What is the flu?
The flu is an infection that can cause fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, and weakness. Its causative agent is a virus. The most common type of flu is "seasonal" flu. The medical term for the flu is "Influenza." There are two main subtypes of influenza: Influenza A and Influenza B.
What are the other types of flu?
In addition to seasonal flu, bird flu and swine flu have also caused outbreaks. The symptoms of both diseases are similar to those of seasonal flu, including high fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body or muscle aches, fatigue, headache, eye redness, and difficulty breathing. The flu currently seen is seasonal flu.
What are the most common flu symptoms?
Flu symptoms usually appear suddenly. If a patient has fever, muscle pain, or cough, the flu should be suspected first.
- Fever (temperature higher than 37.8ºC)
- Extreme fatigue
- Headaches or body aches
- Muscle pain
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
What is a cold?
Many viruses can enter your nose, mouth, throat, or lungs and cause a cold. Cold and flu are two different illnesses.
What are the symptoms of a cold?
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
In children, a cold can also cause a fever. However, in adults, a cold usually does not cause fever. The illness typically resolves on its own within a week.
How can I tell if I have a cold or the flu?
Some symptoms of a cold and flu are similar, but there are also some important differences. Fever, headache, and muscle pain are common in flu cases. The flu is also known as the "rag disease," and patients may find it difficult to move and struggle with daily activities (walking, work, cleaning, cooking, etc.). In cases of a cold, patients generally do not have difficulty with daily tasks. The most common complaints are runny nose, nasal congestion, and sore throat, and fever is usually absent.
Is the flu dangerous?
Most people recover from the flu without any problems. However, some individuals may develop pneumonia, which can lead to respiratory failure requiring intensive care, and the illness can be fatal. Flu complications are more common in individuals with underlying chronic diseases and those with suppressed immune systems. Therefore, it is important to take precautions against the flu.
At-risk groups for the flu:
- Individuals aged 65 and older
- Very young children
- Pregnant women
- Those with diseases like diabetes or heart failure
What should I do if I think I have the flu?
If you think you have the flu, stay at home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. Foods rich in vitamin C can be consumed. You can also take acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) to relieve fever and pain. Do not give aspirin or medications containing aspirin to children under 18. In children, aspirin can lead to a serious condition called Reye's syndrome. Most people with the flu recover on their own within 1 to 2 weeks.
If you have the following symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest or abdominal pain or pressure
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe vomiting
If you decide to go to a clinic or hospital due to the flu, inform them of your symptoms upon entry. This way, they can take precautions to prevent you from spreading the illness to others. Staff may ask you to wear a mask or wait in a location where you are less likely to spread the infection. Do not go to work or school when you have the flu. Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze to prevent spreading the illness. Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands.
Can the flu be treated?
Yes, antiviral medications are used to treat the flu. These medications can help resolve the illness more quickly, especially if taken within the first two days. Your doctor will decide if antiviral treatment is necessary. Antibiotics are ineffective against flu viruses. Unnecessary use of antibiotics can kill sensitive bacteria in the body, leading to secondary (superinfection) infections.
What if I am pregnant?
Flu can be very dangerous for pregnant women. If a pregnant woman has flu-like symptoms, she should definitely consult a doctor. The flu can be more severe in pregnant women and can even lead to the death of the mother or the baby. Pregnant women can receive the flu vaccine.
Flu vaccine
The most effective known way to protect against the flu is vaccination. The vaccine can prevent complications related to seasonal flu, such as pneumonia and hospitalization. The flu vaccine reduces mortality rates.
The flu vaccine is prepared based on the strains of the flu that are most commonly seen a year prior, as recommended by the World Health Organization. The vaccine is not a live vaccine; it is an inactive vaccine and does not cause the flu when administered. The flu vaccine should be given in October-November but can also be received until March. The vaccine provides protection for that year and must be repeated annually.
Possible side effects at the vaccination site include pain, redness; generally mild fever and malaise may also occur. Vaccination is not recommended for infants under six months old, those with egg allergies, individuals with severe life-threatening allergies to any vaccine component, and those who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within six weeks of a previous vaccination.
Who should be vaccinated?
In principle, the flu vaccine can be administered to anyone who does not have contraindications and wants to receive it.
Recommended groups for the flu vaccine include:
- Children under 5 years old (especially under 2 years old) (from 6 months onwards)
- Adults over 65 years old
- Pregnant women
- Residents of nursing homes
- Individuals with chronic health issues:
- Chronic pulmonary diseases (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis)
- Cardiovascular diseases (excluding isolated hypertension)
- Kidney diseases
- Liver diseases
- Blood disorders (including sickle cell anemia)
- Endocrine diseases (such as diabetes mellitus)
- Metabolic diseases (such as genetic metabolic disorders)
- Individuals with neurological or neurodevelopmental disorders (including brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle diseases, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, stroke, mental retardation, growth and developmental delays, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injuries)
- Individuals with weakened immune systems due to illness or medication (such as cancer, long-term steroid use, HIV)
- Individuals under 19 years old who have been on aspirin therapy for a long time
- Morbidly obese individuals (Body Mass Index >40)
- Health care workers
- Caregivers and individuals living with those defined as at-risk for the flu (including children)
