What to Do if Someone in Your House Has the Flu
Everything You Demand to Know About the Flu
"The influenza" is a term commonly used to describe seasonal flu, an illness caused by one of numerous influenza viruses. This highly contagious infection affects your respiratory system, causing symptoms that can range from mild to life-threatening.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 3–11% of the population within the United States becomes infected with the flu each year. Amid infected individuals, hundreds of thousands may require hospitalization and more than 36,000 individuals typically die each year from the flu. Infections are most common in the fall and winter, so this period of each year is referred to as "influenza season." If you're concerned about the flu, learn more about the symptoms to expect out for, forth with some of import tips for stopping the spread of this serious illness.
At that place are several types of influenza viruses that can cause infection. Each of these viruses is spread from person to person via droplets that are naturally expelled when we talk, cough, sing or sneeze. Other people can then inhale the droplets or transfer them into their bodies by touching a contaminated surface and so touching their eyes, olfactory organ or mouth. One time the virus enters your body, it quickly replicates and causes symptoms of the flu.
A person who'south infected with an influenza virus is typically contagious one 24-hour interval before their symptoms begin appearing and up to seven days after their symptoms showtime showtime. During this period, the virus is actively replicating and tin can easily be passed on to other people who are in close contact.
Symptoms of Influenza
Symptoms of the flu commonly begin inside one to four days of exposure to the virus. Many common flu symptoms are very like to cold symptoms, though they typically come on more suddenly than they practise when you have a cold. When you've been infected with an influenza virus, you'll likely experience some or all of the following:
- Fever
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Runny olfactory organ
- Congestion
- Headaches
- Body or musculus aches
- Chills
- Fatigue or weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea (these occur more than oftentimes in children)
Generally speaking, flu symptoms are more astringent and more than debilitating than symptoms of the common cold. Flu symptoms typically last for one to ii weeks and virtually ofttimes resolve on their own. Still, in sure cases, influenza infections tin atomic number 82 to more serious complications and require intervention from a medical professional.
Certain populations are at a higher risk of developing health complications related to the seasonal flu. These individuals include:
- Children under v years erstwhile (children under half dozen months have an even greater risk)
- Adults 65 years of age or older (particularly in long-term care environments)
- Meaning people or those who have recently given birth
People living with the following health conditions also may be at a higher gamble for developing complications from the influenza:
- Chronic lung disease or asthma
- Center disease
- Blood, kidney or liver disorders
- Metabolic disorders
- Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions
- Obesity
- Individuals under the age of 19 who are taking long-term aspirin therapy
- Anyone with a compromised immune organisation, like people living with cancer, HIV or AIDS
If you experience flu-related complications, you may need to be hospitalized to receive effective care. Flu-related complications include:
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis or astringent asthma
- Eye problems
- Ear infections
- Decease
Diagnosing Flu
Often, when influenza symptoms are balmy and occur during flu season, your healthcare provider may brand a diagnosis based on your medical history and symptom written report alone. It'due south also possible to directly exam for the presence of the influenza virus via a respiratory swab. Your doctor may collect a sample of fluid from your nasal passage, and this sample will be tested to determine whether you accept the virus. The physician may order blood tests or X-rays if the severity of the infection indicates you lot may feel possible complications.
If you fit into any of the above categories that accept a higher risk for developing dangerous complications from flu, it's of import to contact a healthcare provider correct away when you develop symptoms. If y'all experience any difficulty breathing, dizziness or chest pain, contact emergency services past dialing 911 immediately.
Handling for Influenza
Unless you're at adventure of developing flu-related complications, you can likely treat seasonal influenza at abode under your doctor's guidance. Recommendations include:
- Drinking plenty of fluids and maintaining a healthy nutritional intake
- Getting adequate rest
- Using over-the-counter pain and fever relief medications
- Avoiding close contact with others as much equally possible until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without medication
If you're at a college risk of developing complications or if your symptoms increment in severity, your doctor may be able to requite you certain antiviral medications to care for the flu. These medications are meant to shorten the elapsing of an infection.
Because of the highly contagious nature of influenza, and its annual prevalence, information technology's very of import to take precautions to help prevent the spread of this illness. Keep the following tips in mind, especially during flu season each year:
- Wash your hands ofttimes, especially after touching high-contact surfaces
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and rima oris
- Keep surfaces around your home and workspace clean and disinfected
- Be mindful of crowds and avert them whenever possible
- Maintain distance from anyone who'south ill or known to be infected
- Go a flu shot every year
Vaccinations, or flu shots, are available every yr and are specifically developed to target the strains of flu that are most probable to exist dominant that yr. The CDC recommends that every person over the age of six months receive a flu shot each year to finer protect against flu infection and its possible serious consequences.
Vaccinations can accept the grade of an intramuscular injection or a nasal spray, and they work by causing your trunk to develop antibodies that can and so recognize and fight off the influenza virus if you come into contact with it in the futurity. Flu vaccinations practise not crusade illness, and they're an constructive tool for preventing the effects of influenza in individuals and communities. Talk with your healthcare provider about the appropriate blazon and timing of vaccination for you.
Resource Links:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm
https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/influenza
https://www.ors.od.nih.gov/flu/pages/default.aspx
https://world wide web.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/symptoms-causes/syc-20351719
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm
Source: https://www.symptomfind.com/health-conditions/flu-condition?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740013%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex
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