Influenza caused by a virus called influenza is mostly seen in autumn, winter and spring, especially during seasonal transitions. Influenza, which can also be defined as an acute respiratory disease, can be life-threatening in some people. Although the flu is often confused with the common cold, these diseases are very different from each other.
Influenza (Influenza)
While flu is a disease caused by the influenza virus, colds are caused by different pathogens. Influenza, which is highly contagious, spreads through the air through droplets from the throat secretion of an infected person when sneezing, coughing or talking. It is transmitted to a healthy person by inhaling these droplets containing the virus by other healthy people in the environment or by touching objects such as door handles, elevator buttons, which contain droplets. When the person puts his/her hand in his/her mouth, nose or eyes, the healthy person also gets the influenza virus. Although the flu goes away on its own within a week in healthy people, the recovery process takes longer in people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, the elderly and children. Influenza kills between 250 and 500,000 people worldwide each year. If the flu symptoms do not go away or if the symptoms gradually increase, a doctor should be consulted. Before moving on to the flu symptoms that are often wondered, "What is the flu?" It is necessary to answer the question.
What is the flu?
Influenza, or as it is called in medicine, is a type of respiratory tract caused by influenza viruses, which develops suddenly and mostly affects the nose, throat and then the lungs. is an infection. There are 3 different types of influenza viruses that cause flu, A, B and C. The type of flu caused by the influenza A virus is usually more severe and can affect the masses. Influenza B is mostly effective in children, and the flu caused by this virus causes mild symptomatic symptoms. Influenza C usually affects animals. When the infected person sneezes, coughs or talks, the infected droplets spread to the healthy person are transmitted from person to person. The escalating disease makes many people sick every year. The flu, which is mostly seen between the end of the autumn season and the beginning of the spring season, is also called seasonal flu with this feature. Influenza viruses have many subtypes and the structure of the virus changes easily. That's why different types of influenza virus emerge each year. This causes the person to catch the flu again every year.
What are the Symptoms of Flu?
Influenza viruses can easily be transmitted from person to person. The disease is most common during the winter months, when people begin to spend time in poorly ventilated indoor areas. Staying at a distance of 1 meter or closer to the infected person, the droplets dispersed by the infected person into the air; The virus, which is transmitted through the mouth, nose and eye mucosa of a healthy individual, can also be transmitted by touching the hands, mouth, nose and / or eyes after contact with contaminated (contaminated) objects through droplets. Influenza is mostly a mild illness and infected people usually recover within 7 days. However, the disease is more severe in patients with chronic diseases, the elderly, children and pregnant women. Influenza can cause hospitalization and even death of people with these features. >Fatigue,
What's the Difference Between A Cold and Flu?
Cold Common cold and flu are respiratory diseases caused by different viruses. The common cold affects only the upper respiratory tract, while the flu affects the entire respiratory system, including the lungs. Therefore, symptoms such as pain, fever and fatigue that occur with the flu are more severe compared to the common cold. Fever, cough and headache, which are rare in the common cold, are usually present in the flu. Colds can cause sinusitis and earache, while the flu can cause bronchitis and pneumonia. While the common cold cannot be prevented, the flu can be But it can be prevented with antiviral drugs. In the flu disease caused by the influenza virus, the worst days of the patient are the first 3-4 days. In addition, the flu becomes contagious in the first 24 to 72 hours. Therefore, the person can transmit the virus to other people before they realize that they are sick.
What is the Influenza Vaccine?
Influenza virus can cause serious health problems such as pneumonia. Therefore, it is important to protect those with chronic health problems, pregnant women and babies from influenza. There are many subtypes of the influenza virus that causes flu. In addition, the virus undergoes constant change and differs from the viruses seen in the previous year. This is the reason why the immune system does not recognize the virus, so a person catches the flu every year. The most effective way to prevent infection caused by the flu is to be vaccinated. This is why the World Health Organization (WHO, WHO) emphasizes the importance of the flu vaccine every year and encourages people to be vaccinated. The flu vaccine is redeveloped every year. 3-4 subtypes of viruses that most infected and affected the society in the previous year are included in the virus vaccine. Although flu vaccines are extremely reliable, they do not provide 100% protection due to the nature-changing feature of the influenza virus. However, it makes the person immune to many influenza viruses and reduces the possibility of getting the flu.
Although the flu vaccine can always be done, it is recommended to be vaccinated at the end of October. Two weeks after vaccination, a person becomes immune to existing influenza viruses. Influenza vaccine, which can be administered after the first 6 months in children, can be administered in two doses, 4 weeks apart, when administered to children up to 9 years old for the first time. Especially the elderly in the risk group, those with chronic diseases and pregnant women should have the flu vaccine. The vaccine, which does not have any side effects, can be administered to almost anyone who requests it. Those with chronic diseases such as kidneys,
When to See a Doctor?
Influenza is a treatable disease. Treatment taken within the first 48 hours of the onset of disease symptoms is much more effective. However, the person should definitely not decide to use drugs on their own. Although the flu usually heals on its own within 7 days, in some cases the disease can progress badly. If the flu causes a different disease and the person's fever does not decrease, a doctor should be consulted. In case of exacerbation of symptoms such as painful swallowing, persistent cough, headache, difficulty in breathing, congestion, and vomiting, the flu may have caused a different disease. In such cases, a doctor should be consulted.
How to Treat the Flu?
There are many different treatment options to alleviate the severity of the symptoms caused by the flu. These drugs, known as anti-viral drugs, should be used with the recommendation of a physician. Since the flu is a viral disease, antibiotics are absolutely not effective in the treatment of the disease. A person who applies to a doctor with flu symptoms should use the drugs prescribed by the doctor in the prescribed dose and time, drink plenty of fluids during the illness, eat healthy and wash their hands frequently. To prevent the spread of the disease to other people, a disposable tissue should be used when coughing or sneezing, if there is no tissue, the mouth should be covered with the inside of the elbow.
What's Good for Flu?
A balanced diet is good for flu. Consuming some known foods and drinking plenty of water helps to get rid of the flu less and heal faster. In all infections, the body's energy needs increase. This need should be met with a regular and balanced diet, and fluid intake (preferably water) should be increased so that the toxins formed in the body can be easily removed. Daily intake of 2-2.5 liters of fluid allows the body to better cope with the disease. If it is difficult to consume only water, natural fruit juices and soups prepared at home are also included in the daily water intake.
All homemade soups, especially chicken broth soup, are considered both liquid and carbohydrate sources. In addition, fluid intake can be supplemented with herbal teas. Among them, rosehip rich in vitamin C supports general immunity. echinacea and thyme tea, which are known to be anti-inflammatory, sage tea due to their anti-inflammatory effect, eucalyptus and ginger teas due to their bronchial opening effects can be counted. Green tea is a powerful antioxidant due to its rich flavonoid content, and in cases of infection, the body should be supported with antioxidants. In addition, it is known that the mixture of honey and powdered ginger helps to clean the bronchi, especially in winter. Different chemical events are triggered in herbs that are kept too long or brewed by boiling on the stove. These issues should be considered while preparing herbal teas.
Vitamin C, which helps to increase general resistance in flu and colds, should be taken from fresh fruits and vegetables. For this purpose, foods such as fresh pepper (green or red), lemon, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, parsley, cress, arugula, cauliflower, kiwi and spinach should be given weight.
Onion, an indispensable part of our food culture, and in Anatolia Garlic, which is accepted as a “natural antibiotic”, also plays an important role in raising the general body resistance. In this way, quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids are provided to the body. If fish is generally consumed as grilled or steamed, it does not lose its nutritional value during cooking.
Probiotic-rich diet, which is widely known today, should be preferred in flu and colds, as in all infections. For this purpose, yogurt, kefir can be consumed. These products can be further enriched by adding ginger, cardamom or echinacea.
Read: 0
