What is flu? Its a viral respiratory illness caused by influenza virus. Symptoms: High Fever, runny nose, cough, body ache, tiredness, headache, diarrhea/ vomiting. Highly contagious, one can spread it 1 day before they got sick to 7 days after. Fever can last from 2-7 days.
Complications: mainly small children and elderly patients, get coughing with breathing problem. Mainly due to flu pneumonia or association with other bacterial infections.
Common cold: Viral infection other than by influenza virus. Mainly present as runny nose, sore throat and cough
Season: From late October to early March is a time frame when most of people get sick from flu or other viruses.
Why in winter? Its a myth that flu is caused by cold temperature. Cold is only favoring factor, but it is caused by a influenza virus.
- Influenza virus survive longer on surface in cold & dry temperature. they love cold and dry weather.
- Lack of sunlight or staying more indoor decrease our immunity( ability to fight infection)
- Lack of fresh air circulation in house due to closed door and windows cause high possibility of spread of infection from one to another.
What helps to avoid flu?
- Stay warm and hydrated
- Use Humidifier
- Go out in sunlight
- Open doors and window for few minutes during day time every day
- Flu vaccine: Helps to avoid complications of flu, it takes a week or two to get its effect. So take flu shot early in cold season.
- Frequent hand washing and covering mouth while coughing help decrease its spread
Who need treatment with antivirals?
High risk individuals, Children<5 years or people>65 year, people with diabetes, heart disease or asthma. Antivirals shortens course of disease by couple of days and may help prevent complications/ hospitalization
Weather its influenza or corona virus or other respiratory virus, not all the people who get exposed get symptomatic. Why? because they had flu vaccine/ they are more active, hydrated and stay more in sunlight or in area with good fresh air movement. This is true with any virus or bacteria. Get vaccine if available, and stay in sunlight with fresh air circulation.
Other sources of reading:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm
http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2014/the-reason-for-the-season-why-flu-strikes-in-winter/
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/pregnant.htm
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