Flu is a respiratory infection caused by viruses. Influenza, with its name in medical literature, is often colloquially called influenza. Flu is caused by a group of viruses that can settle in the nose, throat and lungs. What are the symptoms of the flu? How is the flu diagnosed? How is flu treatment done? Flu medicines What foods are good for flu? How can we be protected from the flu? The answer to your questions is in the details of the news ...
Caused by the virus called influenza influenza; It is a seasonal disease that occurs with symptoms such as 39 degrees fever, severe muscle and joint pain, weakness, fatigue, tremors, headache and dry cough. The flu is effective for about 6-8 weeks during the winter months. The causative influenza virus has types A, B, and C. Type C does not cause disease in people. Influenza A has a milder course. Type B affects more children. The flu virus can make major epidemics in some years. The transmission route of the disease is through the contamination of respiratory secretions from sick people to healthy people. The incubation period of the disease is 1-3 days.
Flu patients start to infect the disease one day before the symptoms begin, and the contagion continues for another 5 days. In children, this period may be up to 10 days longer.
People at higher risk of developing flu complications include:
- Young children under the age of 5 and especially those under 2 years old
- Are older than 65
- Pregnant women and women who have given birth in the last 2 weeks
- People with a weak immune system
- People with chronic diseases such as asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and diabetes
Flu causes epidemics that occur almost every winter season. The nature of the flu virus changes every year, which is difficult to predict. This means people are exposed to new strains of viruses every year.
The same as the flu can cause mild respiratory illnesses zamIt can also cause serious infections.
What are the Flu Symptoms?
- Fever: 38-39
- Headache
- General body pain
- 2-3 weeks of fatigue and weakness
- Nasal obstruction
- Throat ache
- Frequent cough
- Sweating
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Vomiting due to cough
Complications due to influenza disease; pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation) and myocarditis (inflammation of the pericardium). Death can occur after flu. However, the cause of death is usually complications.
How Is Flu Diagnosed?
Grip his symptoms are often confused with cold symptoms. The definitive diagnosis of influenza is made with the help of a swab taken from the nose in the first 3 days of the disease.
How Is Flu Treatment Done?
In the treatment of flu The main drugs used are antiviral drugs and vaccines. Flu virus it undergoes antigenic change every year. For this reason, flu vaccines are produced each year according to the most common flu viruses in the previous year. The vaccine is administered from September to November. Thanks to vaccination, severe illness and complications are prevented. The protection of the vaccine is between 70-90%. Primarily those that should be vaccinated:
- Over the age of 65,
- Those staying in the elderly care home,
- Children and adults with asthma,
- Those with heart-lung disease,
- Diabetes, kidney disease and those with weak immune system,
- Long-term aspirin therapy,
- Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu season,
- healthcare professionals, those working in elderly centers,
- They are people with the AIDS virus.
Breastfeeding mothers can get vaccinated. Flu vaccine can be administered with other vaccines. In young children, two half doses are given with an interval of 1 month at the first administration.
Risk groups that should not be vaccinated:
- Babies younger than six months
- Those who are allergic to eggs,
- Those with high fever,
- Those who had an allergic reaction to the previous flu vaccine.
Flu Medicines
In the treatment of flu There are antiviral drugs used. These drugs are effective if used within the first 48 hours after the symptoms begin. Each grip It is not necessary for the patient to use antiviral medication. These drugs are especially applied to risky groups.
In the treatment of flu Pain relievers and antipyretics are often used. Aspirin should never be used in treatment. Drinking plenty of fluids and bed rest should be done. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed in abundance. Hands should be washed frequently. It is appropriate to use a mask to reduce the spread of the disease.
What Are the Foods Good for Flu?
Chicken soup, trotter soup, orange, grapefruit, tangerine, lemon tea, ginger, echinacea, rosehip, sage, thyme tea, eucalyptus tea, honey, onion and garlic are the main foods that are beneficial for flu.
How Can We Avoid The Flu?
In seasons when flu is common and epidemic, it is necessary to stay away from crowded environments, to use a mask, to wash hands frequently, to eat healthily, to avoid fatigue and insomnia, and to drink plenty of fluids. Not sending sick children to kindergartens or schools can slow the spread of the disease. It is beneficial to avoid kissing and shaking hands during the winter season.
Flu Questions and Answers
[ultimate-faqs include_category = 'grip']
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