Main
- Flu starts acutely: the temperature rises sharply, chills, aching in the muscles and joints, and a severe headache appear.
- Infection occurs by airborne droplets when coughing, sneezing and talking, as well as through contaminated hands and objects.
- Children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases of the heart or lungs are more severely ill, they need special medical supervision.
- If there is difficulty breathing, blueness of the lips or confusion, an ambulance must be called immediately.
- The main prevention is vaccination before the seasonal rise in incidence, as well as hand washing and ventilating rooms.
What is flu
Influenza is an acute viral infection that affects the respiratory tract and causes marked weakness and a high temperature. The disease is easily transmitted from person to person and can be severe in children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases.
What happens in the body
Influenza viruses enter the upper respiratory tract and attach to the cells of the mucous membrane of the nose and pharynx. Inside the infected cell the virus multiplies and gradually destroys it, and new particles come out. The immune system recognises the foreign particles and launches a response aimed at destroying them. This response is accompanied by a rise in body temperature, chills, and aching in the muscles and joints. The mucous membrane of the respiratory tract becomes inflamed and swollen, which causes a runny nose, a sore throat and a dry cough. Marked weakness and exhaustion persist even when the temperature has already gone down. During the illness it is worth resting more and drinking enough fluids to help the body cope with the strain.
What causes it to develop
- Influenza viruses: the causative agents of the infection, which penetrate the cells of the respiratory tract and trigger the disease.
- Airborne transmission: infection occurs when coughing, sneezing and talking, when particles with the virus enter the air.
- Contact with a sick person: close communication with someone who is ill noticeably increases the likelihood of infection at home and in a group setting.
- Seasonal rise in incidence: in the cold season cases of the disease become more frequent, and the virus spreads more actively.
- Staying in crowded places: on transport, in offices and other crowded places the virus quickly passes from person to person.
- Contaminated hands and objects: touching the face after contact with them can also lead to infection.
Who encounters this more often
Influenza is encountered more often by children, the elderly and those who have chronic diseases of the heart or lungs. In children the immune system is still developing, so infection occurs more easily and the illness can drag on. In the elderly the body's defences are reduced, and the course of the disease is often more severe. Chronic diseases add strain on the body and make recovery after the infection more difficult. The risk is higher in those who work in groups, use public transport and are often in crowded places. In the cold season the number of those who fall ill grows, and the virus spreads faster in enclosed spaces. People from risk groups should pay closer attention to their condition and not carry on with the illness on their feet. If marked weakness and a high temperature appear, it is sensible to stay at home and seek medical help.
What symptoms can there be?
Influenza is recognised by its sudden onset and a combination of signs, not by a single symptom. It is important to distinguish in time the usual course from a condition that requires urgent help.
How it is noticed at the very beginning
Influenza begins acutely: a person notices that the temperature rises sharply, chills and aching in the muscles and joints appear. A severe headache and pronounced weakness are often felt more strongly than a runny nose or sore throat, which may fade into the background. Because of this, the first hours of the illness are often put down to ordinary fatigue after a working day or lack of sleep. The person lies down to rest, hoping that by the evening it will get easier, but the condition continues to worsen. A dry cough joins later, when the general intoxication is already pronounced. In children and elderly people the illness may manifest differently, so unusual behaviour or worsening of the condition is a reason to show the patient to a doctor. If a loved one has suddenly become weak and their temperature has risen, one should not wait until morning to decide on help.
Signs that occur most often
- High temperature: a sharp rise at the onset of the illness, which is noticeable before the other signs and persists against a background of general weakness.
- Chills and aching in the body: a feeling of cold and soreness in the muscles and joints, because of which it is difficult to find a comfortable position.
- Severe headache: a pressing sensation in the head that intensifies with movement and does not pass after rest.
- Pronounced weakness: a sharp loss of strength, when usual tasks are difficult and one wants to lie down.
- Dry cough: appears against a background of intoxication and often without sputum production in the first days of the illness.
- Sore throat and runny nose: may be present, but often fade into the background compared with the temperature and aching.
When to seek help urgently
Examinations and tests
Examination for influenza is needed to confirm the virus and to notice complications in time. The doctor relies on the complaints, the examination and data on the incidence around.
How the examination begins
Examination for influenza begins with a doctor's appointment, during which the doctor collects the complaints and examines the patient. The doctor clarifies when the fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain and dry cough appeared. He looks at the throat and nose, listens to the breathing and checks whether there are signs of difficulty breathing. Separately, the epidemiological situation is clarified: whether there were contacts with sick people, whether there are cases of influenza in the surroundings. On the basis of the complaints, the examination and this information, the doctor can already make a preliminary diagnosis. To clarify it, he may prescribe a laboratory test of a swab from the nose or throat. If the course is severe or complications are suspected, additional examinations are added, for example a chest X-ray or blood tests. Come to the appointment with the history of the illness: this helps the doctor to understand the situation faster.
What is prescribed and what it shows
What is worth preparing for the appointment
- History of the illness: write down when the fever rose and how the well-being changed by days, so that the doctor sees the whole picture.
- List of complaints: list in order the cough, runny nose, headache, weakness and muscle pain, without omitting anything.
- Information about contacts: recall whether you communicated with people with similar symptoms, this is important for assessing the epidemiological situation.
- Previous results: take recent tests and discharge summaries, if you have them, they will help the doctor to compare the indicators.
- Questions for the doctor: write down in advance what you want to clarify about your condition and further steps, so as not to forget at the appointment.
Which doctor should I see?
This section explains which doctor to consult for flu, what happens at the first appointment and what areas of care it involves. Below are guidelines for choosing a specialist and understanding how monitoring of the condition is organised.
Which specialist manages this condition
Flu is managed by a physician (therapist), and if necessary an infectious disease specialist and a paediatrician are involved. The therapist manages adults with a typical course and decides whether the help of an infectious disease specialist is needed. The infectious disease specialist is involved in severe cases or high risk of complications, when a more focused assessment of the condition is required. The paediatrician monitors children, in whom the course of the illness and tolerance of symptoms differ from adults. If a specialist is not available nearby, start with the therapist at your place of residence: they will examine you, assess your symptoms and, if necessary, refer you further. At the first appointment, the doctor clarifies when the symptoms appeared, how the condition has changed and what chronic diseases the person has. Examination and questioning help to understand whether additional monitoring is required and which areas of care are appropriate. Write down in advance what is troubling you and for how long, so that the appointment is well organised and unhurried.
What treatment consists of
- Bed rest and rest: reducing the load helps the body cope with the illness and reduces the risk of worsening well-being when trying to carry on with it on your feet.
- Plenty of warm fluids: maintains water balance at elevated temperature and eases the general condition, so it is worth drinking often and in small portions.
- Antipyretic medicines: used as prescribed by the doctor, who takes into account symptoms, age and concomitant diseases, and not only temperature readings.
- Antiviral therapy: possible when indicated, as determined by the doctor, especially in severe cases or high risk of complications; it is not started independently.
- Monitoring of the condition: regular assessment of well-being allows deterioration to be noticed in time and help to be sought promptly, without waiting for severe manifestations.
What depends on the patient themselves
Regular monitoring of one's condition is the part that largely rests on the person themselves. If the temperature persists longer than expected, shortness of breath appears or weakness increases, this must be reported to the doctor rather than waited out. Notes on when the temperature rose and how well-being changed help the doctor assess the course of the illness more accurately. Following bed rest and drinking fluids requires discipline, because improvement in well-being is often perceived as a reason to return to usual activities. Premature exertion can lead to deterioration and prolong recovery, so it is better to keep a calm pace. If the doctor has prescribed monitoring or a follow-up appointment, it is important to come at the agreed time, even when you feel better. How smoothly recovery proceeds depends on how consistently the person follows the recommendations and reports changes.
What helps prevent an exacerbation?
Flu prevention largely depends on a person's own everyday decisions. Below are the habits, observations and regular visits to the doctor that reduce the risk of a severe course of the illness.
What changes in habits
The main prevention of flu is vaccination, which is carried out before the start of the seasonal rise in incidence. The vaccine reduces the risk of a severe course of the illness and the development of complications, so it is worth planning in advance, without waiting for the number of cases around you to grow. Frequent handwashing with soap removes the pathogen from the skin after being outdoors, on transport and after touching shared objects. Avoiding close contact with sick people reduces the chance of catching the virus in the family, at work and in crowded places. Ventilating rooms reduces the concentration of the pathogen in the air, especially where many people gather. Following respiratory etiquette — covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing — protects those around you and the person themselves. At the first signs of illness, it is better to stay at home, so as not to infect those around you and not to carry on with flu on your feet.
What should be kept under control
- Vaccination: the flu vaccine is given before the seasonal rise in incidence, so that by the time the number of cases grows, the body has already formed protection.
- Hand hygiene: washing hands after being outdoors, on transport and after contact with shared surfaces noticeably reduces the transfer of the pathogen to the face and mucous membranes.
- Contact with sick people: close communication with a person who has signs of illness increases the risk of infection, so such communication is better reduced.
- Ventilation: a regular flow of fresh air in the flat and at the workplace reduces the concentration of the pathogen in the room.
- Respiratory etiquette: covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing protects those around you and reduces the spread of infection in a group.
- Early seeking of help: at the first signs of illness it is sensible to stay at home and, if necessary, contact a doctor, rather than carrying on with the malaise on your feet.
How often to see a doctor
Regular check-ups with a doctor are needed even when you feel well and nothing is troubling you. Planned visits allow you to discuss vaccination in advance before the seasonal rise in incidence and to clarify whether there are any reasons to postpone the vaccine. If a person falls ill often or has a severe course of flu, the doctor helps to work out which habits and conditions contribute to this. During such visits, chronic conditions that make the course of the illness more severe can also be discussed. When the first signs of illness appear, a visit or contact with a doctor is not postponed, so as to get help in time. Such monitoring does not replace everyday habits, but complements them and helps you act more calmly. A sensible schedule is planned visits before the season and seeking help at the first signs of illness.
What is worth remembering
Influenza remains an infection that many people carry on their feet and therefore underestimate. Below are the conclusions that help make a balanced decision and not harm yourself.
Main conclusions
Influenza differs from a common cold in that it starts abruptly and immediately knocks you out of your usual rhythm. A person notices chills, muscle aches and weakness before the temperature has time to rise. With influenza, it is not so much the days of illness themselves that are dangerous as the complications that develop against the background of a weakened body. People with chronic diseases of the heart, lungs and with metabolic disorders should be especially careful. If the condition worsens, shortness of breath or chest pain appears, a visit to the doctor cannot be postponed. Carrying influenza on your feet is risky: it increases the load on the heart and prolongs recovery. It is worth relying on simple things — rest, plenty of fluids and timely seeking help.
