Seasonal Flu Symptoms
Introduction to Influenza
Influenza or flu is an infectious disease that affects birds and mammals. It is caused by the different strains of the influenza virus. It causes infection of the respiratory tract and may lead to a wide range of symptoms that have been enumerated below. The transmission of this virus, usually takes place through air from mammal to mammal. For example, when a person infected with the influenza virus coughs, he releases some of the viruses into the air. The same air may be inhaled by another person, leading to an infection.
Many strains of the influenza virus are highly pathogenic in nature and have caused 3 pandemics in the last century. Apart from them, seasonal epidemics of influenza are also known to occur throughout the world.
The most recent influenza threat has been in the form of the H5N1 virus that affects birds. Still in its emerging stage, this virus is yet to adapt itself to humans. However, it poses the greatest pandemic threat in today's world.
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Seasonal Flu Symptoms
Influenza can cause a variety of symptoms. Once a person has been infected with the flu virus, the symptoms start appearing within 1 to 4 days. Some of the seasonal flu symptoms are as follows:
- In the initial stages, a person may develop a fever, with temperature of up to 104 ° Fahrenheit. This fever usually disappears after a few days.
- The infected person also feels exhausted during the early days. He may get tired by doing the least amount of work. The tiredness also disappears after a few days.
- These symptoms are usually followed by a stuffy nose and a sore throat.
- During this period, the infected person may also suffer from body ache. These aches may be so severe that the person may be confined to his bed for a number of days. These aches usually occur in the lower back and in the legs.
- Eyes of the person may suffer from irritation. In some cases, the person may also suffer from ophthalmic infections like conjunctivitis.
- The person may also suffer from frequent head aches.
- Influenza may also lead to stomach disorders like abdominal pains, and diarrhea. One should note that these symptoms correspond to gastroenteritis as well and hence, should not be confused as flu, unless accompanied by other seasonal flu symptoms.
- In case, an individual is taking drugs to fight cancer or smokes regularly, then he is likely to have more severe symptoms due to influenza. Flu is also prevalent in children below the age of 5 and in individuals above the age of 65, who already suffer from some chronic disease.
- In serious cases, flu may also lead to pneumonia. Often, death among flu patients is caused, because of this condition.
Flu Diagnosis
Flu like symptoms can be caused by a variety of other conditions. Hence, a doctor cannot immediately say that a person is suffering from influenza, if he encounters such symptoms. Also, as there exist a number of subtypes of the influenza virus, the seriousness of the condition cannot be gauged without proper tests.
To determine the type of virus, a virus culture is performed on a swab from your nose or throat. Once this is done, accurate medication can be given.
What to do, if you encounter Seasonal Flu Symptoms?
A person often tends to ignore the flu symptoms, as they do not seem serious initially. However, to avoid the serious consequences, it is better to take some safety precautions. They are as follows: