Influenza is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. Invades us very often during the winter months. Usually strikes suddenly, and strong expressions, and quickly spread to the upper and sometimes the lower respiratory tract. The basic symptoms include:
fever,
headache,
excessive fatigue,
cough,
sore throat,
muscle pain,
vomiting or diarrhea (more common in children).
To make things worse
Complications of flu can be very serious. Sinusitis can occur, therefore, sinusitis, middle ear infections, dehydration and viral or bacterial pneumonia. Illness can also significantly worsen some chronic condition - such as diabetes or asthma. Very serious, then problems are not confined to the respiratory system. They include muscle inflammation (myositis), problems with the central nervous system and the heart - you can go specifically to a heart attack or inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or its packaging (pericarditis). And who are the most vulnerable to these complications?
Older people over 65 years.
Children up to 4 years.
Adults and children with heart or lung disease.
People with compromised immune systems.
Pregnant women.
Especially watch out for the lungs!
Pneumonia or pneumonia status is generated so that the influenza virus to penetrate into the lungs, or may be an overlying bacterial infection in this organ. It may take up to two weeks, children and elderly people, and sometimes even longer ends and hospitalizations. Pneumonia is manifested as chills or sweats, fever, pain in the chest, increased heart rate and cough with expectoration green up bloody mucus. If the inflammation of bacterial origin, symptoms may paradoxically improve at first, but then strikes again as high fevers and worse trouble breathing. If you have a cough that does not stop, shortness of breath or chest pain, it is better to consult a doctor. This may prescribe antibiotics which however occupy only bacterial inflammation, viral pneumonia are inactive.
How all survive
First of all, do not try to pass the flu. If you are properly treated, the less risk of complications. If you become ill, you should within 48 hours to contact their doctor and consult with him on how to proceed. But there are a few general tips on how to handle the first symptoms:
Several days a naordinujte bedrest.
Take in plenty of fluids.
Engage more foods or supplements with vitamin C, which strengthens immunity.
Put a teaspoon of honey - propolis contains a substance that releases phlegm.
Antipyretic and pain can fight with OTC analgesics.
Effective prevention is vaccination then carried out by the practitioner. Regular or special vaccination is especially recommended for people more at risk of complications - ie persons older than 65 years, patients with serious diseases of the circulatory or respiratory system, diabetes or immune disorders.
Source: Treatment bolesti.cz