Symptoms, Remedies, Infection Potential, and Personal Diagnosis: Flu
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral respiratory illness that spreads through respiratory droplets. This seasonal illness can cause a range of symptoms from mild to severe, and it is crucial to understand how to identify, prevent, and treat the flu.
The flu is most contagious in the first 3-4 days after symptoms appear. A healthy individual can pass the virus on to another person a day before they, themselves, have symptoms and can continue to transmit the virus for up to 5-7 days after symptoms appear. People with a weakened immune system, older people, and young children may be able to pass on the virus for longer than this.
When a person has flu, they should stay at home, avoid contact with other people, keep warm, rest, consume plenty of liquids and healthful foods, avoid alcohol, stop smoking, and try herbal teas, vitamin supplements, or chicken broth. It is essential to note that the flu shot cannot offer 100% protection from the flu, but it can still reduce the risk of flu and the severity of complications.
For those aged 12 years or more and have had symptoms for fewer than 48 hours, antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) can help stop the virus from multiplying in a person's body. A new drug called baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza) was approved in 2018 for acute, uncomplicated flu. It can be taken in a single dose by mouth.
The cost of a flu shot in the private sector is around $40, depending on the type. People should check their insurance policies to find out their cover for the flu shot. Medicare Part B, for example, provides for one flu shot every flu season. The flu shot is safe to have during pregnancy and is recommended by doctors. It takes about 2 weeks to provide protection.
Symptoms of flu include high temperature, stuffy or runny nose, cold sweats and shivers, aches, headache, fatigue, and low appetite. Some people may experience chills during influenza without a fever for several reasons, such as variability in infection severity and response, individual immune response, early stages of infection, and age and health status.
Older people or those with certain health conditions might experience different symptoms during influenza, such as feeling chills without a fever. In the early stages of influenza, chills might occur before the onset of fever. This is because chills are a response to the body's initial reaction to the virus, which can precede the development of a fever as the body takes time to fully respond to the infection.
People who are 65 years of age or older are more likely to develop complications if they have flu and may need a higher dose of vaccine. Some strains of influenza A, such as the H5N1 "bird flu" virus, can infect humans and cause serious illness. Flu can be fatal for newborns.
Pregnant women are at a higher risk of complications from flu, including preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and a greater chance of having complications such as bronchitis, ear and blood infections. Influenza, also known as flu, is a viral respiratory illness that spreads through respiratory droplets.
To reduce the risk of flu, people should practice good hygiene, quit or avoid smoking, stay away from people who have the flu, and stay away from others when they have the flu to avoid spreading it. The flu shot is not effective for infants under 6 months old. A baby with flu may have symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea, and may need emergency medical attention if they have breathing difficulties, rapid breathing, bluish face or lips, chest pain or ribs pulling inward, fever with a rash, symptoms that go away but come back again, signs of dehydration, or severe and persistent vomiting.
In summary, the flu is a viral respiratory illness that can cause a range of symptoms from mild to severe. It is crucial to stay informed about the flu, understand how to identify and prevent it, and know when to seek medical attention. The flu shot can help prevent flu, but it is not 100% effective. People should also follow lifestyle measures to reduce their risk, such as practicing good hygiene, quitting or avoiding smoking, staying away from people who have the flu, and staying away from others when they have the flu to avoid spreading it.
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