Influence, what is it?
Influenza is an infectious disease that affects the upper and lower respiratory tract. The infection, very common in the winter season, is caused by three types of viruses (type A, type B and type C), each of which belongs to different variants that mutate and combine with each other, giving rise to a different type of flu every year.
The passage of viruses from one individual to another occurs by air. Coughing and sneezing carry tiny droplets of saliva containing the virus. But contagion can also occur simply by talking to another person or indirectly, that is, by touching contaminated surfaces and then bringing your hands to your mouth.
Influenza is a rapidly spreading disease characterized by an incubation that can last from one to three days. The period during which the person is contagious begins one day before the onset of symptoms and ends about a week later. In children the period of contagiousness may be of longer duration.
Symptoms of the flu
Flu symptoms are not specific, but common to many other viral infections. What distinguishes the real seasonal flu is their rapid and sudden onset and the simultaneous presence of high fever, sore throat and cold.
Musculoskeletal pain, especially in the joints, is another typical manifestation of the disease.
Not only influence
During the winter months there are also many other types of viruses, so-called “parainfluenza”, which generally cause a more nuanced and less aggressive symptomatology than flu viruses; these include rhinoviruses, responsible for colds, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the most frequent cause of serious respiratory diseases in children.
For these reasons it is not always easy to get to the diagnosis of influenza and very often we tend to mistake other colds for flu or to attribute the appearance of symptoms to the ineffectiveness of vaccination.
gOther types of viruses can cause gastrointestinal disorders, typically vomiting and diarrhoea. These manifestations are more frequent in children.
Remedies to cure the flu
Although the basic rule is to give up work and other commitments as soon as symptoms appear, staying at home is not enough. To help thebody defeat the virus, bed rest must be real: taking advantage of sick days to devote oneself to housework is counterproductive, while long sleeps and “dolce far niente” help fight the infection.
The symptoms of the flu can be very debilitating. Fever, muscle aches and breathing problems often leave you without strength.
Antibiotics, however, in this case are not needed, on the contrary, they can be dangerous, because they act on bacteria and not on the viruses responsible for seasonal flu and can further weaken the immune defenses, making the body even more vulnerable to viral action.
If the thermometer indicates a temperature above 38 ° C, antipyretics are very useful to lower the fever.
For their part, NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen or naproxen, which have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, help to lower the temperature and reduce muscle pain.
NSAIDs and other antipyretics are effective, safe, generally well tolerated and widely tested drugs: for this reason they can be purchased without a prescription and used in a context of self-care, with obvious practical advantages especially in the season of colds. Of course, to get the maximum benefits without inconvenience of any kind, you need to learn how to use them well.
The main, well-known, warning about NSAIDs is not to take these drugs on an empty stomach, especially if you tend to suffer from gastric acidity or gastroesophageal reflux disease. To avoid problems, it is enough to eat a piece of bread, a few crackers or a couple of cookies just before taking the tablet or effervescent granules. In the presence of a marked gastric hypersensitivity or in case of other specific conditions, to prevent discomfort you can associate with NSAIDs, on the advice of your doctor, a gastroprotector.
The second key aspect to consider for the correct treatment of fever and other symptoms given by the influenza virus is that you should always follow the dosage indicated on the package insert inserted in the packages or the indications of your doctor. Regarding the duration, as a rule, NSAID therapy can be followed for 4-5 days, usually sufficient period to get back on track. If this is not the case or if the symptoms even worsen (especially on the respiratory front), it is better to consult the doctor immediately for a check-up and further therapies of the case. Complications may have occurred that need to be treated in a targeted manner.
Last key warning: never take antibiotics unless they have been specifically prescribed. Against the flu they are not needed and weaken the body, reducing the chances of eliminating influenza viruses and, therefore, those of healing quickly. When the doctor deems it necessary to take a course of antibiotic therapy, it is advisable to combine the treatment with the intake of probiotic lactic acid bacteria, which help prevent destabilization of the intestinal microflora and the related gastrointestinal discomfort (in particular, diarrhea).
In some cases, and only on the advice of the doctor, antiviral drugs can be taken, but effective only if administered within 48 hours of contact with the virus.
There are also other medications that can help relieve flu symptoms. Let’s see what they can be useful for.
Pharmaceutical category | Benefits |
---|---|
Painkillers | Reduce headache, sore throat and muscle and bone pain |
Antipyretics and anti-inflammatories | Reduce inflammation and fever |
Cough suppressants | Inhibit coughing stimulus |
Nasal decongestants | Reduce mucus production |
Mucolitis and expectorants | Promote expectoration by reducing the viscosity of catarrhal secretions |
Alongside these pharmacological treatments there are grandmother’s remedies, such as warm compresses on arms and legs, which help you feel better. To relax your muscles you can also soak in the bathtub filled with hot water.
Essential oils, such as ginger, with “alleged” anti-inflammatory properties, can also be useful, which can be useful for feverish states. Another way to use fresh ginger is to prepare a hot drink by boiling two slices a few minutes in water and then adding honey and lemon.
The guidelines advise against any “physical” means to lower fever, such as ice packs or cold sponges.
Energy from food and water
A frequent mistake, when you have the flu, is to surrender to lack of appetite. Not eating prolongs recovery time, making recovery from the disease more difficult.
In addition, certain foods help stimulate the activity of the immune system. An example is garlic, to be used in the preparation of food. Chicken broth, on the other hand, could help alleviate respiratory symptoms. To recover quickly, it is also essential to counteract dehydration induced by fever or vomiting and diarrhea.
To replenish lost fluids and avoid worsening an already precarious state of health, it is good to increase the fluids introduced during the day. Drinking water (also in the form of soups) is very important and, indeed, it is recommended to go from about 8 glasses of water recommended when you are well to 10-12 glasses daily.
The fluids can also be taken in the form of juices, juices or centrifuges based on fresh fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, are particularly suitable because they are rich in vitamin C which helps reduce the duration of respiratory symptoms. They also allow you to take some calories useful to recover your strength sooner.
Another way to introduce liquids, in a pleasant way and taking advantage of the beneficial properties of some plants, is to drink herbal teas; In addition to simple chamomile, an infusion of linden and elderberry can help as a nasal decongestant.
Preventing the flu
The flu is a generally benign infection, but in fragile individuals it can cause complications.
The most common flu complications are:
- pneumonia
- bronchitis
- sinusitis
- otitis, especially in children.
These are situations that require specific antibiotic therapy and, sometimes, hospitalization and that are more dangerous in elderly people, children, immunosuppressed individuals and patients with chronic diseases (heart disease, diabetic, asthmatic or subjects with liver diseases).
For these categories of individuals, and for women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the best way to prevent the disease is the vaccine, which must be administered every year in autumn, from mid-October until the end of December.
In fact, contrary to what happens for other infectious diseases, influenza viruses are subject to continuous mutations that make it impossible to identify a unique vaccine.
For healthy individuals for whom the vaccine is not recommended, the prevention of influenza, as well as other diseases, passes from a healthy lifestyle, which includes:
- a balanced diet
- regular practice of physical activity
- adequate and good quality sleep.
In fact, these are behaviors that favor the proper functioning of the immune defenses and therefore the body’s ability to resist virus attacks.
In general, moreover, during the period of maximum spread of influenza viruses, adopting certain behaviors can reduce the number of infections. Among them:
- avoid crowded places
- wash your hands often with soap and water
- avoid bringing unclean hands into contact with nose and mouth
- Take care to cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, better with a disposable tissue
- often change the air of the rooms in which you stay, as well as the classrooms.
Help from supplements
Finally, supplements. To help shorten healing times, you can take multivitamins containing vitamin C or supplements based on echinacea, a plant that contains active ingredients that can stimulate the immune system.
If, despite these measures, the symptoms last for more than three days, it is better to contact your doctor.
Good mood is also essential: being positive and keeping your spirits high can really help you feel better and defeat the virus more quickly.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.