Flu: Know all about flu with home remedies

What is FLU ? 

These are the most common questions related to flu. When we visit a doctor on having cold, we are informed that we have got flu.  Most of the people are actually unaware about the flu.  They mean it as simple as runny nose or congestion. But let us now understand it in an elaborating manner.

Overview: FLU

Flu, also known as influenza is an infectious disease caused by some viruses that attack our respiratory system, mostly the upper tract.  These are a group of influenza viruses.  The disease is so contagious in nature that it can rapidly spread within people through the contaminated air droplets.  

The air we breathe acts as a medium of spread and so such infections are called airborne infection.  Also, the droplets that are expelled when an infected person coughs, speaks or sneezes are loaded with germs or viruses and thus the spread is called droplet infection. 

Anyone who comes in contact with such droplets is at high risk of becoming infected with the pathogen or virus. 

FLU SYMPTOMS:  WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FLU?

ANY INFECTED PERSON STARTS SHOWING SYMPTOMS ONLY AFTER FEW DAYS OF CONTRACTING THE INFECTION. The period between the initial contraction of infection and the first onset of apparent symptoms is known as incubation period. 

The incubation period may be 2 to 3 days post infection. AGAIN IT DEPENDS ON THE GENERAL CONDITION AND IMMUNITY OF A PERSON. 

The flu symptoms usually last for few days to a week.  A FLU-infected person usually shows the below noted symptoms;

• Fever, a high grade fever is a major sign of FLU.
• Fever with/without chills/rigors.
• Cold, running nose.
• Dry/wet cough and sore throat.
• Headache.
• Nasal congestion due to cold.
• Feeling of general weakness and fatigue.
• Body Aches/pains. 

Many people do not even feel they have flu infection and exhibit no apparent symptom other than runny nose.  In some people, flu symptoms are so mild that it resolves in its own.  Most of the viral diseases such as Flu are virus-caused and they resolve in few days or week but in some cases, the persons infected are at high risk and they have more apparent symptoms that need medical attention.

Symptoms of flu are also seen in Covid-19 infection but there are still differences like the causative agents are not the same as well the severity and other features of symptom appearance are varied.  See more on Covid-19 infection/Corona virus.

How do we know that we have got infected with FLU/common cold?

COMMON COLD

• Common cold is generally a symptom of flu which is characterized by runny and congested nose. 
• It takes a few days and progresses slowly before it turns out as a clinical manifestation.  
• Not all common cold are infectious.  It can be a seasonal or allergic response of the nose. 
• Home remedies prove to be very beneficial in common cold.

FLU

• FLU, on the other hand is a kind of acute or rapid infection that appears with sudden onset and is accompanied by other symptoms also.
•  It is infectious/contagious in nature and spreads rapidly from one person to another.  
• The symptoms of flu are seen more worse than the common cold and it is usually treated with medications and prophylactic vaccine shots are recommended for the prevention. 
• Home remedies may or may not be useful in bringing down the fevers.

WHAT ARE THE FLU-CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS INVOLVED?

Flu is caused by Influenza group of viruses; there are mainly three types:

Influenza A,Influenza B, and Influenza C

The occurrence of the flu infection in different regions involves the different kinds of virus responsible for the infection.  

The risk factors involved are:

The climate and region. Some geographical areas are more prone to influenza virus infection than others. These are the high-risk areas. For eg. Countries with humid climates.

Seasonal changes. Some flu-infections are most common in winter or cold climate. 

Lack of hand hygiene: the spread of virus through contaminated hands.  The pathogens may stick to the hands when an infected person covers the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, using his hands.  This can spread germs or pathogens onto another person if they both shake their hands or the infected person touches some objects. 

Lack of social distancing. Going to crowded places may increase risk of getting flu infection.

Who is at risk for FLU?

1. Kids and especially infants as well as under five children are at high risk of infection.
2. Pregnant women
3. People with co-morbidities such as asthma, diabetes, other illnesses.
4. People with compromised immunity.
5. People who smoke.
6. People who are elderly/senior citizens due to low tolerance and weak immune system.
7. People who travel more to distant countries or regions.
8. People who are obese may also be at risk.

Is it possible to prevent yourself from the flu infection?

The answer is yes.  We all can prevent ourselves from getting flu infection by following simple precautions in our day-to-day life.  

Adapt healthy lifestyle: 

 Eat a well-balanced diet and healthy diet. It maintains body strength and keeps immune system functioning well and active.

Use of face masks and face covers while in crowded places.

Exercise daily or at least twice a week to maintain normal BMI and keep your body healthy and stress-free as well as free from infections.

Adapt hygienic measures:

Hand hygiene plays a vital role in preventing any kind of infection. So make sure to wash hands frequently to ensure your hands remain germ-free.  Most of the contagious diseases spread through touch of contaminated hands and so it becomes essential to practice safety and hand hygiene to reduce the chances of spreading infection to oneself or others.

Try to cover your nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing using the elbow cover or a clean handkerchief or napkin. This reduces the amount of droplets being spread in the air.

Maintain effective social distancing measures while in crowded places. This aids in protecting from the spread of infection. 

Avoid touching eyes with bare hands.  Infected hands can spread the infection to eyes which can cause eye infection with symptoms such as red/pink eye (conjunctivitis), eye pain and watering of the eye with discharge.

Use sanitizer to clean the hands more often.  It kills the germs present on the palms and helps prevent spread/transmission of infection. 

What are the treatments and/or remedies to combat the infection?

Treatment of FLU:

In more than half of the cases the symptoms subside on their own and the person starts feeling better without medications. 

However, if the symptoms are unbearable or more severe, it is recommended to visit the physician at the earliest.  

Especially in case of the babies and children, it is best not to delay and seek the medical attention as soon as possible. 

Doctors treat the flu as per the symptoms. It means a symptomatic treatment is prescribed. 

Antipyretics for fever, analgesics for headache and general body aches, multivitamins for weakness. 

As antibiotics offer no evident benefits, antiviral medications are prescribed to treat the severe FLU infection. 

Home remedies/tips:

• Take rest.  Rest is the important as it helps your body to relax and avoid any exertion that would demand use of energy. Doctors also recommend bed rest. 
• Keep yourself warm and relaxed.  Use warm blankets and sleep in a warm place.
• Have warm beverages such as ginger tea or pepper tea.  It helps in nasal congestion and relieves the soreness of the throat.
• Apply natural balms and eucalyptus oil on the forehead. It helps in relieving the headache.
• Steam inhalation with saline water or Vicks vaporub helps in relieving the soreness and nasal congestion. 
• Humidifiers help in maintaining the moisture of the airways thus reducing the nasal irritation and soreness. 

Note:  This information is for educational purpose only.  It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment.