A sore throat, a cough or a blocked or runny nose and a fever, a headache and body aches when having a fever or headache or stiff neck. Experiencing these symptoms may be worse if you are sick or pregnant and may cause serious health problems. It’s very crucial to avoid getting infected and the only method that can be used to mitigate this is through use of flu shots every year.
What’s the flu (influenza)?
Flu is an infection diseases that is spread by the flu virus. This results in symptoms such as flu like body pain, headache, sore throat, occasional breathing difficulties etc. The symptoms can generally be described as mild to severe. Influenza activity also increases in the colder months perhaps because people are indoors and close contact is more likely.
When does the Influenza season occur?
Flu season typically runs from October to May in the Northern Hemisphere, including in the United States. The peak flu weeks are usually in December and January. Flu is one of the most diagnosed and dangerous seasonal illnesses, with millions of cases every year in the U.S.
What Viruses Cause the Flu and Common Cold?
Both the flu and common cold share symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, and coughing. Different viruses cause these illnesses, but both can result in fever. The flu is usually more severe than a cold.
Who Is at Higher Risk?
Some people are more likely to develop severe complications from the flu. Those at higher risk include:
Certain ethnic groups, including Black, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Hispanic, and Latino people, who are more likely to experience severe illness compared to White or Asian individuals.
Children under five and adults over 65
Pregnant women
Individuals with long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease
Those with weakened immune systems due to HIV/AIDS, cancer, or certain medications
Obese individuals
Residents of nursing homes
How Do You Catch the Flu?
The flu virus spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or even sings. These droplets can land on your hands, or you can inhale them. Touching surfaces like door handles, tables, or phones contaminated with the virus, and then touching your face, nose, or mouth, can also spread the virus.
What is the reason we get sick ?
This is due to influenza virus. There are different kinds: 1) A and B are in winter and severe symptom is more common than less severe one. C is not that costly also and does not get influenced by seasons. In other words, it can always be obtained. H1N1 or “swine flu” together with bird flu are some of the acknowledged influenza A type viruses.
What produces the Influenza?
Coughing or sneezing or merely talking – whether the speaking or singing be near me, or distant. Colds can either physically drop on hands to the mouth or nostrils, or can pass through the air to land on the mouth or nose. Flu then goes In the lungs.
This kind of transmission is likely to happen to you if you touch the exterior part of a cold virus that has been boosted on an object, then touch your face, nose, mouth or eyes. These are the holders of doors, tables and computers and indeed the phones.
If for instance the infected person puts his/her hand around your hand several times, or rub his/her nose several times with a hand and you touch your face, eyes, lips, or nose then you will be infected.
The doctor will enquire as to how one feels and will then take some secretion, rolling a fleshy stick called a swab round each nostril. Heart could start pounding less and so examination of symptoms at least would not even take 5 minutes; procrastination is however not good even if time can be forgiven. This may be done in these two ways either through mail or they may try to increase your turn around time and short results can be obtained within 1 or 2 days.
When Does Flu Season Happen?
Flu season typically runs from October to May in the Northern Hemisphere, including in the United States. The peak flu weeks are usually in December and January. Flu is one of the most diagnosed and dangerous seasonal illnesses, with millions of cases every year in the U.S.
What Viruses Cause the Flu and Common Cold?
Both the flu and common cold share symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, and coughing. Different viruses cause these illnesses, but both can result in fever. The flu is usually more severe than a cold.
Who Is at Higher Risk?
Some people are more likely to develop severe complications from the flu. Those at higher risk include:
- Children under five and adults over 65
- Pregnant women
- Those with weakened immune systems due to HIV/AIDS, cancer, or certain medications
- Obese individuals
- Residents of nursing homes
- Certain ethnic groups, including Black, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Hispanic, and Latino people, who are more likely to experience severe illness compared to White or Asian individuals.
Flu Symptoms
Common flu symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Body aches
- Cough
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Fatigue
- In children, stomach issues like vomiting and loss of appetite can also occur.
How Do You Catch the Flu?
The flu virus spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or even sings. These droplets can land on your hands, or you can inhale them. Touching surfaces like door handles, tables, or phones contaminated with the virus, and then touching your face, nose, or mouth, can also spread the virus.
Diagnosis and Treatment
To diagnose the flu, a doctor will ask about your symptoms and may take a swab sample from your nose. Results can be available within a few minutes to a day or two. If caught early, antiviral medications can help reduce the severity of the illness or shorten its duration. Some common antiviral drugs include:
Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza): Taken as a single dose pill.
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu): Taken as a pill or liquid over 1-5 days.
Zanamivir (Relenza): Inhaled using an inhaler.
Peramivir (Rapivab): Given through an IV, often as a single treatment.
Vaccines
Flu vaccines are updated annually to match the circulating viruses. These include both injectable vaccines and nasal sprays, providing essential protection against the flu.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to stay safe from the flu, especially during peak season.