FLU: symptoms and prevention

Some people get the flu for several days, while others take longer and have severe complications. In total, there are three types of influenza virus, which are characterized by infinite variability, while everyone can protect themselves from the flu and its consequences.

What is the flu and what is its danger?

Flu is an infectious disease that anyone can get sick with. The causative agent of influenza is a virus that enters the nasopharynx of others from infected people.

Most people get the flu for only a few days, but some get more serious, possibly severe, up to fatal outcomes.

With the flu, the existing chronic diseases worsen, in addition, the flu has an extensive list of possible complications:

Pulmonary complications (pneumonia, bronchitis). Pneumonia is the cause of most deaths from the flu.

Complications from the upper respiratory tract and ENT organs (otitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, tracheitis).

Complications from the cardiovascular system (myocarditis, pericarditis).

Complications from the nervous system (meningitis, meningoencephalitis, encephalitis, neuralgia, polyradiculoneuritis).

To avoid possible complications, it is important to carry out timely prevention of influenza and properly treat the disease itself.

Usually the flu starts suddenly. Influenza pathogens, viruses of types A and B, are characterized by aggressiveness and an exceptionally high rate of reproduction, so in a few hours after infection, the virus leads to deep lesions of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, opening up opportunities for bacteria to enter it.

Flu symptoms include fever, fever 37.5-39 °C, headache, muscle and joint pain, chills, fatigue, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and sore and scratchy throat.

Flu can be confused with other diseases, so a clear diagnosis should be made by a doctor, who also prescribes treatment tactics.

What to do when you get the flu?

The patient himself, at the first symptoms, needs to stay at home, so as not only not to infect others, but also to take up treatment in time, for which it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor. To prevent the further spread of infection, the patient should be isolated from healthy people, it is desirable to allocate a separate room.

Important!

Parents! In any case, do not send sick children to kindergarten, school, or cultural events. With the flu, it is extremely important to observe bed rest, since the disease increases the load on the cardiovascular, immune and other systems of the body.

Self-medication for influenza is unacceptable, and it is the doctor who should diagnose and prescribe the necessary treatment that corresponds to the condition and age of the patient.

For proper treatment, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of the attending physician and take medications in a timely manner. In addition, it is recommended to drink plenty of water — it can be hot tea, cranberry or lingonberry juice, alkaline mineral water. You need to drink more often and as much as possible.

Important!

At a temperature of 38-39°C, call the local doctor at home or the ambulance team.

When coughing and sneezing, the patient should cover his mouth and nose with a handkerchief or napkin.

The room where the patient is located should be regularly ventilated and wet cleaning should be carried out as often as possible, preferably with the use of disinfectants that act on viruses.

Communication with a sick person with the flu should be limited, and when caring for him, use a medical mask or gauze bandage.

How to protect yourself from the flu?

According to the position of the World Health Organization, the most effective remedy against influenza is vaccination, because it is the vaccine that provides protection against those types of influenza virus that are most relevant in this epidemiological season and are part of it.

The introduction of the vaccine into the body can not cause the disease, but by producing protective antibodies, it stimulates the immune system to fight the infection. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine is incomparably higher than all non-specific medications that can be taken during the winter months, such as immunomodulators, vitamins, homeopathic remedies, "traditional medicine" and so on.

Vaccination is recommended for all groups of the population, but it is especially indicated for children starting from 6 months, people suffering from chronic diseases, pregnant women, as well as people from occupational risk groups — medical workers, teachers, students, service workers and transport workers.

Vaccination should be carried out 2-3 weeks before the beginning of the increase in the incidence of the disease, you can only get vaccinated in a medical institution by specially trained medical personnel, and a doctor's examination is required before vaccination.

There are few contraindications to flu vaccination. Vaccination against influenza can not be done in acute febrile conditions, during the exacerbation of chronic diseases, with increased sensitivity of the body to egg white (if it is part of the vaccine).

By getting a flu shot, you protect your body from the attack of the most dangerous viruses — influenza viruses, but there are still more than 200 types of viruses that are less dangerous to humans, but can also cause SARS. Therefore, during the epidemic rise in the incidence of SARS and influenza, it is recommended to take measures of non-specific prevention.

Rules for the prevention of influenza:

Get a flu shot before the start of the epidemic season.

Reduce the time spent in crowded places and public transport.

Use the mask in crowded areas.

Avoid close contact with people who have signs of the disease, such as sneezing or coughing.

Regularly wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after the street and public transport.

Rinse the nasal cavity, especially after the street and public transport

Regularly ventilate the room in which you are located.

Regularly do a wet cleaning in the room in which you are located.

Humidify the air in the room you are in.

Eat as many foods containing vitamin C as possible (cranberries, cranberries, lemon, etc.).

Eat as many dishes with the addition of garlic and onions as possible.

On the recommendation of a doctor, use drugs and means that increase the immune system.

In the case of flu cases in the family or work team-start taking antiviral drugs for preventive purposes (in consultation with your doctor, taking into account contraindications and according to the instructions for use of the drug).

Lead a healthy lifestyle, get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly.