Influenza and colds are among the most common diseases in the winter season.
Influenza and the common cold are among the most common diseases in winter. Although both are viral infections, the common cold draws a mild picture, while the flu (influenza) progresses more severely. Therefore, they should not be confused with each other.
Influenza is an infectious disease that is mostly seen in October-April and causes epidemics that affect the whole world from time to time. It mostly affects children and the elderly, and its course is more severe in patients with additional diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, asthma, chronic bronchitis, liver and kidney failure, obese and pregnant women. Sometimes it may result in death. The cause of death was aggravation of pre-existing disease and acute respiratory failure.
Symptoms; fever, weakness, loss of appetite, burning in the eyes, watering, headache, widespread muscle aches, nasal congestion, cough, pain and burning in the chest, sputum and shortness of breath, vomiting and diarrhea in some people, often seen in children.
Influenza is a contagious disease. Adults are contagious from 1 day before symptoms appear to 5 days after symptoms appear. Infectiousness in children can be more than 10 days. It is transmitted by inhaling the virus in the water droplets that the infected person sneezes or coughs into the air, by the healthy person. Water droplets can stay in the air for two hours and transmit the disease to humans. Therefore, those who work close to each other indoors or students in schools are particularly at risk.
Influenza can usually be overcome by resting at home and drinking plenty of fluids. In addition, antipyretic or antiviral drugs can be used under the control of a doctor. However, if there are symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, change in consciousness, tendency to sleep, continuous vomiting, bruising in the body, high fever lasting longer than 3 days, severe fluid loss, hospital intervention is required. Unnecessary use of antibiotics should be avoided as they are not effective in the treatment.
As a precautionary measure, you should get the flu vaccine to avoid getting sick. Since the protection effect of the vaccine lasts for 1 year, it is necessary to vaccinate again in the autumn every year. personnel, pregnant women (from the age of four months), those who are infected with HIV, those who travel frequently and those who want to be protected from the medical and economic negative effects of the flu.
During the epidemic period, closed and crowded environments should not be entered unless it is necessary, close contact with people with the flu should not be made, and the places should be ventilated frequently. A tissue should be used when coughing or sneezing, otherwise the mouth should be covered with an arm.
Influenza viruses can also be transmitted by hand contact. Therefore, it is necessary to wash the hands frequently and clean the surfaces with detergent water during this period in order to minimize the possibility of contamination with common items such as telephone, remote control, mouse and door handles or by shaking hands.
It is recommended that mothers who have the flu continue to
breastfeed. However, before contact with the baby, it is necessary to wash
their hands frequently and use a mask.