Recently, on the TV news, you can see the most frequent flu-related reports in winter. What are the differences between flu and cold? How can I prevent and treat the flu? Let me tell you today~
What are the differences between flu and cold?
“Am I a cold? Or do I get the flu?” This is a question that most people often have.
Because cold and flu have many similar symptoms, it is not easy to judge directly from the patient’s symptom.
But the biggest difference between the flu and the common cold is that the symptoms of flu usually appear suddenly, and most patients will have symptoms such as high fever, headache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue.
What is the flu?
Influenza, or flu for short, is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus.
The symptoms of flu, the most common symptoms are high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, cough, and tiredness.
Patients usually develop symptoms 2 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms usually heal within a week to two weeks, but cough symptoms may last for more than two weeks.
Possible complications of influenza include viral pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia, sinus infection, and other diseases that worsen (such as asthma or heart failure).
Three main types of flu
Influenza A
It causes the most severe symptoms and high antigenic variability. Large mutations may occur to produce new virus strains, which may easily cause pandemics worldwide. Physical discomfort is more intense.
Influenza B
It causes milder symptoms than influenza A, and the variability of antigens is more stable, mainly due to regional epidemics. Diarrhea and muscle aches are more intense.
Influenza C
Symptoms are more mild or even asymptomatic, and influenza is less likely to develop.
The causative agent of colds may be as many as hundreds of different viruses, while influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses.
The flu is prone to very obvious symptoms such as headache and fever, physical fatigue, and muscle aches.
The symptoms of flu are more sudden, and the time it takes for the flu to fully heal is longer than that of the common cold. It takes about 1-2 weeks or more than 2 weeks to fully recover. If the flu is not treated in time, it may cause a variety of complications and even death.
Once infected with the flu, it is inevitable for a few days of painful course, and even face the risk of severe flu.
Therefore, the prevention and treatment of influenza are particularly important.
The reason why the influenza virus can continue to pose a threat to humans is mainly that the virus will produce mutations, which is not so easy to prevent comprehensively.
Even people who have been infected with the flu may re-infect the newly mutated flu virus without immunity.
And when most people have no immunity, a national pandemic will occur.
Some patients may judge the symptoms by themselves, or take antibiotics, but antibiotics are not helpful for the treatment of influenza.
Because the main cause of influenza is a virus, so if symptoms of suspected influenza appear, please go to the doctor for treatment.
Why do you get flu? Which ethnic groups should pay special attention to?
The main way of infection of flu is through droplet infection: coughing and sneezing are both ways of spreading. The virus usually enters the body through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes.
Special attention must be paid to the fact that influenza can infect anyone, especially school-age children, and the elderly are the second.
However, serious complications leading to death often occur in the elderly, infirm, or infants.
Once the flu season is high, especially younger babies and young children are more likely to cause serious complications and make parents very uneasy.
When children are infected with the flu, they sometimes have different symptoms than adults.
For example, newborns and babies are prone to a high fever of more than 39.5°C, and young children occasionally experience vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, ear pain, etc., and many children suffer from muscle soreness in some parts. To an inability to act.
Therefore, parents can make a preliminary judgment from these conditions. If a child has a flu infection, they should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
They should never be taken lightly or give their children medication.
How to treat flu?
When you begin to notice flu-related symptoms, you should first measure your body temperature, and immediately go to the nearest clinic or hospital that has assistance for quick screening.
Seek medical treatment
The quickest and most necessary treatment method is to seek professional medical treatment and obtain treatment drugs related to the treatment of influenza.
The current common medicines are oseltamivir and zanamivir.
Full rest
Only when you rest can you have time to repair your body, and you must reduce the risk of being infected by other bacteria when you go out.
Add water
Because flu can cause fever symptoms, drinking plenty of water can prevent dehydration, and help to help reduce fever.
Food intake during flu
Ingest berries
Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries and other berries have always been good partners in antioxidants. Among them, the antioxidant effect of blueberries can be said to be the first. Taking a blueberry every day can not only relieve cold symptoms, but also Good fruit for beauty.
Ingest vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C
e.g. Bell peppers, kiwis, and broccoli are rich in vitamin C. Studies have shown that when the body lacks vitamin C, it causes a decline in immunity and makes people more susceptible to illness.
Vitamin C supplementation can help avoid respiratory infections or slow down symptoms.
Drink chicken soup
Chicken soup contains ingredients that boost the body’s immune system. The American Medical Center has confirmed that chicken soup is very effective in preventing colds and flu, and hot chicken soup can also help relieve nasal congestion.
Garlic intake
Garlic contains the active ingredient allicin, which can fight infections and bacteria.
How to prevent the flu?
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and wash your hands frequently.
- Wear a mask to go out
- Do not share tableware with others.
- Try not to go to crowded places.
- Get the flu vaccine.
- Exercise more, improve body metabolism, and increase immunity.
- Maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water.
There are also friends around me who have influenza A. Listening to his statement that his flu symptoms are also from high fever and body aches, even coughing and coughing to the sore throat, I feel really hard.
Conclusion
I hope everyone can do preventive treatments, exercise more, drink more water, wear masks when going out, protect themselves, and protect others.
The most important thing when you get home is to wash your hands first. In this season of flu, I hope everyone can be healthy and not affected by the flu.