With the arrival of cold weather, it is important to maintain body temperature. Wearing warm clothing and keeping the head, hands and feet warm are among the preventive measures against colds and other respiratory infections. Also, washing hands regularly can reduce the risk of spreading the flu virus. Flu is a disease that is more common in the winter months. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose and muscle aches. The flu vaccine is recommended as a preventive measure against this virus. Vaccination can reduce the severity of the disease and reduce the risk of complications. When cold weather and flu season arrives, taking conscious precautions and maintaining healthy habits is important to protect both our physical and mental health during the winter months.
What is influenza?
Influenza is a type of virus commonly known as the flu that causes respiratory infections. Influenza virus is an RNA-containing virus belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family and has three main types: A, B, and C. Influenza types A and B can cause significant flu epidemics in humans, while type C causes milder symptoms. Influenza virus is transmitted through breathing and is usually spread by inhaling droplets in the air from a sick person coughing or sneezing, or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes with hands.
Influenza usually starts quickly and can make a person seriously ill. It can lead to more serious consequences, especially for the elderly, children and people with weakened immune systems. It can also lead to respiratory infections, which can cause complications. The flu vaccine is an effective measure to protect against the influenza virus. The vaccine is updated annually and increases immunity against seasonal flu epidemics. If symptoms occur, rest, drinking plenty of fluids and medications to relieve symptoms may be recommended. However, serious cases may require evaluation and treatment by healthcare professionals. “What happens when you have influenza?” In answer to the question, we can briefly say that the person has the flu.
What is flu?
Flu is a contagious respiratory infection caused by a virus called influenza. Influenza virus is a type of RNA virus that affects humans and animals. Flu usually spreads in seasonal epidemics during the winter months and affects the respiratory tract, manifesting itself with symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache and muscle aches.
How do we know if it is influenza?
Flu is an infectious disease caused by a virus called influenza. Flu usually begins suddenly and lasts for a few days and manifests itself with symptoms such as high fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headache and fatigue. To understand that you have the flu, it is important to see a doctor if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms. Influenza symptoms:
- Sudden onset of high fever (38 degrees or above)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle pains
- Headache
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
Flu symptoms usually appear 1-4 days after infection. Flu can cause serious complications, especially in people who are elderly, have a weakened immune system, or have a chronic disease.
What should people with influenza do?
Flu is an infectious disease caused by a virus called influenza. Flu can cause serious complications, especially in people who are elderly, have a weakened immune system, or have a chronic disease. Therefore, it is important to take the above precautions when you have the flu and see a doctor if your symptoms worsen. It is important to take the following precautions when you have the flu:
- Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking plenty of fluids helps prevent dehydration and lowers your fever. Choose liquids such as water, juice, soup and vegetable juices.
- Rest. Your body needs rest to heal. Get plenty of sleep and maintain your energy.
- Take painkillers and antipyretics. Painkillers and antipyretics such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol can help relieve flu symptoms.
- Take flu medications. Flu medications help prevent the flu virus from multiplying. Flu medications should be taken as recommended by your doctor.
- Wash your hands frequently. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available to wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Stay away from sick people. Avoid contact with sick people. After contact with a sick person, wash your hands immediately.
- Get vaccinated. The flu vaccine is the most effective way to prevent flu infection. The flu vaccine is a vaccine that is renewed every year. The flu vaccine reduces the risk of flu infection by approximately 60-70%.
When you have the flu it is important to see a doctor if:
- If your fever is above 39 degrees or does not go down within 3 days
- If you have a severe sore throat or difficulty breathing
- If you have stomach pain or diarrhea
- If you are elderly, have a weakened immune system, or have a chronic disease
A rapid influenza test is a test in which a swab taken from the nose or throat is used to detect antigens of the influenza virus. This test can usually be done in a healthcare facility or pharmacies. How the rapid influenza test is performed may vary depending on where the test is performed. However, in general the following steps are followed:
- The person performing the test washes their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand antiseptic.
- Carefully reads the instructions inside the test kit.
- Prepares the test tube or cassette.
- Swabs the test strip from the nose or throat.
- Inserts the test strip into the test tube or cassette.
- It waits the specified time to read the test result.
The test result is usually obtained within 10-15 minutes. If the test result is positive, it means that the person has the flu virus. If the test result is negative, it means that the person does not have the flu virus. The accuracy of rapid influenza testing may vary depending on the location where the test is performed and the quality of the test. In general, the accuracy of rapid influenza tests is around 80-90%.
How many days does it take to clear influenza in babies?
Influenza in babies usually goes away within 1-2 weeks. However, in some cases, symptoms may last up to 3 weeks. Influenza symptoms in babies are similar to symptoms seen in adults. These symptoms include:
- High fever (38 degrees or above)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle pains
- Headache
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
Influenza in infants can cause serious complications, especially in babies who are elderly, have weak immune systems, or have chronic diseases. Therefore, if babies develop symptoms of influenza, it is important to see a doctor. The goal of treating influenza in infants is to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.