What is the flu? Why is it common?
The flu is an epidemic disease caused by viruses that generally affects society during the winter months. The causative agents of the illness commonly referred to as flu in society are often viruses from the influenza group. For this reason, the disease is also called influenza. However, since viruses from other groups can also cause this disease, this term is not always accurate. This contagious disease frequently causes outbreaks during the winter months and leads to increased secretions in the upper respiratory tract, mild fever, and joint and muscle pain. The course of the disease may vary depending both on the type of virus causing the outbreak at that time and the person’s immune status.
What determines flu symptoms?
The disease may be transmitted as a community infection and begin rapidly, producing symptoms in the person a few days later. This outbreak may present only as a runny nose or may follow a more widespread course. The progression caused by the relevant viruses differs during each outbreak period. If it presents only as a runny nose, it is the mildest form and is popularly called a “common cold.” Sometimes it may affect the entire upper respiratory tract and, rarely, the lungs as well (lower respiratory tract). For the vast majority of individuals infected during influenza outbreaks, rest at home and supportive outpatient treatment are sufficient. At this stage, the primary aim is to prevent transmission to healthy individuals. If influenza spreads to the lower respiratory tract, namely the lungs, it may develop into a superinfection in which bacterial infections are added. Since this condition may be dangerous, especially in elderly individuals and those with weakened immune systems, hospitalization for monitoring and treatment is essential.
Is COVID a type of influenza?
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is caused by strains of the Influenza A, B, and C groups that change each year. COVID is caused by a different type of virus (coronavirus group orthomyxovirus). Both groups of viruses can cause very similar symptoms in many people. However, coronaviruses have caused more progressive and life-threatening conditions even in otherwise healthy individuals, particularly during outbreak periods. In other words, the two groups consist of different viruses, and their progression and transmission rates differ. It is accepted that infections caused by the coronaviruses responsible for COVID generally follow a more aggressive course.
What are the symptoms of the flu and how does it progress?
The flu (influenza) spreads through the dispersal of droplets carrying live viruses that cause the disease into the environment as a result of coughing and sneezing. Flu outbreaks are generally seen more frequently at the beginning of winter (October–November) and at the beginning of summer (March–April). Influenza virus infections, which hold a special place among infectious diseases, are known to cause more widespread outbreaks at intervals of 1–3 years, to have been observed for 400 years, and to affect 350 million people worldwide each year.
Symptoms of the flu appear suddenly within one or two days after contracting the virus. Common symptoms include fever (38–41°C), headache, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, and muscle pain.
The importance of the disease lies in its ability to cause serious complications in people at risk of infections, those with immune system deficiencies, the elderly, and individuals with significant health problems. While most people who contract the disease recover within one or two weeks, secondary illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, and middle ear infection may develop in 5–20% of patients. In developed societies where the proportion of the elderly population is increasing, the number of deaths related to the flu is also rising. Therefore, early diagnosis is of great importance in monitoring and treating high-risk and elderly patients who may be affected by influenza-related complications.
The flu and the common cold are diseases with different causes whose symptoms are often confused. Since the clinical findings mentioned above may also be seen in illnesses such as upper respiratory tract infections, the common cold, and bronchitis, distinguishing between “flu” and a “flu-like upper respiratory tract infection” is done in practice based on the patient’s complaints and examination findings. The virus can be isolated to diagnose influenza infection, but this is not performed in practice. Since culturing viruses requires special systems and takes a long time, it may not contribute effectively to the patient’s treatment. The types of viruses grown in cultures are identified, outbreaks are monitored, and this information is used in the preparation of vaccines.
What is good for the flu?
The flu is a contagious disease caused by the influenza virus and is characterized by symptoms such as fever, weakness, and muscle pain. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and supporting the recovery process. Methods that are good for the flu include:
- Drinking Plenty of Fluids: Water, herbal tea, and soup help maintain the body’s fluid balance.
- Rest: Adequate sleep and rest are essential for the immune system to function effectively.
- Vitamin C: Fruits such as oranges and lemons support immunity.
- Warm Shower and Steam: The body relaxes and the airways open.
- Antipyretics: Medications such as paracetamol may be used under a doctor’s supervision to control high fever.
- Nutritious Foods: Foods rich in protein and vitamins, such as chicken soup, accelerate recovery.
How is the flu diagnosed?
In many patients, diagnosis based on clinical findings is sufficient, and detailed testing is not required. However, advanced examinations may be necessary in those with progressive symptoms.
Today, ELISA kits that provide rapid results are widely used in the diagnosis of the flu. With rapid diagnostic kits, the presence of Influenza A and B viruses can be detected within one or two hours in throat secretions, nasopharyngeal swabs, nasal secretions, and sputum. However, routine diagnostic testing for a flu infection is not performed because it is not practical.
How should the flu be treated?
What are flu medications?
In flu treatment, rest at home is generally sufficient to prevent its spread within the community. To reduce the symptoms of the disease, painkillers and fever reducers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may be used either as single-agent tablets or in combination with various molecules that reduce discharge. Flu infection medications sold in pharmacies under various commercial names are available in tablet form or as powders mixed with water. The important point here is that people with blood pressure and heart rhythm problems should prefer pure paracetamol or ibuprofen instead of these combinations. In addition, non-combination ibuprofen products should be preferred in breastfeeding mothers. During this period, in addition to various supportive and symptom-oriented flu tablets, nasal sprays, lozenges, and plenty of fluids are recommended.
When should I use supportive treatment?
In flu treatment, various herbal medicines or teas are also recommended, especially plenty of Vitamin C and Vitamin D. Natural herbal teas such as echinacea, Ginkgo biloba, ginger, and linden are also beneficial as supportive treatment. However, these supportive treatments strengthen the immune system rather than curing a newly developed viral infection. In other words, consuming them as part of the general diet before contracting the disease is protective. Their effects on an infection that has already started are quite limited.
Do I need to use antibiotics?
In the treatment of the flu (influenza), antibiotics are not effective and are often used unnecessarily. Unnecessary antibiotic use causes bacteria to develop resistance, delaying the treatment of some infections and increasing treatment costs. However, antibiotics should be used when secondary bacterial infections such as sinusitis, pneumonia, and middle ear infection develop as the disease progresses.
Should I start antiviral treatments immediately?
When a viral infection begins, starting antiviral drug treatment immediately is not recommended except in risk groups. However, if the condition progresses rapidly and begins to cause respiratory distress, starting virus-killing (antiviral) drug treatment within the first 48 hours is highly beneficial.
Four different antiviral drugs (Amantadine, Rimantadine, Zanamivir, and Oseltamivir) are frequently used for flu treatment. When antiviral medication is started within the first two days of the infection, the symptoms of the disease are milder. These medications must only be used upon a doctor’s recommendation and under medical supervision. The use of Aspirin is not recommended in children and young people who have the flu. Aspirin may cause the very rare but dangerous “Reye’s Syndrome.” Instead of Aspirin, rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and medications that relieve symptoms should be preferred.
What should I pay attention to for prevention?
Droplets that contaminate the area around the mouth and the hands during coughing and sneezing play an important role in the spread of the infection. Therefore, keeping the hands clean by washing them frequently is the most important method of prevention. In addition, people with the flu taking medical leave and staying away from shared workplaces will protect other employees. During rest at home, it is important to avoid contact in order to protect other household members. For this purpose, the use of masks, hand sanitizer, and isolation from healthy individuals is recommended.
Are flu vaccines effective?
It is important to be vaccinated before the flu season to protect against the disease. However, because the frequency of flu infections caused by different strains has increased, vaccination does not always provide protection during winter. Considering vaccine complications and side effects, I do not routinely recommend flu vaccination to my patients except for consuming plenty of Vitamin C during winter (orange-grapefruit juice, etc.), apart from risk groups.
Flu vaccines must be administered to risk groups. Vaccination is beneficial for young children, those over 65 years of age, and people with chronic diseases such as asthma, heart failure, diabetes, and cancer. Vaccination of hospital employees is also recommended to prevent hospital-acquired infections.
In summary:
Prevention is the aim in viral outbreaks that occur in winter and are referred to as the flu. The main elements of prevention are hand hygiene and avoiding contact. In addition, isolating the person with the flu from society and general supportive treatments are beneficial. However, progressive conditions must be monitored carefully, and additional medical treatment may be required.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Flu and the Common Cold:
Is orange juice beneficial during the flu?
In fact, taking Vitamin C alone during the active period does not produce a rapid effect. These vitamins are important for human immunity, but the immune system is not related only to Vitamins C and D. There is a general view that taking these vitamins during flu periods may be effective in reducing the disease.
Should I get a flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is not recommended except for risk groups. The main risk groups are elderly individuals and those with weakened immune systems, COPD patients, people receiving chemotherapy, and patients with kidney failure.
Is COVID a type of flu?
The term flu refers to outbreaks caused by influenza viruses during winter. These are viruses from the Orthomyxovirus group. The causative agent of COVID belongs to another group of viruses (Coronavirus).
What are the names of the best flu medications?
The most important factors in the flu are prevention and hygiene. Influenza medications only reduce and relieve symptoms such as fever, nasal discharge, and fatigue. This group of medications and their equivalents are sold on the market under different names and are fundamentally quite similar. However, the flu medication that each person prefers and finds more effective differs. In addition, sprays that reduce nasal discharge and throat sprays are beneficial in helping the person experience the viral infection more comfortably.
How many days of medical leave are needed for the flu?
During influenza outbreaks, it is recommended not to go to work from the day the symptoms begin until the day they start to decrease. An average of 3–5 days is sufficient for this period. In addition, wearing a mask for 3–5 days after returning to work is recommended to prevent transmitting the flu to your coworkers.
Are the flu and the common cold the same?
A condition that presents only with a runny nose and is not allergic is popularly called a “common cold.” It usually does not require medication. Generally, only a nasal spray is sufficient.
The flu is a somewhat more severe condition and lasts longer. The flu presents with symptoms such as headache, sore throat, cough, and mild fever. The combined use of anti-flu or antiviral medications is beneficial.
