Every year during the autumn and winter, most people suffer from this viral infection. Influenza, also called the flu, is an infectious respiratory infection, seasonal and of viral origin. It usually starts as early as October and lasts as late as May.
Symptoms of Influenza
Influenza is mainly characterized by a sudden onset of high fever accompanied by muscular and joint pains and general fatigue. Other symptoms include a dry cough, sore throat, running nose, and headache.
Treatment
If there are no severe complications, the disease lasts a few days without the need for medical treatment.
Antiviral drugs are a treatment option that shortens the time you’re sick by one or two days. Only people at high risk should be taking them, such as kids and people over 65 years of age.
How to Avoid It
Influenza is transmitted through coughing and sneezing and has an incubation period of 1 to 4 days. Infection also occurs through direct contact with infected people such as kissing and handshakes. Highly frequented places, such as public transportation and shopping centers, are conducive zones for the spread of this virus.
Avoiding all these situations and/or washing your hands after contact will reduce your chances of catching the flu.
Vaccine Against Influenza
You can do your part and avoid spreading the flu. Influenza vaccination is a procedure done annually that will keep you healthy and avoid you spreading the disease. Other measures you can take are the following:
- Limit direct contact with people at risk, especially those aged 65 and over, pregnant women, people with certain chronic diseases, and infants, or wear a surgical mask in their presence.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or with a hydroalcoholic solution, especially after any contact with the patient.
- Adopt healthy sneezing techniques such as covering your mouth and nose with a handkerchief.
- Finally, relatives of the elderly must be vigilant about their state of health.
