These days, we hear the phrase "viral flu" everywhere. When we feel a little sick, cough, and runny nose, we all think it's just a common cold. But sometimes it's a little more severe, a 'flu' that can make us so weak that we can't even get out of bed, or what we call `(
Influenza )' in medical terms. So, today, let's talk about what this flu is and how it differs from the common cold.
What are the main symptoms of the flu?
The flu is caused by a virus that infects our respiratory tract. Compared to the common cold, the symptoms of the flu are often severe. Imagine, you suddenly
feel so ill that you can't even get out of bed. You also get
a high fever . In an adult, it can be around 100-103 degrees Fahrenheit, and in a young child, it can be even higher. Along with this, you also experience the following:
The most important thing is this extreme fatigue. While we feel a little tired with a common cold, when we get the flu , we feel so weak that we can't even get out of bed for days. This is the main difference.
Some people, especially young children, may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea along with these symptoms. But what we often call the "stomach
flu " is not really the flu. It is a stomach infection caused by a different virus. Most people recover completely within a week or two. But for some people, it can be severe and even life-threatening, causing complications such as
pneumonia .
Who is most at risk?
Although everyone can develop complications, some people are especially at risk.
If you belong to this category and have severe flu symptoms, it is very important
to see your doctor immediately for advice.
Let's learn about these types of viruses that cause fever.
Flu viruses are mainly divided into three types. They are A, B, and C. Of these, the two that affect us the most are types A and B. To understand it simply, I will explain it in a table like this.
| Virus type | Description |
|---|
| Influenza A and B | These two types are responsible for the flu epidemics that occur every year during the winter season. They contribute to an increase in hospitalizations and even deaths. In our country, they spread more during the rainy season. |
| Influenza C | This type causes very mild illness, or sometimes no symptoms at all. It does not cause epidemics. Therefore, most of the attention of the health sector is focused on controlling types A and B. |
Why do we get the flu almost every year?
You might be thinking, "If you get the flu once, you won't get it again, so you won't get immunity?" The problem is that this flu virus is very cunning.
It changes its appearance all the time. Think of this virus as a thief who is good at disguise. After our immune system recognizes this thief, the thief changes his clothes and appearance a little. The next time he comes, our body can't immediately recognize him. We get sick again. This is what we call
`antigenic drift` in medicine. But the antibodies that were produced earlier can provide some protection.
Pandemics that changed history
Every now and then, this virus doesn't just change a little, it takes on
a completely new form . It's like the thief changing not just his clothes, but his entire appearance and form. Then, none of our immune systems can recognize him. This is what causes the great epidemics, or
`pandemics`, that spread throughout the world.Situations arise. This is called
`antigenic shift` . There were three major pandemics that shook the world in the last century.
| Year | Name of the epidemic | Impact |
|---|
| 1918-1919 | "Spanish Flu" | The worst influenza pandemic in history. Between 50-100 million people died worldwide. |
| 1957-1958 | "Asian Flu" | 116,000 died in America alone. It had a huge impact around the world. |
| 1968-1969 | "Hong Kong Flu" | Between 34,000 and 100,000 deaths were reported in the United States. |
Looking at this history, we understand that the flu virus is never something to be taken lightly. Therefore, it is wise to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical advice if necessary.
Take-Home Message
- Influenza is a much more severe illness than the common cold.
- Symptoms include high fever, body aches, and unbearable fatigue .
- The virus that causes this is constantly changing, so we can get it again and again throughout our lives.
- Young children, pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses are especially at risk .
- If symptoms are severe or you are in a risk group, be sure to see your doctor .
Flu, influenza, viral fever, symptoms, cough, cold
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