MindMap Gallery Flu (Influenza)
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Flu (Influenza)
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Edited at 2020-09-25 07:19:24
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Flu (Influenza)
What is flu?
Flu is a respiratory illness that spreads from person to person. It can cause mild to severe illness.
Serious outcomes of flu can result in hospitalization or death.
Some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk of serious flu complications.
Causes
Flu is caused by a virus that is spread from person to person. It causes seasonal epidemics each year.
Symptoms
Flu symptoms can occur suddenly.
fever (not everyone with flu will have a fever)
cough
body aches
sore throat
runny or stuffy nose
headache
chills
fatigue
sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
Complications
Most people who get flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks. But some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death.
Moderate complications
sinus infections
ear infections
Possible serious complications
lung infection (pneumonia)
inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscle
organ failure (for example, respiratory and kidney failure)
sepsis, which can be deadly
When to Seek Medical Care
In children:
fast breathing or trouble breathing
bluish lips or face
ribs pulling in with each breath
chest pain
severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)
dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)
not alert or interacting when awake
seizures
fever above 104°F
in children less than 12 weeks old, any fever
fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
worsening of chronic medical conditions
In adults:
difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse
seizures
not urinating
severe muscle pain
severe weakness or unsteadiness
fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
worsening of chronic medical conditions
High-risk Group:
young children
children with neurologic conditions
pregnant women
adults 65 years and older
anyone with these conditions
asthma
heart disease
stroke
diabetes
HIV/AIDS
cancer
Treatment
Your doctor might prescribe antivirals drugs for flu.
These drugs can make you better faster and may also prevent serious complications.
Antiviral drugs need to be taken within 2 days of your first flu symptoms.
If you are in a high-risk group and develop flu symptoms, you need to contact your doctor when you first notice flu symptoms.
Remind them about your high-risk status for flu.
Antibiotics Won’t Help
Antibiotics won’t help if you have flu.
When you have flu, antibiotics will not help you feel better. Antibiotics won’t help you, and their side effects could cause harm.
Side effects of antibiotics can range from minor issues, like a rash, to very serious health problems, such as
antibiotic-resistant infections, which are difficult to treat and cure
C. diff infection, which causes severe diarrhea that can lead to severe colon damage and death.
If you use over-the-counter medicines, take them as directed.
Remember, over-the-counter medicines may provide temporary relief of symptoms, but they will not cure your illness.
Over-the Counter Medicine and Children
Be careful about giving over-the-counter medicines to children. Not all over-the-counter medicines are recommended for children of certain ages.
Pain relievers:
Children younger than 6 months: only give acetaminophen.
Children 6 months or older: acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be given.
Cough and cold medicines:
Children younger than 4 years old: do not use unless specifically directed by a doctor. Use of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in young children can result in serious and potentially life-threatening side effects.
Children 4 years or older: discuss with your child’s doctor if over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are safe to give to your child for temporary symptom relief.
Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist about the right dosage of over-the-counter medicines for your child’s age and size.
Also, tell your child’s doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines they are taking.
Prevention
The best way to prevent flu is by getting vaccinated with the flu vaccine each year.
Other ways to avoid flu:
Try to avoid contact with sick people.
If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue,
throw it in the trash and
wash your hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu.