Everything You Need To Know About The Flu

Winters may be slowly bidding us farewell, but it’s the time of the changing seasons when most cases of flu and colds happen.

The flu is a respiratory infection that is caused by the influenza virus. While most types cases of flu are self-limiting and nothing to worry about, a handful of cases can actually become fatal.

How Do I Know If I Have The Flu?

Symptoms of the flu are pretty clear-cut and easy to pick. You can get the diagnosis confirmed by your physician as well to start the appropriate treatment.

Here’s what you’ll experience if you have the flu:

· Runny nose
· Sore throat and cough
· Fever
· Fatigue

Flu generally has more severe symptoms than the common cold. Different influenza strains cause different varieties of flu infection that can have their unique repercussions. The good news is that most types of these strains are easy to treat and are actually pretty benign.

How Is The Flu Treated?

Because this is a viral infection, antibiotics won’t work. Most cases of flu are treated at home with over-the-counter medications to control the fever, cough and pain from a sore throat. In more complicated cases, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication.

It’s a good idea to limit your activity and rest well when you have this infection. You should also limit your contact with healthy individuals to avoid the spread of flu.

Can You Prevent The Flu?

Cases of flu are highly contagious and can spread rapidly from person to person. The virus is spread through the air in droplet form, so sharing space with someone who has this infection puts you at immediate risk of getting it yourself.

The annual flu shot is a pretty effective option to prevent influenza infection. However, because this vaccination does not target all possible influenza virus strains, it isn’t 100% effective.

Other measures that you can take to prevent the flu include taking care of your hygiene (covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, handwashing, etc.), avoiding smoking, and eating a healthy diet.

You should also try to avoid contact with people who currently have the infection because, believe it or not; the virus can spread even at a 6 feet distance!