What is Flu
Flu or influenza is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system (a system consisting of the nose, throat, and lungs). Common cold symptoms include fever, headache, cough, aches, decreased appetite, and sore throat.Incubation period of flu virus including short. You will experience symptoms only within one to three weeks after first infected. The period in which the most contagious flu is on a day when symptoms begin to appear for another three or seven days.
Step Flu Treatment
You can also take medicine that can be purchased freely in pharmacies to reduce fever and reduce pain and stiffness. You are not advised to take antibiotics because these drugs are only intended for conditions caused by bacteria, while the cause of the flu is a virus.
Flu Complications
Flu rarely causes serious complications. However, the risk of developing complications is quite high among:- Children.
- Pregnant mother.
- Seniors.
- Patients with serious or chronic diseases such as heart failure, lung disease, or diabetes.
- People with declining immune systems, such as cancer and HIV.
Flu Prevention Steps
The flu virus can be transmitted through the saliva released by the patient when sneezing or coughing. In addition, objects that have been contaminated with the flu virus can also be a medium of transmission. The main step to prevent this disease is to maintain cleanliness. Do not forget to wash your hands before eating. For public transport users, it is advisable to wear masks while traveling.
Another flu prevention step is by vaccination. But this method is only recommended for those who are more susceptible to flu complications.
Symptoms of the flu will usually begin to develop within one to three days after infection with the virus. Some of the symptoms that are usually experienced are:
- Fever.
- Pain-stiff.
- Dry cough.
- Headache.
- Fatigue.
- Shivering.
- Sore throat.
- Sneezing, nasal congestion, or runny nose.
- Decreased appetite.
- Hard to sleep.
Most people with flu recover in less than a week. Even so, some people are still coughing or feeling tired for the next few weeks.
You should be alert and consult a doctor if:
- You belong to the category of people who are susceptible to flu complications, such as pregnant women, the elderly, people with chronic diseases (lung or heart disease), and people with decreased immune systems.
- The symptoms of the flu you are experiencing are not at all reduced, the more severe, or it does not go away after seven days.
The flu generally heal without causing complications. However, you are advised to remain cautious because the immune system while suffering from the flu will be decreased so that more easily infected with other diseases. Similarly, people who are more susceptible to complications, such as pregnant women, the elderly, people with immune system declines, as well as sufferers of chronic disease (e.g. lung disease).
A number of common complications are:
The flu generally heal without causing complications. However, you are advised to remain cautious because the immune system while suffering from the flu will be decreased so that more easily infected with other diseases. Similarly, people who are more susceptible to complications, such as pregnant women, the elderly, people with immune system declines, as well as sufferers of chronic disease (e.g. lung disease).
A number of common complications are:
- Lung infection. This type of lung infection are most often experienced by flu sufferers is bronchitis. Bronchitis is an infection in the respiratory tract is the main section called bronchi. In some cases, a more severe complications can occur, for example, is pneumonia (pneumonia).
- A worsening of symptoms of the flu. In people with long-term health problems (chronic) such as asthma or COPD, flu symptoms can be more severe than normal people.
- The increase in blood sugar in diabetics. In addition to the increase in blood sugar, potentially also flu triggered the condition Diabetic Ketoacidosis in people with diabetes mellitus type 1.
- Premature birth. In pregnant women, the risk for influenza infection occurring will increase. The flu can also increase the risk of premature birth or birth weight babies are very low.
In addition, there is some kind of other complications that can also be triggered by the flu. Among them is the swelling of the tonsils (tonsillitis), ear infections, bronchitis, severe dehydration, as well as meningitis.
On person with flu, dehydration also can potentially occur because of a sense of reluctant to drink due to a sore throat and fever that is felt. In addition to adults who have a weak immune system, children are also susceptible to dehydration, especially those aged under two years.