Are you sure you have the flu? How to recognize an infection

Autumn is in full swing,  and besides the beauty of falling leaves and pleasant rainy evenings by the fire, autumn brings with it less pleasant but touching things: colds. Children massively skip classes, adults take sick days, and very often we hear the phrase “I got the flu” from friends, acquaintances and colleagues, not even suspecting how wrong they are in their words. There are a lot of colds and their pathogens, and people mistakenly call any cold the flu. In fact, influenza is a specific infectious disease that has pathogens characteristic only of it, manifests itself with specific symptoms of influenza and requires special methods of treatment and prevention. How to Know if You Really Have the Flu and Not Any Other Cold –

Influenza viruses: everything you need to know about them

Influenza is an acute infectious disease with periodic epidemic spread, and is characterized by damage to the upper respiratory tract with the development of symptoms of tracheobronchitis, intoxication of the body and fever. The causative agents of this disease are influenza viruses of the genera Influenzavirus A, B and C, of ​​the Orthomyxovirus family. Each type of influenza virus has its own characteristic features that affect the nature of the disease. Influenza type A virus is the most widespread and contagious, the influenza epidemic caused by these types of influenza virus occurs every 1-2 years, people, birds and some mammals are sensitive to it. Influenza type B virus is slower and more gradual, epidemics of this influenza virus occur every 3-4 years. Influenza C virus infects humans and pigs

Why flu epidemics can occur

Influenza epidemics usually occur in autumn and winter, last up to 6 weeks and cover about 40% of the population of the affected region. The source of the pathogen is a sick person; in some cases, animals can also spread influenza pathogens. The greatest susceptibility to the influenza virus is observed in children aged 1 to 14 years, which plays a key role in the emergence of an epidemic focus in organized children's groups. Pathogen transmission mechanism – airborne, you can also become infected by contact, through door handles, dishes, hygiene items, and so on. An interesting fact is that when the influenza virus first enters the human body, antibodies are produced in response to it. And subsequently, when other types of influenza virus enter the human body, antibodies will be produced in response to the type of virus that entered the body for the first time. Thus, influenza viruses can mutate and enter the body in this form without causing an immune response. This fact explains the high likelihood of epidemics and pandemics of the influenza virus.

What flu symptoms will help you understand that you have this particular infection

The fact that you fell ill with the flu, and not another cold, will be indicated by its characteristic clinical picture, in which two main syndromes are distinguished: intoxication and catarrhal. Intoxication syndrome with the influenza virus is characterized by symptoms of general intoxication of the body, such as severe headache, weakness and chills. The specific symptoms of the flu are body aches,  pain in the muscles and sometimes in the joints, pain when moving the eyes, lachrymation and fear of light. Body temperature from the first hours of the disease rises to 38.5-40 ° C, and remains so for 2-5 days, then quickly normalizes.  Catarrhal syndrome is manifested by the following flu symptoms: the appearance of a rough dry cough, dryness and discomfort in the throat, nasal congestion. A characteristic symptom of the flu is a scratching pain behind the sternum. Gradually, the cough becomes wet, and after 7-10 days it disappears. Rhinorrhea or nasal discharge is not a characteristic symptom of the flu, slight serous or mucous discharge from the nose may occur only in some cases. Thus, flu symptoms such as muscle pain, fever, dry cough, and chest pain will indicate that you have this particular infection. If you have a severe runny nose, low temperature and symptoms of damage to other organs and systems – an infection of another etiology should be considered.

slight serous or mucous discharge from the nose may occur only in some cases. Thus, flu symptoms such as muscle pain, fever, dry cough, and chest pain will indicate that you have this particular infection. If you have a severe runny nose, low temperature and symptoms of damage to other organs and systems – an infection of another etiology should be considered.

slight serous or mucous discharge from the nose may occur only in some cases. Thus, flu symptoms such as muscle pain, fever, dry cough, and chest pain will indicate that you have this particular infection. If you have a severe runny nose, low temperature and symptoms of damage to other organs and systems – an infection of another etiology should be considered.

When to call a doctor if you have flu-like symptoms

The influenza virus is a rather insidious virus, and in severe cases, the disease can lead to serious complications, up to brain damage. It is important to understand in what situations it becomes dangerous to treat an infection on your own, and you need to urgently consult a doctor. In accordance with the severity of the symptoms of influenza, there are three degrees of its severity:

• with mild severity, the symptoms of influenza are not pronounced: the body temperature does not exceed 38 ° C and normalizes in 2-3 days. Outpatient treatment allowed;
• with a moderate infection, the symptoms of influenza are more pronounced: the body temperature rises to 39 ° C and remains within these values ​​for about 4-5 days. Outpatient treatment is allowed only after the obligatory consultation of a competent doctor;
• in severe infections, flu symptoms are very pronounced. Characterized by febrile body temperature, significant weakness and muscle pain, dizziness, loss of consciousness, hallucinations, nausea and repeated vomiting, earthy skin tone, shortness of breath and the appearance of meningeal symptoms. When the first signs of a severe course of infection appear, outpatient treatment is categorically contraindicated! It is urgent to hospitalize the patient to the nearest medical facility and provide him with qualified medical care.

The prognosis for the influenza virus is favorable for the patient: the most common severity of the influenza virus, and with effective and timely treatment, the symptoms of influenza completely disappear, and complete recovery occurs.