The flu, also referred to as influenza, is an infection caused by a highly contagious virus. The infection attacks different parts of the body, especially the respiratory system.
In most cases, the flu doesn’t need much treatment, and the body jumps back by itself. However, in severe cases, the condition can lead to serious and life-threatening complications as well.
Common symptoms of the flu
The initial symptoms of flu might seem like those of a cold, which include a stuffy nose, a sore throat, and sneezing. However, a cold develops slowly, whereas the flu tends to come in full force suddenly. Also, its symptoms are much more agonizing than the common cold.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Chills and sweating
- A fever above 100.4 F
- Headache
- Body aches
- Dry and persistent cough
- Excessive fatigue and weakness
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion
Causes of the flu
The flu virus travels through the air when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. One can inhale this infected air directly, or they may get the germs from some object and then transfer it to you.
The flu-infected person is contagious from the day the symptoms first begin to appear up till 4 -5 days after the symptoms show. Kids or people with a weak immune system are also contagious for a little longer period of time.
Important risk factors
There are many factors that greatly increase your risk of developing the flu or its complications. Some of the most common risk factors include:
- Age: Seasonal flu is more likely to affect kids and older adults.
- Living or working conditions: People living or working in areas where there are a lot of other people are more likely to catch the flu. Such areas include hospitals, military training centers, and so on.
- People with a weak immune system: Many factors like cancer treatments, corticosteroids, HIV-AIDS, and anti-rejection medicines can weaken the immune system. This increases the likelihood of catching the flu and other such illnesses.
- Chronic ailments: Many chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma, or heart disorders make a person more prone to catching the flu.
- Pregnancy: Women who are pregnant should take extra care as they are more likely to catch the flu, especially during the second and third trimesters. This flu can also lead to serious complications.
- Obesity: People who are obese or overweight are also at a higher risk of getting the flu.
When to see a doctor
Mostly, the flu clears up on its own within a couple of days, so there is no need to see a doctor as such.
However, if your symptoms worsen instead of getting better after a couple of days, it is advisable to immediately seek professional medical help, as delaying treatment can increase the chances of complications.
Taking antiviral medicines within the first 48 hours of the appearance of the initial symptoms can greatly help in reducing the severity of the illness and also for how long it lasts.
