How Do You Know Difference Between Cold and Flu
"The flu" is a term commonly used to describe seasonal flu, an illness caused by 1 of numerous flu viruses. This highly contagious infection affects your respiratory system, causing symptoms that tin can range from mild to life-threatening.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that three–xi% of the population within the United States becomes infected with the flu each yr. Amid infected individuals, hundreds of thousands may require hospitalization and more than 36,000 individuals typically die each twelvemonth from the influenza. Infections are most common in the autumn and wintertime, so this period of each year is referred to as "flu season." If you're concerned most the flu, learn more about the symptoms to look out for, along with some important tips for stopping the spread of this serious affliction.
There 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 tin can then inhale the droplets or transfer them into their bodies by touching a contaminated surface so touching their eyes, nose or oral cavity. One time the virus enters your body, it chop-chop replicates and causes symptoms of the flu.
A person who's infected with an influenza virus is typically contagious one day before their symptoms begin appearing and up to 7 days after their symptoms kickoff start. During this menstruation, 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 usually begin inside one to four days of exposure to the virus. Many common influenza symptoms are very similar to cold symptoms, though they typically come up on more suddenly than they practice when you have a cold. When you've been infected with an influenza virus, you lot'll probable experience some or all of the following:
- Fever
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Headaches
- Body or muscle aches
- Chills
- Fatigue or weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea (these occur more often in children)
More often than not speaking, flu symptoms are more than severe and more than debilitating than symptoms of the cold. Flu symptoms typically last for one to 2 weeks and most oft resolve on their own. Nevertheless, in certain cases, influenza infections can lead to more serious complications and require intervention from a medical professional.
Certain populations are at a higher hazard of developing health complications related to the seasonal flu. These individuals include:
- Children under v years old (children nether half dozen months have an even greater risk)
- Adults 65 years of age or older (especially in long-term care environments)
- Pregnant people or those who have recently given nativity
People living with the following health conditions also may exist at a college risk for developing complications from the flu:
- Chronic lung disease or asthma
- Middle affliction
- Blood, kidney or liver disorders
- Metabolic disorders
- Neurological and neurodevelopmental weather condition
- Obesity
- Individuals under the age of 19 who are taking long-term aspirin therapy
- Anyone with a compromised immune system, similar people living with cancer, HIV or AIDS
If you experience flu-related complications, you may need to exist hospitalized to receive effective intendance. Flu-related complications include:
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis or severe asthma
- Heart issues
- Ear infections
- Death
Diagnosing Influenza
Often, when influenza symptoms are mild and occur during flu flavor, your healthcare provider may make a diagnosis based on your medical history and symptom report alone. It's too possible to directly test 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 exist tested to determine whether you accept the virus. The physician may order claret tests or 10-rays if the severity of the infection indicates y'all may experience possible complications.
If you fit into any of the above categories that have a higher risk for developing dangerous complications from influenza, it's of import to contact a healthcare provider right away when you develop symptoms. If you feel any difficulty breathing, dizziness or chest pain, contact emergency services by dialing 911 immediately.
Handling for Influenza
Unless you're at hazard of developing influenza-related complications, you can likely treat seasonal influenza at home under your doc'due south guidance. Recommendations include:
- Drinking plenty of fluids and maintaining a healthy nutritional intake
- Getting acceptable rest
- Using over-the-counter pain and fever relief medications
- Avoiding close contact with others as much as possible until your fever has been gone for at to the lowest degree 24 hours without medication
If y'all're at a higher risk of developing complications or if your symptoms increase in severity, your doctor may be able to give you certain antiviral medications to care for the flu. These medications are meant to shorten the duration of an infection.
Considering of the highly contagious nature of influenza, and its annual prevalence, it's very of import to accept precautions to help prevent the spread of this illness. Keep the post-obit tips in listen, especially during flu season each yr:
- Wash your hands frequently, especially subsequently touching high-contact surfaces
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Go on surfaces around your home and workspace clean and disinfected
- Be mindful of crowds and avoid them whenever possible
- Maintain distance from anyone who's ill or known to exist infected
- Get a flu shot every yr
Vaccinations, or flu shots, are available every twelvemonth and are specifically adult to target the strains of influenza that are virtually likely to exist dominant that year. The CDC recommends that every person over the age of 6 months receive a flu shot each twelvemonth to finer protect against flu infection and its possible serious consequences.
Vaccinations tin can take the class of an intramuscular injection or a nasal spray, and they work by causing your torso to develop antibodies that can then recognize and fight off the flu virus if you come up into contact with it in the future. Influenza vaccinations do non cause illness, and they're an effective tool for preventing the effects of influenza in individuals and communities. Talk with your healthcare provider about the appropriate type 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/influenza/pages/default.aspx
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-weather condition/influenza/symptoms-causes/syc-20351719
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/preclude/keyfacts.htm
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Source: https://www.symptomfind.com/health/flu-condition?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740013%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex
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