Do you have the flu? (Influenza) How long is it contagious?

Nowadays, we hear about coughs, colds , and fevers everywhere. At the office, at school, or on the bus, someone is coughing and sneezing . Sometimes we think this is a common cold, but it can also be the 'flu ' , which makes the body ache, the body is very tired, and the fever is high. So if you get the flu, the biggest question that comes to mind is, "Will I infect my family and friends? How long do I have to stay home and be careful?" Let's be aware of this today.

How long is the flu actually contagious?

Simply put, it can be contagious for about a week. But the surprising thing is that you can infect someone else a day before you start showing symptoms . That means you can start spreading the virus to people around you before you even get sick.

You can spread the disease to others for 5 to 7 days after you start showing symptoms (fever, cough, body aches ). The virus is most contagious during the first 3-4 days , especially because that's when you're most likely to cough and sneeze.

So when can you go back to the office or school? The best measure is the fever. If you have a fever, definitely stay home. Do not take fever-reducing medicines (like Paracetamol ) and definitely stay home until your fever is completely gone for 24 hours . Only then will it be safe to go out with other people.

How does the flu virus spread?

This spreads very easily. Imagine, when someone with the flu coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets from their mouth and nose enter the air. These droplets contain the flu virus.

• Through the air: If you breathe that air, the virus enters your respiratory system.
• By touching surfaces: If that droplet lands on a table, doorknob, phone, or a wire on a bus seat, and you touch it and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, the virus can easily enter your body. This virus can even survive on a hard surface like a doorknob for up to 48 hours (two days)!

What should we do to prevent the spread of the flu?

There are several things you can do to help stop the spread of the flu. It's important to follow these steps whether you get sick or not.

How can we protect ourselves if someone in our family gets the flu?

If someone in your household gets the flu, you can do these things to protect others:

• If possible, keep the sick person in a separate room .
• Keep the items he uses, such as plates, cups, towels, and bed sheets, separate and wash them thoroughly.
• Wear a mask when approaching a sick person.
• Wear disposable gloves when disposing of items such as used tissues.
• Wash clothes and towels in hot water .
• Keep your immune system strong with nutritious food, good sleep, and exercise .

Is the Flu Vaccine Really Important?

Yes, absolutely. The flu vaccine is not just a vaccine. It has many benefits.

The flu virus strains that circulate each year change. That's why it's recommended to get a new flu vaccine every year. Some years, the vaccine is a good match for the virus circulating at that time. Then, the risk of getting the flu is reduced by about 40% - 60%.

But even though the vaccine is not 100% effective, the protection it provides is invaluable.

• Once you get the vaccine, even if you do get the flu, the severity of the illness will be greatly reduced .
• Prevents severe complications such as pneumonia and hospitalizations caused by the flu.
• When a pregnant mother receives the vaccine, the baby born also receives the necessary immunity from the mother for the first few months.
• People with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma can be more severely affected by the flu. Therefore, this vaccine is extremely important for such people.
• Most importantly, by getting vaccinated, you are also protecting those around you who are immunocompromised (young children, the elderly, cancer patients) from contracting the disease. That means you are also fulfilling a social responsibility.

Will taking flu medicine stop the infection?

For the flu, doctors can sometimes prescribe special antiviral medications. For example, Oseltamivir, which is also known as Tamiflu, is a medication that many people know.

But remember, taking this medicine will not stop you from spreading the disease . These medicines can help to reduce the duration of the illness and possibly the contagious period. Therefore, even if you take the medicine, it is essential to follow the previously mentioned safety measures (staying home, washing your hands). Ask your doctor for more information about this.