Influenza (flu) : Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis

The flu is usually described as an illness which you got from the influenza virus. Generally influenza virus causes symptoms which include respiratory systems, head and body aches, sore throat, fever,nose and lungs. The most common period of flu season is usually the winter months.

Influenza virus is generally called flu but this flu is not the same as stomach “flu” viruses which cause diarrhea and severe vomiting.

Mostly people with the flu virus infection will get better on their own. But in rare cases, influenza and its complications can be fatal. People who are at high risk of developing flu complications which include:

• young children who are under the age 2

• Older adults whose age 65

• Residents like nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

• Mostly pregnant people or who are planning to be pregnant during flu season

• weakened immune systems people

• People with American Indians or Alaska Natives

• People with chronic illnesses, include asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease and diabetes

• Usually people with a BMI of 40 or higher or obese

But the influenza virus vaccine is not 100% effective, but it helps to reduce the chances of getting severe complications from the infection.

Symptoms

At the first stage, the flu will seem like a common cold with symptoms of a running nose, sneezing and sore throat. Usually cold develops slowly. But the flu comes on suddenly while the cold comes slowly. But cold can be miserable, you usually feel worse with the flu symptoms.

Common symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever

• Aching muscles

• Chills and sweats

• Headache

• Dry, persistent cough

• Shortness of breath

• Tiredness and weakness

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Sore throat

• Eye pain

• Severe vomiting and diarrhea, but usually this is more common among children than adults

Causes

The cause of Influenza virus is when people inhale the air while people with infection coughs,sneezes or talks, it spreads the virus through the air in droplets. You can get the influenza virus by direct contact with air droplets of infected people or indirectly through the objects of infected people such as a telephone or computer keyboard and this virus will transfer to your eyes,nose or mouth.

People with the Influenza virus are likely contagious from the day before you feel symptoms until they start the symptoms. People and children who are with weakened immune systems must be contagious for a longer period.

Influenza viruses usually constant change with new strains which appear regularly.If you had influenza in the past, your body has already made antibodies which help to fight that strain of the virus. In future, again you are affected with this infection, antibodies present in your body because you already had or by vaccinating yourself, but those antibodies will help you to prevent or it lesser the severity. But antibodies in the body will decline over the period of time.

But in rare cases, antibodies against influenza viruses may not protect you from new influenza viruses. New strains of influenza virus will be different viruses from what you encountered before.

Risk factors

Factors that increase the risk of developing flu or its complications include:

• Age. Seasonal diseases like influenza will have worse symptoms in children under age 2 and adults older than age 65.

• Living or working conditions.  People who are at high risk of getting flu are based on where they live or work in many other residences like nursing homes or military barracks.

• Weakened immune system.  People who are getting treatments like Cancer treatments, anti-rejection medications, long-term use of steroids, organ transplant, blood cancer or HIV/AIDS can weaken the immune system. Flu will catch people easily and it increases the risk of developing complications.

• Chronic illnesses. Chronic illness will increase the risk of influenza complications. Some examples are asthma and other lung diseases, diabetes, heart diseases and central nervous systems, metabolic disorders and some problems in the airway and kidney, liver or blood disease.

• Race. People who are American Indians or Alaska Natives are at high risk of influenza complications

• Aspirin use under age 19. People who are under the age of 19 and receiving aspirin at long-term therapy are at high risk of developing Reye's syndrome if it is infected with influenza virus.

• Pregnancy. Usually pregnant people are likely to develop complications especially in the second and third trimesters. These complications continue upto two weeks after the baby is born.

• Obesity. People with a low BMI of 40 or higher are at high risk of flu complications.

Complications

 People who are young and healthy, the influenza (flu) is not serious. But in rare cases, you will feel miserable while you have the flu. Usually the flu goes away in a week or two. But there are no lasting effects. But usually children and adults are at high risk will develop complications which include:

• Pneumonia

• Bronchitis

• Asthma flare-ups

• Heart problems

• Ear infections

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome

Most serious complication of influenza is Pneumonia. Pneumonia can be fatal for many people including adults and people with a chronic illness.

Prevention

Some other ways of preventing flu include:

• Do practise washing your hands with soap and water regularly. You can use alcohol-based hand sanitizer,  If you are not able to use soap or water.

• You should cover your mouth and nose while you sneeze or cough. You must cough or sneeze into your elbow or any tissue rather than your bare hand.

• You should avoid being around other people when you or they are sick with the flu or other infectious diseases.

• You must wear a mask if you are sick and you will avoid being around others.

• You should avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth while they are sick.

• You should not share your food or eating utensils (forks, spoons, cups) with others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What causes influenza virus?

Ans: The cause of Influenza virus is when people inhale the air while people with infection coughs,sneezes or talks, it spreads the virus through the air in droplets.You can also catch the flu if you touch something with the virus on it, and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Q2.What are the 4 types of influenza?

Ans:There are four types of influenza viruses: A, B, C, and D. Influenza A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics of disease in people (known as flu season) almost every winter.

Q3.How is influenza treated?

Ans: Antiviral drugs can help treat flu illness: Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics.

Q4.What are 3 symptoms of influenza?

Ans: fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose.

Q5.How serious is influenza?

Ans:Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses which infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.