of the population sniffling, aching, coughing, and running high fevers.

Type C also causes flu however, type C flu symptoms are much less severe.

In simple terms this illness is different from a cold. While more than 100 different viruses can cause a cold, only Influenza Virus Types A, B, and C cause the flu. As we said earlier Type A and B viruses cause the large seasonal outbreaks. Type C usually causes milder respiratory symptoms.

⚜ Symptoms :

💡 Fever or feeling feverish/chills
💡 Cough
💡 Sore throat
💡 Runny or stuffy nose
💡 Muscle or body aches
💡 Headaches
💡 Fatigue (tiredness)
💡 Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults

The incubation period of influenza is usually two days but can range from one to four days. Typical influenza disease is characterized by abrupt onset of fever, aching muscles, sore throat, and non- productive cough.

⚜ Prevention :

🔸 Avoid close contact
🔸 Stay home when you are sick
🔸 Cover your mouth and nose
🔸 Clean your hands
🔸 Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
🔸 Practice other good health habits

⚜ Home remedies :

Cold and flu symptoms cause discomfort but they are part of the body's natural healing process.

💧 Nose blowing - the right way
💧 Salt water (saline) nose rinsing
💧 Rest and stay warm
💧 Gargling
💧 Warm drinks
💧 Have a steamy shower
💧 Hot or cold therapy for blocked sinuses
💧 Grab an extra pillow in bed - Keeping the head a bit higher can help relieve congested passages in the nose
💧 Eat well
💧 Fluids and hydration
💧 Steaming, vaporisers and humidifiers

⚜ Complications :

The flu can sometimes weaken the lungs, making it easier for a bacterial infection to take hold. The bacteria can cause: Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, which is one of the most serious complications of the flu. Untreated, it can be life threatening.