Have you also caught the flu? Let's find out for sure!

Imagine, you suddenly feel very sick. Your body aches, you have a high fever, a headache, a cough and a runny nose. At times like these, we think, "Oh my, is this a common cold, or even the flu ? Or is it COVID -19 again?" The symptoms of all three diseases are similar, so it's easy to confuse them. But the flu is a condition that requires a little more care than we usually think. So today, let's talk about this influenza , or the flu that we all know.

Flu, Covid and the common cold - how to tell the difference?

Simply put, all three are caused by viral infections . But the type of virus is different. The flu is caused by the influenza virus. The common cold is caused by different types of viruses, the main one being the rhinovirus. Covid-19 is caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2 .

Although the symptoms are similar, there are some slight differences. If you know these differences, you can get a rough idea for yourself.

What should you do when you get the flu?

If a young, healthy person gets the flu, it usually goes away on its own within a few days. However, it is important to take care of your body during this time.

Things you can do at home

1. Get plenty of rest:This is the most important thing. Your body is fighting the virus. So the more rest you get, the more your immune system will have the strength to fight it. Stay home for a few days, not going to work or school.

2. Drink plenty of fluids: When you have a fever, your body loses a lot of fluid through sweat . This increases the risk of dehydration . Therefore, you need to replace the lost fluids.

• Water: Clean water is best.
• Hot soup: Drinking something like chicken soup not only nourishes the body but also soothes a sore throat.
• Porridge and coriander: It is also very good to drink things like porridge and coriander that we are used to in our country.
• Electrolyte drinks: Some people use drinks containing ``electrolytes'', but they are not recommended for regular consumption because they contain a lot of sugar.

3. Eat nutritious foods: Even if you feel hungry, try to eat some nutritious foods that are easily digestible.

Over-the-counter medications

Some medications can be used for things like fever and body aches. But you need to be very careful before using these.

• Painkillers: Medicines like Paracetamol help reduce fever and pain.
• Decongestants: Although there are medications that reduce mucus (`Decongestants`) and antihistamines (`Antihistamines`), these can be harmful to people with other conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure . Therefore , do not use these without consulting your doctor .

When should you see a doctor?

Not everyone needs special medication from a doctor for the flu, but it can be dangerous for some "at-risk groups."

If you belong to one of these groups, see a doctor as soon as you start having flu symptoms:

• Young children under 5 years of age (especially under 2 years of age)
• Adults over 65 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, lung disease, and kidney disease
• People with weakened immune systems (such as those undergoing cancer treatment)

For people in these risk groups, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications. These include Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza). These medications are most effective if started within the first two days of symptoms. These medications will not cure the flu immediately, but they can help shorten the duration of the illness and prevent serious complications such as pneumonia.

Also, if your symptoms do not improve within a few days and worsen (e.g., shortness of breath, chest pain), or if you develop a fever again after getting better, it could be a sign of a secondary infection, such as a bacterial infection. In such cases, you should see a doctor immediately . If the symptoms are severe, go to the nearest hospital emergency room (ETU).

A word about alternative therapies and herbs

Some people use various alternative treatments and herbal remedies for the flu. It's true that things like ginger tea and coriander can help relieve a sore throat and feel better. But there's very little scientific evidence for some herbal remedies.

For example, garlic, ginseng, and echinacea are believed to be good for the flu, but there is no solid research on their effectiveness. Sometimes these can also interact with other medications you are taking. For example, if you are taking blood thinners, taking too much garlic can be dangerous.

The best thing to do is to prevent getting the flu. The best way to do that is to get the flu vaccine every year . Also, good hygiene practices like washing your hands frequently and covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze are very important.