Influenza or Seasonal Flu

1. Definitions

What is the flu?

Flu, or influenza, is a respiratory disease transmitted by influenza virus. Flu can cause mild to severe pain. Very severe cases of flu can result in hospitalization (hospitalization), even death. Some people, including seniors, children, and patients with certain medical conditions are more susceptible to the risk of flu complications. The best prevention that can be done is to get a flu vaccine every year.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Keep in mind that the flu is different from the colds. The flu usually comes suddenly. Signs and symptoms of flu that you should consider, namely:

Fever or cold heat
Cough
Sore throat
Colds or nasal congestion
Headache
Tired
In some cases, flu patients complain of vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children).

2. How to overcome them

What should I do?

The flu virus can be easily transmitted from each other only by a distance of 2 meters. Many health experts argue that the flu virus transmission comes from aerosols (tiny airborne fluids) generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits. These saliva granules can be inhaled or attached to the people around them. Not infrequently, a person catches the flu virus after touching a surface or an object exposed to the virus exposure, then touching their nose or mouth afterwards.

To avoid contagion, the infected person should as much as possible avoid the people around him and rest at home if necessary. It is important to always wash your hands frequently with water and antiseptic soap. Or, sterilize hands with alcohol-based cleansers. Do not share sheets and cutlery with a person infected with the flu before washing the goods. Similarly, goods at home, school, or office are often touched by many people. Clean and sterilize any surface with a disinfectant cleaner.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any alarming signs of the flu, immediately visit the nearest emergency room. If you have the flu and are susceptible to other flu complications, contact your doctor for consultation. If you have ever visited the ER and you are not infected with the flu at that time, you should still check. You may catch flu from people around the flu.

The alarming signs of the flu in children:

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
The skin is blue
Less fluid in the body
Difficulty waking up or interacting
Fussy until they do not want to be picked up
Flu symptoms increase and high fever and severe cough develop
Fever followed by a red rash

Call medical help immediately when your baby shows the following symptoms:

Do not want to eat
Difficulty breathing
Crying but not out of tears
Less frequent bed wetting than usual

The alarming signs of the flu in adults:

Breathlessness or difficulty breathing
Chest pain or chest feels depressed
Dizzy all of a sudden
Dazed
Throws up
Flu symptoms increase and high fever and severe cough develop

3. Prevention

Prevention of flu is done by administering an annual influenza vaccine (injectable vaccine or inhaled medication). That way, you will be more immune to seasonal flu and lower the risk of transmission to people. The more people vaccinated, the less chance the virus can spread.

Influenza or Seasonal Flu