Let's learn more about this 'flu' (influenza) that everyone gets, shall we?

So, the disease that is being talked about everywhere these days, and maybe you have also gotten better, or maybe you have seen someone in your family get sick and suffer from it, is called 'flu'. Some people also call it 'viral flu'. So today, let's talk about ' flu ' in simple terms. We will look at many things like what it is, why it occurs, how to avoid it, and what to do if you get it.

What exactly is influenza?

Simply put, the flu is an illness caused by a virus called influenza. When you get it, you may experience symptoms like headache, body aches, sore throat, and fever, and sometimes these can be severe. The flu is especially common during the cold season. Sometimes, it affects a lot of people at once, and we call it an epidemic.

What time of year is the flu most common?

In countries in the Northern Hemisphere, such as the United States, the flu season is considered to be from October to May. However, the peak of the disease, meaning that most people get sick, is usually between December and February. In Sri Lanka, this type of viral fever is often seen more often during the cold and rainy seasons.

How common is the flu?

In fact, the flu is a very common infectious disease. Imagine, in a country like America, between 20 and 40 million people get this disease during every flu season. So you can imagine how quickly this spreads.

What is the difference between the flu and the common cold?

This is a question that many people have. Both the flu and the common cold can have similar symptoms, such as a runny nose and cough. However , the symptoms of a cold are usually not as severe, while the symptoms of the flu can be severe and sometimes lead to dangerous complications. Remember, these two illnesses are caused by two different types of viruses.

How do I know for sure if I have the flu or COVID-19?

This is also a very important question, because the symptoms of both are very similar. Therefore, to know for sure whether you have the flu or COVID-19, you definitely need to get tested. There is a risk of developing serious conditions with both of these diseases. But because these two diseases are caused by two different types of viruses, doctors treat them with different types of medications.

Who is at higher risk of complications from the flu?

Some people can get the flu more severely. This means they can develop life-threatening complications and may even need to be hospitalized. If you have any of the following conditions, you are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from the flu:

• To youIf you have a chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
• If you have a previous kidney, liver, nervous system , heart, or blood vessel disease (such as stroke).
• If you have a medical condition that affects muscle function or makes it difficult to cough, swallow, or clear mucus from the lungs.
• If you have diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) .
• If your immune system is weakened (for example, due to HIV/AIDS, cancer, or taking immunosuppressive medications).
• If you have a blood- related disease, for example, sickle cell disease.
• If your body mass index (BMI) is over 30 (which means you are obese).
• If you are a child under 5 years old , or if you are over 65 years old .
• If you are a pregnant mother .
• If you are under 19 years of age and regularly take aspirin.
• If you live in a long-term care facility.

It is very important for people in these risk groups, especially those with flu symptoms, to seek medical advice as soon as they develop symptoms.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. You may have some or all of these:

• Fever
• Chills
• Body aches
• Cough
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Runny nose or nasal congestion
• Feeling tired and lifeless
• Diarrhea or vomiting (this is most often seen in young children)

What causes the flu?

As we mentioned earlier, the flu is caused by a virus called influenza. The types that most commonly infect people are influenza A, B, and C. Of these, two types, influenza A and B, are seasonal (i.e., most often during the cold season), and their symptoms are less severe. Influenza C does not cause as severe symptoms, and it is not seasonal - it is reported in the same number of cases throughout the year.

Both H1N1 (also called "swine flu") and bird flu, which we have heard of, are subtypes of the influenza A virus.

Is the flu contagious?

Yes, the flu is definitely a contagious disease. Usually, a person with the flu can infect one or two other people.

How is the flu transmitted?

The influenza virus is spread through direct or indirect contact with an infected person. Here are some of the main ways the flu can be spread:

• When someone who is sick coughs, sneezes, or talks, droplets can land on your hands or be inhaled directly into your nose or mouth. From there, the virus can travel to your lungs.
• By touching a surface that has the virus on it and then touching your face, nose, mouth, or eyes. For example, doorknobs, desks, computers, and phones.
• By touching the hands or face of someone who has the flu and then touching your face, nose, mouth, or eyes.

How long does it take for the virus to enter the body and show symptoms?

If you are infected with the virus, symptoms usually begin to appear within one to four days (incubation period).

How is the flu diagnosed?

A doctor will ask about your symptoms and test a sample of mucus from your nose to confirm the flu. They will put a soft, cotton-tipped swab (a swab) into your nose to look for the influenza virus. Some tests can give you results in minutes, or sometimes the sample can be sent to a lab and the results can be received in a day or two.

How is the flu treated?

In some cases, doctors may prescribe antiviral medications for the flu. These medications can reduce your risk of getting sick more severely and shorten the length of time you are sick. However, many people can get over the flu without these medications. Doctors prescribe these antiviral medications in the following situations:

• If symptoms have been present for less than 48 hours, the effectiveness of these medications may be reduced if symptoms have been present for more than two days. This is because by then the virus has spread widely in the body and the body has begun to fight it with antibodies.
• If you have another underlying medical condition, or if you are at risk of developing a serious illness, your doctor may prescribe this medication even if it has been more than 48 hours since your symptoms started.
• If the symptoms are very severe , medication may be given even if the illness lasts more than two days.
• It's okay if you live with or care for people who may have severe complications from the flu.

What are the medications for the flu?

Here are some antiviral drugs for influenza:

• Oseltamivir phosphate (brand name Tamiflu®). This is taken by mouth as a pill or liquid. It is usually taken for several days.
• Zanamivir (brand name Relenza®). This is inhaled through the mouth using an inhaler. It also needs to be taken for several days. It is not recommended for people with breathing problems such as asthma or COPD.
• Peramivir (brand name Rapivap®). This is a medicine that is given directly into a vein (IV) by a doctor. It is usually given in a single dose.
• Baloxavir marboxil (brand name Xofluza®). This is also taken by mouth as a tablet or liquid. It is taken as a single dose. It is not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers, hospitalized patients, and people with certain other medical conditions.

If you have any other medical conditions, you should definitely tell your doctor before starting an antiviral medication like this.

Side effects of treatment

Each antiviral medication can have different side effects. However, the most common are nausea and diarrhea. Inhaled medications can sometimes cause bronchospasm.

How to control flu symptoms at home?

Many people can manage flu symptoms at home. Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications and other treatments can help:

• Rest as well as possible.
• Drink plenty of fluids, such as water and soup. This can help prevent dehydration.
• Applying a hot water bag to the body can help with pain.
• You can take pain relievers such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) or NSAIDs (e.g., Advil®, Motrin®, Aleve®) to reduce fever, headache, and body aches.
• For nasal congestion or a runny nose, you can use nasal sprays or oral decongestants, such as phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine .
• To control frequent coughs, you can take antitussives such as dextromethorphan .
• Expectorants, such as guaifenesin , help to loosen mucus in the lungs.

Not all OTC medications work for everyone, so it's a good idea to check with your doctor before using them. Also, make sure to check if certain medications are safe to take together or with other supplements you're taking. Do not give aspirin to children under 16 years of age unless directed by a doctor.

How can you prevent getting the flu?

The best way to reduce the risk of getting the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year.This can be given as an injection or as a nasal spray. It is important to get the vaccine every year because the influenza virus can mutate.

Here are some other ways to reduce your risk of getting the flu:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol- based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. It is better to cough/sneeze into your elbow or a tissue than into your hand.
• Avoid being around other people if you or someone else has a contagious illness, such as the flu. If you are sick and must be around other people, wear a mask.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Do not share food, drinks, or utensils (spoons, forks, cups) with others.

What happens if I get the flu? How long does it take to recover?

Most people can manage their flu symptoms at home and recover within a few days or a week. However, it can be serious, so it's important to monitor your symptoms and seek medical advice if necessary. This is especially important if you have other underlying health conditions.

If you have the flu, you should avoid socializing with other people unless you are seeking medical advice.

How long does the flu last?

The flu can last from a few days to about two weeks. Symptoms like fever and body aches come on suddenly, but they go away more quickly than other symptoms. A cough or runny nose may last for a while.

How long is the flu contagious?

You can spread the flu from a day before you start having symptoms to about a week after you start having symptoms. It is most contagious in the first three to four days after symptoms start. People with weakened immune systems and young children can spread the disease even earlier.

When can I go back to work/school?

To prevent spreading the flu to others, you should wait at least 24 hours after you have been fever-free (without taking fever-reducing medication) before returning to work or school. Your workplace or school may have different rules.

Complications of the flu

The influenza virus itself can cause complications, or it can weaken your immune system and allow bacteria to infect different parts of your body (secondary infection). Such complications and secondary infections include:

• Ear infections
• Sinus infections
• Pneumonia, a severe lung infection. Pneumonia can lead to life-threatening conditions such as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
• Pregnancy loss/miscarriage.
• Neural tube defects (NTDs) occur in the baby growing in the womb of a pregnant mother.

During a typical flu pandemic in a country like the United States, it is estimated that between 20,000 and 50,000 people die from the flu each year. Another 300,000 to 500,000 people become seriously ill and have to be hospitalized.

When should you see a doctor?

If you think you have the flu, it's important to get tested early. Then, if your doctor prescribes antiviral medications, they will be more effective. See a doctor right away if:

• If you have flu symptoms and have another underlying medical condition that puts you at higher risk of becoming seriously ill .
• If symptoms do not improve after seven to ten days, or if fever persists for more than three days.
• If you are a pregnant mother and have a fever or other flu symptoms .

When should you go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?

If you have symptoms of a serious illness, you should go to an emergency room or seek medical advice immediately. Such symptoms include:

• High fever (over 103 Fahrenheit/40 Celsius).
• Difficulty breathing.
• No or very little urine output.
• Chest or stomach (abdominal) pain that doesn't go away.
• Persistent dizziness.
• Confusion.
• Severe muscle pain or weakness.
• Seizures.
• Blue color of the skin, lips, or fingernails ( cyanosis - this means that there is low oxygen levels in your blood or tissues).
• The fever or cough gets better, then gets worse again.
• Worsening of other chronic medical conditions.

What questions should you ask your doctor?

• How exactly do I take this medicine?
• What types of over-the-counter (OTC) medications can I buy at the pharmacy?
• How can I manage my symptoms at home?
• What severe symptoms should I be concerned about?
• When should I go to the emergency room?
• When should I see you again?
• How long will it take for me to recover?

Is stomach flu the same as influenza?

No. Gastroenteritis, commonly known as the stomach flu, is not caused by the influenza virus. It is a separate illness that has nothing to do with the seasonal flu.

Finally, things you need to remember

Although the flu is a very common illness, it is important to remember that it can cause life-threatening complications. Getting a flu shot is the best way to prevent yourself from getting sick and protect your loved ones and neighbors.If you have other underlying medical conditions or are pregnant, talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk of getting the flu. Getting the flu is no fun, but for many people, it's a condition that can be treated with a good movie and a bowl of chicken soup. However, it's important to seek medical advice when necessary.