This is also commonly known as the flu. It is a viral infection that is very contagious and most of the outbreaks are usually experienced during winters.
There are three types of viruses that are responsible for influenza i.e. A, B; C. However, most of the flu is normally caused by type A. The A and B types are less common and their symptoms are a bit milder. One gets the virus by sitting next to a person who is infected and when that person coughs or sneezes. The other way of getting the virus is by coming into contact with body secretions of an infected person. The virus mainly attacks the upper part of the respiratory system.
After about 24-36 hours of infection, the symptoms will begin to show, the most common ones will be headaches, fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue. Sometimes the aches will be so severe that the person will be forced to stay in bed. The fever will then go down and symptoms like sore throat, running nose and mild coughing will begin to show. Sinus and ear infections will also be experienced especially by the elderly people. Most people who get influenza do not usually go to see the doctor, but when someone starts to get high fever, nausea, vomiting, chest pains or delirium, it is important to see a doctor.
In most instances, the flu is correctly diagnosed by a family member and there is usually no need to go see a doctor. But in those cases where the symptoms are much more distinct, it is better for that patient to go get a blood or culture test to avoid the risk of having serious complications that only a doctor is able to see.
Flu usually disappears by itself but the symptoms can be eased by use of pain relievers like aspirin and naproxen. Children who are below the age of 18 should not take aspirin for they can get Reyes syndrome. Taking plenty of fluids, a good nutrition and plenty of fluids will ensure that the patient returns to normal.
There are those patients that take antibiotics but these are not effective because antibiotics do not treat viral infections. They however do treat some of the secondary infections such as sinus and ear infection. Antiviral medications are the best because thy specifically treat the flue symptoms and are available by a doctors prescription. The drugs reduce the duration of the flue and must be taken as soon as the symptoms begin to show. If for some reasons the flu medicine does not take effect and the patient wants an alternative, then they must always consult a doctor first.
There are some self-care tips that will help someone to be prepared for flu. One can get a a flu vaccine at the beginning of the year or before the winter begins. The vaccine enables the body to create antibodies that fight the flue virus. Children should be the most important to be given the vaccine because they are more susceptible to the influenza virus.
