Flu is a respiratory infection caused by number of influenza virus.
Most people catch the flu when they breathe in tiny droplets from coughs or sneezes of someone who has the flu. You can also catch the flu if you touch something with the virus on it, and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Sometimes people confuse colds and flu. They do share some of the same symptoms. Most people get a coldseveral times each year. But they usually get the flu once every few years.
People call a viral illness that makes them throw up or have diarrhea the "stomach flu." This is incorrect. The flu mostly causes symptoms in the nose, throat, and lungs.
Symptoms
Flu symptoms usually begins quickly. Symptoms appear 1 - 7 days after you come in contact with the virus. They usually hit within 2 - 3 days.
The flu spreads easily. It often strikes a community all at once. Students or workers become sick within 2 or 3 weeks of the flu's arrival in a school or workplace.
The first symptom is a fever between 102 and 106 °F. An adult usually has a lower fever than a child.
Other common symptoms include:
Body aches
Chills
Dizziness
Flushed face
Headache
Lack of energy
Nausea and vomiting
Between day 2 and day 4 of the illness, the fever and aches and pains begin to go away. But new symptoms occur, including:
Dry cough
Increased breathing symptoms
Runny nose (clear and watery)
Sneezing
Sore throat
These symptoms (except the cough) usually go away in 4 - 7 days. Sometimes, the fever returns. The cough and feeling tired may last for weeks.
Some people may not feel like eating.
The flu can make asthma, breathing problems, and other long-term illnesses worse.
When to visit your GP
If you are otherwise fit and healthy, there is usually no need to visit your GP if you have flu-like symptoms.
The best remedy is to rest at home, keep warm and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower a high temperature and relieve aches.
You should visit your GP if you have flu-like symptoms and you:
are 65 years of age or over
are pregnant
have a long-term medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, kidney or neurological disease
have a weakened immune system (the body's natural defence against infection and illness)
Flu can be more serious for these groups and antiviral medication may need to be prescribed.
Read more about how to treat flu and who should see a doctor.
Preventing the Flu:
1. Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Most people catch the flu when they breathe in tiny droplets from coughs or sneezes of someone who has the flu. You can also catch the flu if you touch something with the virus on it, and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Sometimes people confuse colds and flu. They do share some of the same symptoms. Most people get a coldseveral times each year. But they usually get the flu once every few years.
People call a viral illness that makes them throw up or have diarrhea the "stomach flu." This is incorrect. The flu mostly causes symptoms in the nose, throat, and lungs.
Symptoms
Flu symptoms usually begins quickly. Symptoms appear 1 - 7 days after you come in contact with the virus. They usually hit within 2 - 3 days.
The flu spreads easily. It often strikes a community all at once. Students or workers become sick within 2 or 3 weeks of the flu's arrival in a school or workplace.
The first symptom is a fever between 102 and 106 °F. An adult usually has a lower fever than a child.
Other common symptoms include:
Body aches
Chills
Dizziness
Flushed face
Headache
Lack of energy
Nausea and vomiting
Between day 2 and day 4 of the illness, the fever and aches and pains begin to go away. But new symptoms occur, including:
Dry cough
Increased breathing symptoms
Runny nose (clear and watery)
Sneezing
Sore throat
These symptoms (except the cough) usually go away in 4 - 7 days. Sometimes, the fever returns. The cough and feeling tired may last for weeks.
Some people may not feel like eating.
The flu can make asthma, breathing problems, and other long-term illnesses worse.
When to visit your GP
If you are otherwise fit and healthy, there is usually no need to visit your GP if you have flu-like symptoms.
The best remedy is to rest at home, keep warm and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower a high temperature and relieve aches.
You should visit your GP if you have flu-like symptoms and you:
are 65 years of age or over
are pregnant
have a long-term medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, kidney or neurological disease
have a weakened immune system (the body's natural defence against infection and illness)
Flu can be more serious for these groups and antiviral medication may need to be prescribed.
Read more about how to treat flu and who should see a doctor.
Preventing the Flu:
1. Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
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