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Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu is highly contagious and is
normally spread by the coughs and sneezes of an infected person.
A person can also catch flu by touching an infected person, for instance, by shaking hands.
Adults are contagious 1–2 days before getting symptoms and up to 7 days after becoming ill.
This means that you can spread the influenza virus before you even know you are infected.
In this article, we explain the symptoms of flu, how it is treated, how it differs from a cold,
and the best ways to prevent flu occurring.
Symptoms
1. high temperature
3. headache
There may also be gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These
are more common in children than in adults.
Normally, symptoms linger for about 1 week. However, the feeling of tiredness can continue
for several weeks.
It is worth noting that not every person with flu will have all of the symptoms. For instance, it
is possible to have flu without a fever.
Often, fatigue is one of the earliest signs of flu and cold. With flu, the fatigue tends to be
more extreme.
1. a cough
2. a sore throat
3. a fever
4. body aches
5. chills
6. gastrointestinal changes
Treatment
A virus causes flu, so antibiotics cannot help, unless the flu has led to another illness caused
by bacteria.
Antivirals
A doctor may prescribe antivirals, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), in
some circumstances.
In addition, in 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new
drug—baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza)—for acute uncomplicated influenza, or flu. People will
take the drug by mouth, in a single dose.
Pain relievers can alleviate some of the symptoms, such as a headache and body pains.
Home remedies
1. stay at home
5. avoid alcohol
6. stop smoking
7. eat if possible
It is a good idea for people that live alone to tell a relative, friend, or neighbor that they have
flu and make sure someone can check in on them.
A doctor only needs to know that a person has the flu if:
3. symptoms worsen
Risks
Flu is not usually serious, but it is unpleasant. For some people, however, there can be severe
complications.
2. older people
3. individuals with other longstanding illness that can undermine their immune system
The risk of experiencing severe flu complications is higher for certain people:
1. adults over 65
3. pregnant women
1. bacterial pneumonia
2. dehydration
Prevention
In the United States, over 200,000 people spend time in the hospital with flu complications
each year, and about 36,000 people are estimated to die as a result of flu.
In industrialized countries, the majority of deaths occur among people over the age of 65.
A flu epidemic—where a large number of people in one country are infected—can last
several weeks.
Health experts and government agencies throughout the world say that the single best way to
protect oneself from catching flu is to have a flu vaccination every year.
A healthcare professional will administer the flu shot with a needle, usually in the arm. It has
approval for anyone older than 6 months, including healthy people and those with chronic
medical conditions.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause illness.
3. one B virus
As viruses adapt and change, so do those contained within the vaccines. Their content is
based on international surveillance and scientists' calculations about which virus types and
strains will circulate in a given year.
Seasonal flu vaccinations should start in September or as soon as the vaccine is on hand, and
continue throughout the flu season, into January, and beyond. This is because the timing and
duration of influenza seasons are never the same.
Flu outbreaks usually peak at around January, but they can happen as early as October.
Certain individuals should check with their doctor before deciding to have the flu vaccine,
including:
2. Individuals who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccination in the past.
1. influenza A
2. influenza B
3. influenza C
Types A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics in the U.S. and Europe virtually every
winter.
The type C influenza virus causes mild respiratory illness and is not responsible for
outbreaks.