Flu, Causes, Sign & Symptoms and its Management
Introduction of Flu
Flu is a viral infection that can
cause mild to severe illness. It's caused by influenza viruses, which are
transmitted from person to person through coughing and sneezing. The best way to
prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. Flu symptoms come on
suddenly and can include: headache, chills, muscle aches, sore throat (caused
by nasal congestion), cough, fever above 100 degrees Fahrenheit or below 39
degrees Celsius (greater than 38 C), weakness and severe fatigue
The flu (influenza) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.
The flu (influenza) is a contagious
respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe
illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by
getting a flu vaccine each year.
The flu season starts in fall and
runs through winter; however, this year’s “pandemic” has been detected earlier
than usual.
Flu
symptoms come on suddenly and can include:
Flu symptoms come on suddenly and
can include:
- fever
- body aches
- headaches, including a pounding or dull pain in your
head that lasts for more than 24 hours (malaise)
- sore throat. You may also have a cough that is dry or
productive, runny nose and sinus congestion. The cough may be accompanied
by the production of mucus from your airway (rhinorrhea).
High
fever
Fever is a symptom of the flu, and
it can be used to track the progress of your illness. A high grade fever is a sign
that your body is fighting off an infection. It may also help determine whether
or not you need to go to the hospital for treatment.
Headache
Headaches are a common symptom of
the flu, but don't let this be your excuse for not getting to work. If you have
a headache, it's important to get treatment as soon as possible so that you can
return to your normal routine.
A headache is usually caused by
dehydration and sinus pressure, or from congestion in your head. Dehydration
occurs when there's too low water in our bodies; this can happen when we're
sick because we lose more fluids than usual through coughing or vomiting (which
also triggers headaches). Sinus pressure occurs when air gets trapped inside
our sinuses—the cavities inside our cheeks—and causes pain when we inhale
deeply or swallow food without first draining them out through nasal passages
first (like yawning). Congestion comes when mucus builds up inside these
cavities; like with dehydration and sinus pressure, it also causes pain if not
treated properly!
For some people with chronic
migraines who take medication daily throughout the year but still experience
frequent headaches during winter months such as December/January/February etc.,
getting tested regularly will help determine whether there’s something else
going on besides just stress at work which may cause long term damage down road."
Cough
Coughing is a body's way of clearing
the airways. It's also common to see this symptom in people who have other
conditions, such as bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma. If you cough up thick
mucus then it could be a sign that you have an infection in your lungs and need
treatment from your doctor.
Sore
throat
Sore throat is a symptom of flu and
can be a sign of other illnesses. It may also be caused by bacteria, viruses or
fungi.
Sore throat can occur in any season
but it is more common from December to April. It’s usually mild, with no fever
but may feel like itches or burns when you cough up mucus that has accumulated
in your lungs during the night.
Runny
or stuffy nose
Runny or stuffy nose
Runny or stuffy nose can be caused
by a cold and the flu. If your child gets a runny or stuffy nose, it is
important to treat it immediately! You should first use saline nasal sprays to
clear up the congestion in their nose. This will help them breathe better and
feel better overall; however, if that doesn't work then there are some other
options available: decongestants such as Sudafed can also help with this issue
as well as saline nasal sprays which may not cause any side effects but do not
always work either so try both out before deciding which one works best for you
and your child's situation (they should not take more than one dose per day).
Muscle
aches
Muscle aches can be a sign of a
serious illness. If you have muscle pain, it's important to see your doctor as
soon as possible. Muscle aches can also be caused by many different things
including viruses, bacteria and food poisoning.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a symptom of the flu and
it's not just fatigue. The symptoms of fatigue can include:
- Feeling extremely tired all the time, even after
sleeping for several hours
- Being unable to get out of bed in the morning, even
though you slept well the night before
- Having trouble concentrating or paying attention when you are trying to do something else.
Treatment and Management of Flu
Flu is a contagious viral infection. It spreads through coughing and sneezing, so if you have flu symptoms and someone with the flu comes near you, they can pass it to you. When most people think of influenza, they think about childhood illnesses like chicken pox or measles. However, influenza has been reported in various populations across all ages in both developed and developing countries. In addition to causing mild upper respiratory infection symptoms such as coughs, sore throats, runny noses and fatigue; an estimated 250 people die each year from complications caused by influenza infections worldwide
Drink plenty of fluids
· Drink plenty of fluids. Fluids help prevent dehydration and may also reduce the severity of your symptoms.
· Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks (soda, fruit juices, sports drinks). These can cause nausea in some people with flu symptoms.
· Drink warm fluids like hot tea or broth instead of cold ones to relieve nasal congestion and dry mouth caused by fever.
· Avoid drinking too much water to avoid getting sicker than you need to be before taking medicine; your doctor will tell you how much is safe for you to drink each day during treatment with medication for flu symptoms - don't overdo it! You should stick with plain water unless directed otherwise by a healthcare professional who knows what they're doing!
Stay home and rest
· Stay home from work and school.
· Avoid close contact with others.
· Try to sleep as much as possible, even if it's just for an hour or two at a time. If you can't get enough rest, talk to your doctor about taking someone else's bed for the night so that you don't have to stay in bed all day long—this may help keep you hydrated and energized enough to stay attentive during flu symptoms (as well as reduce any feelings of fatigue).
· Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day; it helps maintain proper hydration levels within the body by helping regulate blood pressure levels throughout our system - especially when we're feeling sick! In addition: Avoid alcohol consumption because its effects could slow down recovery time after getting sick; tobacco products are also bad choices while recovering from cold & flu sicknesses due their ability to irritate sinuses area causing headaches/headaches/sinusitis symptoms such as runny nose/nasal congestion etcetera.
Avoid using over-the-counter medications without first talking to your doctor.
You should avoid using over-the-counter medications without first talking to your doctor. Over-the-counter medications can be useful, but they can also be harmful. Your doctor will know the best treatment for you based on your symptoms, including whether or not you're allergic to any of the ingredients in the medication.
Over-the-counter medications may help relieve some symptoms of the flu.
Over-the-counter medications may help relieve some symptoms of the flu. These medications include acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
· Acetaminophen can be taken as a pill or liquid to reduce fever, body aches and headaches. It's available in several forms such as Tylenol with Codeine, Cough + Sleep +Relief +Cold + Flu Relief Liquid Gels and Children’s Extra Strength Tylenol® Liquid Gels for Children 12 and Under.
· Ibuprofen can be taken orally or rectally to reduce fever and pain in adults; it’s also available as an over-the-counter gel caps and tablets that come with instructions on dosing based on your weight and age. Ibuprofen works best when combined with acetaminophen because they have complementary effects on your body's ability to fight off illness. If you have asthma or another respiratory condition such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), discuss whether using both drugs together might be appropriate before taking either one alone without consulting your doctor first.* Naproxen sodium is available both by prescription only through doctors who specialize in treating arthritis conditions like rheumatoid arthritis which requires daily doses throughout its course rather than once every few days like antibiotics might require during treatment periods lasting anywhere from three weeks all the way up until six months depending upon severity levels experienced at different points along wayward paths travelled by each individual case studied thus far.
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to treat the flu.
Antiviral medications are not effective against the flu. They only help to treat specific strains of the virus, and they can cause side effects such as nausea or dizziness.
Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to treat your symptoms if you have severe symptoms that last for more than 2 days (such as fever). But these medications do not work for everyone; if you’re prescribed an antiviral medication, follow all directions carefully and call your doctor right away if any unwanted effects occur after taking it.
Eat healthy foods.
Eating a healthy diet can help you feel better, as it provides your body with the nutrients it needs. Foods such as fruits and vegetables are high in carbohydrates, which are needed to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Foods such as meat, eggs and fish contain protein that helps build muscle tissue and keep you feeling full between meals.
Vitamin C is also important for good health; it helps protect against infection by strengthening the immune system. Zinc is important because it's needed to produce proteins in the body (like hemoglobin). Finally, vitamin D helps your bones grow strong so they don't break easily during falls or accidents—and vitamin D deficiency is linked with flu symptoms like fatigue or joint pain!
It's important to eat foods from all four food groups every day: fruits; vegetables; grains/cereals; dairy products (milk).
To get better faster and prevent spreading it to other people you should follow proper management guide lines
· You should make sure you get plenty of rest.
· Drink plenty of fluids.
· Avoid using over-the-counter medications without first talking to your doctor.
· Eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy products, lean meat and fish (for example: chicken instead of beef).
Conclusion
The flu is a serious illness that can be deadly. You should always take your health seriously and not just treat symptoms. If you or someone you know has gotten sick with the flu, it is best to stay home until they recover fully.
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