Volume 9, Number 3 SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE HEALTH & WELLNESS SERVICES December, 2004
INFLUENZA
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus. It attacks the respiratory tract (nose, throat and lungs). The flu is not the same as the common cold. The symptoms of flu are usually more severe, come on quite suddenly and may include these symptoms:
Fever Body Aches
Headache Nasal Congestion
Fatigue Sore Throat
Dry Cough
These symptoms are commonly referred to as “flu-like symptoms.” Outbreaks of flu occur nearly every year, usually in winter and often affect many people at once. Your respiratory illness might be the flu if you have a sudden onset of the above symptoms during November through April. However, during this time, other respiratory illnesses can cause similar symptoms and flu can be caught at any time of year.
Many people use the term “stomach flu” to describe illnesses with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. These symptoms can be caused by many different viruses, bacteria, or even parasites. While vomiting, diarrhea and being nauseous or “sick to your stomach” can be sometimes related to the flu – particularly in children – these problems are rarely the main symptoms of influenza.
The virus that causes flu is spread from person to person by direct droplets that are coughed or sneezed into the air. The virus enters the nose, throat or lungs of a person and begins to multiply, causing symptoms of influenza. Less often influenza may be passed when a person touches a surface that has flu viruses on it. A person can spread the flu starting one day before she feels sick and can continue to do so for three to seven days after symptoms start. Symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body. Some persons can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons can still spread the virus to others. Anyone can get the flu, even healthy people.
Most people who get influenza will recover in one to two weeks, but some people will develop more serious complications, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections, as a result of the flu. People age 65 years and older, people of any age with chronic medical conditions, and very young children are most likely to get complications from influenza.
Influenza is caused by a virus, so antibiotics don’t work to cure it. The best way to prevent the flu is to get a influenza vaccine each fall, before flu season. Additionally, your friends and classmates would appreciate it if you used disposable tissue, covered your mouth and/or nose when you cough or sneeze, and washed you hands frequently. When you get the flu here are some things to try:
Rest – set priorities or at least slow down from your usual routine. This allows your body to put all its energy into getting well.
Drink plenty of liquids – Your body needs extra liquids to replace those lost during a cold or flu. Have six to eight glasses a day of water, juice or other mostly clear liquids. That would include chicken soup. Hot soup can help unclog nasal passages by increasing the flow of nasal mucus. Avoid using alcohol and tobacco.
Take medications to relieve the symptoms of the flu – Don’t over medicate. Treat only the symptoms you have. For sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes, reach for an antihistamine. To unstuff your nose, go for a decongestant. Nasal sprays are also effective, but don’t use them for more than three days or you may end up feeling all stuffed up again because of the rebound effect. For a cough, try cough drops, cough syrups or lozenges. Relieve a dry nose with a swipe of petroleum jelly around, under and slightly inside your nostrils. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can reduce your fever or achiness. Read and follow directions – just because they’re sold without a prescription doesn’t mean they’re harmless.