Influenza (Flu)
Overview
Influenza is a virus that affects your respiratory system, which includes your nose, throat, and lungs. Although influenza is usually referred to as "the flu," it is distinct from stomach "flu" viruses that are associated with vomiting and diarrhea.
Mainly, the flu goes away on its own. However, influenza and its consequences might be fatal in some cases. Thus, it is important to treat the virus and get a prescription online for the flu. The following people are at a higher risk of having flu complications:
- Children under the age of five.
- Adults over 65 years old.
- Long-term care facility residents.
- Women who are pregnant or who have given birth within two weeks.
- Immune-compromised individuals.
- Native Americans.
- People with chronic conditions.
- People who are extremely obese, with a BMI of 40 or above.
The annual influenza vaccine is still your best defense against the flu, even if it isn't 100 percent effective.
Flu Symptoms
A person who has the flu may have the following symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- A fever that lasts for three to four days.
- A stuffy or runny nose.
- Cold sweats and shivers, as well as acute aches and pains.
- A headache.
- Exhaustion.
Keep in mind not everyone who has the flu experiences all of these signs and symptoms. It is possible to have flu without a fever, for instance.
Influenza symptoms usually appear out of nowhere. A person who has the flu may, at first, feel ill. Thereafter, they may experience:
- A High temperature.
- A stuffy or runny nose.
- A dry cough.
- Chills and shivers.
- Aches that may be severe.
- A headache.
- Fatigue, and a feeling of being ill.
- A lack of appetite.
Symptoms of Influenza Type A
A person may have influenza type A if they exhibit the following symptoms:
- Chills and fever.
- Muscle pains, weariness, and weakness.
- Runny or stuffy nose.
- Cough and a sore throat.
Symptoms of Influenza Type B
The symptoms of influenza B are identical to those of influenza A.
Causes
When someone with influenza sneezes, coughs, or talks, the virus spreads through the air in particles. You can immediately inhale the droplets, or you can pick up viruses from an object (such as a phone or computer keyboard) and then transmit them to your nose, coughs, or mouth.
People infected with the virus are likely infectious from the day before symptoms begin to five days after they appear. Children and others with compromised immune systems may be infectious for a longer period.
Influenza viruses are always evolving, with new strains emerging on a regular basis. If you've ever had influenza, your system has already produced antibodies to combat that strain of the virus. Only if future influenza viruses are similar to those you've already experienced, either through infection or vaccination, those antibodies may help prevent or minimize the severity of infection. However, antibody levels may drop over time.
Furthermore, antibodies against influenza viruses you've already encountered may not protect you from new influenza strains, which can be very different from the viruses you've previously encountered.
Risk Factors
The following factors may raise your chances of getting the flu or its complications:
Age. Seasonal influenza usually affects children aged six months to five years old, as well as adults aged 65 and over.
Conditions of living or working. People who live or work in places where there are a lot of other people, such as military barracks or nursing homes, are more likely to get the flu. Those who are in the hospital are also at a higher risk.
Immune system is weakened. The immune system can be weakened by cancer therapies, anti-rejection medicines, long-term use of steroids, organ transplant, blood malignancy, or HIV/AIDS. This can make it simpler to get the flu and raise your chances of getting sick.
Chronic illnesses. Lung problems such as asthma, diabetes, nervous system diseases, heart disease, metabolic abnormalities, an airway abnormality, and kidney, liver, or blood disease can all raise the risk of influenza complications.
Race. Native Americans may be at a higher risk of developing influenza complications.
The use of aspirin before the age of 19 is not recommended.If infected with influenza, people under the age of 19 who are on long-term aspirin medication are at risk of developing Reye's syndrome.
Pregnancy. Influenza problems are more common in pregnant women, especially in the second and third trimesters. Up to two weeks after giving birth, women are more likely to experience influenza-related problems.
Obesity. Flu complications are more likely in people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher.
Complications
The flu is usually not serious if you're young and healthy. Although you may feel horrible while you have the flu, it normally passes in a week or two with no long-term consequences. However, high-risk children and adults may experience issues such as:
- Pneumonia.
- Bronchitis.
- Flare-ups of asthma.
- Problems with the heart.
- Infections of the ears.
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
- Pneumonia.
Pneumonia is one of the most dangerous side effects. It can be fatal in elderly persons and people who have a chronic condition.
Diagnosis
To detect flu viruses in respiratory specimens, a variety of assays are available. "Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs)" are the most common. RIDTs operate by recognizing the components of the virus that trigger an immune response (antigens). These tests can give you findings in as little as 10-15 minutes, but they aren't always as accurate as other flu tests. As a result, even if your quick test result is negative, you could still have the flu. Other flu tests, known as "rapid molecular assays," look for the flu virus's genetic code. Rapid molecular tests are more accurate than RIDTs and deliver results in 15-20 minutes.
There are many more accurate flu tests available that must be done in specialized laboratories, such as those found in clinics or public health laboratories, in addition to RIDTs and quick molecular assays. Reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), viral culture, and immunofluorescence tests are among these assays. All of them require a health care professional to use a swab to clean the inside of your nostril or the back of your throat, then send the swab for testing. It can take anything from one to several hours for the results to appear.
Treatment
The flu can usually be treated at home by the majority of people. Symptoms can be relieved with a mix of lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications.
Pain relievers can help with headaches and other body aches and pains. The greatest options can be recommended by a healthcare practitioner.
Some pain relievers, such as aspirin, are not recommended for children under the age of 16. Aspirin use at this age can cause a disorder called Reye's syndrome.
Various options are available for purchase over the counter or online. It's critical to compare different items and only use them if a medical practitioner recommends them.
Flu Medication
Antibiotics cannot cure the flu because it is caused by a virus. They can only be prescribed if a bacterial infection is present in addition to the flu. Antiviral drugs, on the other hand, may be beneficial when someone has the flu. In this case, you can consult with an online doctor for the flu as well as get a prescription online for it.
Antivirals work by preventing the virus from replicating in the body. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir are two examples (Relenza).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza) in 2018 for the treatment of acute, uncomplicated flu. This medicine can be taken in a single dose by mouth.
The treatment is available to those who are 12 years old or older and have had symptoms for less than 48 hours. Diarrhea and bronchitis are two possible adverse effects.
Flu Home Remedies - How to Manage the Flu
When someone has the flu, it is critical that they:
- Keep warm and rest by staying at home and avoiding interaction with others whenever possible.
- Drink plenty of liquids and eat healthy foods.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Smoking should also be avoided because it increases the chance of problems.
Because you may be contagious, experts recommend staying at home if you have severe symptoms such as a cough with mucus, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or exhaustion. Furthermore, unless you need to leave the building for medical care or other emergency reasons, the CDC recommends staying at home for at least 24 hours after your fever has gone away.
Another reason to take it easy while you're unwell is that rest is a crucial aspect of recovering from any sickness.
How quickly you recover from a cold, or the flu is determined by your overall health. In most cases, healthy people recover from a cold in seven to 10 days. The flu symptoms, including fever, should go completely in about five days, although you may still have a cough and feel tired for another few days. Within one to two weeks, all of your symptoms should disappear.
When you return to work or school, make sure to cough into your elbow and wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading the virus to others.
In patients with weakened immune systems, asthma, or other respiratory disorders, these viruses can cause deadly infections like pneumonia. As a result, if you have a chronic illness, your recovery duration may vary.
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