What is the flu?
The flu is an infection that can cause fever, cough, body aches, and other symptoms. The most common type of flu is the “seasonal” flu. There are different forms of seasonal flu, for example, “type A” and “type B.”
All forms of the flu are caused by viruses. The medical term for the flu is “influenza.”
What are the other types of flu?
Besides seasonal flu, there is also the “swine” flu, which caused a worldwide outbreak (“pandemic”) in 2009 and 2010, and the bird flu. Bird flu (also known as “avian flu”) is a severe form of the flu that is caused by a type of flu virus that first infected birds.
What are the most common flu symptoms?
All forms of the flu can cause:
- Fever (temperature higher than 100ºF or 37.8ºC)
- Extreme tiredness
- Headache or body aches
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
Flu symptoms can come on very suddenly.
Is the flu dangerous?
It can be. Most people get over the flu on their own, without any lasting problems. But some people need to go to the hospital because of the flu. And some people even die from it. This is because the flu can cause a serious lung infection called pneumonia.
That’s why it’s important to keep from getting the flu in the first place. People at higher risk of getting very sick from the flu include:
- People 65 or older
- Young children (under 5 years old, and especially under 2 years old)
- Pregnant women
- People with certain other medical problems
If you or your child is in one of these groups, talk to a doctor or nurse. He or she can help you decide if you or your child needs treatment. In some cases, family members of a person with the flu might also need medicine to help prevent them from getting it.
Is there a test for flu?
Yes. There are tests for the flu. In most cases, your doctor can tell if you have the flu by your symptoms. But in some cases – for example, if you are at risk for having other problems caused by the flu – your doctor might do a test for flu.
How can I protect myself from the flu?
You can:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. .
- Stay away from people you know are sick
- Get the flu vaccine every year – Some years the flu vaccine is more effective than others. But even in years when it is less effective, it still helps prevent some cases of the flu. It can also help keep you from getting severely ill if you do get the flu.
What should I do if I get the flu?
If you think you have the flu, stay home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. You can also take tylenol or ibuprofen to relieve aches and pains. Do not give aspirin to children younger than 18 years as it can cause a serious problems called Reye syndrome.
Most people with the flu get better on their own within 1 to 2 weeks. But you should call your doctor or nurse if you:
- Have trouble breathing or are short of breath
- Feel pain or pressure in your chest or belly
- Get suddenly dizzy
- Feel confused
- Have severe vomiting
Take your child to the doctor if he or she:
- Starts breathing fast or has trouble breathing
- Starts to turn blue or purple
- Is not drinking enough fluids
- Will not wake up or will not interact with you
- Is so unhappy that he or she does not want to be held
- Gets better from the flu but then gets sick again with a fever or cough
- Has a fever with a rash
If you decide to go to a walk-in clinic or a hospital because of the flu, tell someone right away why you are there. The staff might ask you to wear a mask or to wait someplace where you are less likely to spread your infection.
Whether or not you see a doctor or nurse, you should stay home while you are sick with the flu, or keep your child home if he or she is sick. Do not go to work or school until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours, without taking medicine such as tylenol or ibuprofen.
Can the flu be treated?
Yes, people with the flu can get medicines called antiviral medicines. These medicines can help people avoid some of the problems caused by the flu. Not every person with the flu needs an antiviral medicine, but some people do. Your doctor or nurse will decide if you need an antiviral medicine. Antibiotics do not work on the flu.
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Apr 07, 2020.