🤧 Influenza (Flu): Causes, Symptoms & Prevention

⚕️ What is Influenza?

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious viral infection that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It spreads mainly through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Unlike the common cold, the flu can cause sudden, severe illness and sometimes lead to dangerous complications.

🔎 Symptoms of Influenza

Flu symptoms usually appear 1–4 days after infection and can include:

🤒 Sudden high fever
😴 Extreme tiredness and weakness
🤕 Headache and body aches
😷 Dry cough
🤧 Runny or blocked nose
❄️ Chills and sweating
🤢 Sore throat, nausea, or vomiting (common in children)

⚠️ Who is at Higher Risk?

While anyone can get the flu, certain groups are more vulnerable:

👵 Adults over 65 years
👶 Infants and young children
❤️ People with chronic illnesses (diabetes, asthma, heart or lung disease)
🤰 Pregnant women
🛡️ People with weak immune systems

🩺 Diagnosis

Doctors usually diagnose flu based on symptoms, but tests may include:

🧪 Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test (RIDT)
🧑‍🔬 PCR test to confirm the virus type

💊 Treatment

Most flu cases improve on their own within 7–10 days, but treatment can ease symptoms:

🛌 Rest and proper hydration
💊 Pain relievers (for fever and body aches)
🧴 Antiviral medicines (like oseltamivir) in severe cases
🥗 Nutritious food to support recovery

❗ Antibiotics do not work against flu because it is a viral infection.

🛡️ Prevention Tips

💉 Annual flu vaccination – the best protection
🧼 Wash hands frequently with soap
😷 Wear a mask in crowded places
↔️ Keep distance from sick people
🏡 Stay home when infected to avoid spreading the virus

🌟 Outlook

For most healthy people, influenza is uncomfortable but not life-threatening. However, in high-risk groups, it can cause serious complications like pneumonia, heart problems, or worsening of chronic diseases. Early prevention and vaccination are the best defenses against flu.

Influenza