Darrick Robles High fever, cough, body aches? If a flu epidemic is rolling through the country, you may be suffering from a viral flu with these symptoms. Influenza is more serious than just a cold. But it also usually passes after 5 to 7 days.
Symptoms of influenza
The severity of a viral flu can vary widely. Therefore, the associated symptoms can also vary in severity. Common flu symptoms are:
- high fever
- Dry tickly cough
- Sore throat
- headache
- body aches
- Sniffles
- chills
The flu wave usually starts in October and doesn’t end until May . Accordingly, most people fall ill in the winter months.
Flu or Cold?
Flu or Cold? In everyday language, the terms are often used synonymously . Medically, however, this is not correct. A cold is usually much more harmless than the so-called real flu (influenza or viral flu).
Flu symptoms such as cough, runny nose and fever can occur with both diseases. As a rule, however, the fever in the flu is higher and lasts longer than 3 days , and the feeling of illness is stronger . In addition, the flu usually starts suddenly , while a cold slowly “creeps up”. After a cold you usually feel fit again quickly, while after a flu you can still be exhausted for weeks .
Get help quickly for these flu symptoms
The flu usually goes away on its own. However, if you experience the following flu symptoms, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible :
- You have a high fever and difficulty breathing.
- You have a high fever for 4 days or more.
- You have a high fever that first goes down but then goes up again.
- You belong to a risk group and feel flu symptoms.
causes of flu
Viral flu, as the name suggests, is caused by viruses. Exactly which viruses are the culprits varies from year to year. If someone near you is sick and sneezes or coughs , you can get infected. The viruses can also be transmitted via doorknobs, banknotes or handrails on public transport.
There is an increased risk of infection in hospitals, medical practices and nursing homes as well as in schools and daycare centers . The time from infection to onset of the disease is about 1 to 4 days.
This is how you avoid catching the flu
Don’t want to catch the flu? Here are some behaviors you can take to reduce your risk of getting influenza:
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Refrain from shaking hands.
- Avoid large crowds during flu season.
diagnosis of influenza
A doctor can quickly determine whether you have the flu or a cold by questioning and physically examining the patient. If you are in a very poor state of health or the symptoms are unclear, a rapid influenza test can provide information in addition to recording the flu symptoms . For this purpose, some saliva from the throat is put on a cotton swab and then applied to a test strip. If necessary, flu treatment can then be initiated.
You can do this yourself if you have the flu
If you’ve caught a flu or a cold, it’s a good idea to get plenty of rest first . You should drink a lot, especially if you have a high fever : water and unsweetened tea. Cough syrup and decongestant nose drops can also relieve flu symptoms.
If you have a fever or aching limbs, you can take non-prescription antipyretics and painkillers . Let Med-Healths advise you on what can best help you in individual cases.
Caution: Children should not take any medicines containing aspirin if they have the flu!
Treatment options for influenza
For people who belong to a risk group, the doctor can prescribe antiviral drugs as part of flu treatment . Otherwise, flu is cured in a similar way to a cold. This means that an attempt is made to alleviate the symptoms that occur.
Vaccination against flu
Vaccination is always preferable to treating influenza. The Standing Committee on Vaccination recommends annual vaccination against influenza in October and November . This applies in particular (but not exclusively) to the following risk groups :
- pregnant women
- people over 60 years of age
- people with weakened immune systems
- Chronically ill people
- Residents of old people’s and nursing homes
- People at increased risk (e.g. medical staff)
Even if you do not belong to a risk group, you can be vaccinated against viral flu. However, the flu vaccination does not offer 100% protection: you can still get the flu . In this case, however, the disease is usually less severe. How well the vaccine works depends on how similar it is to the type of virus that causes the flu.
How Med-Healths can help with the flu
Flu or Cold? A doctor at Med-Healths can answer this important question for you. On this basis, flu treatment can be initiated. If necessary, the doctor can also prescribe the appropriate medication for you or issue a sick note. If your child is sick, they must be present during the video call.
