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What did u do at Christmas or at New Year's Eve?
Nothing. Unfortunately, I was lying in bed with a high fever and a tough cold. Im still recovering.


That is the most common answer you hear this winter.
It seems no body escaped from Influenza virus, especially that vaccines couldn't be delivered and were destroyed due to July's blockade and hosilities.
We will give you an overview on the subject and as much as possible some exhaustive information about Influenza's symptoms, prevention and treatments.
So for those who just recovered or are still suffering from the virus, we say: " Get Well SOON ", and for those who managed till now to escape from it: " GOOD luck ". !!!
The flu is a contagious infection of the nose,throat, and lungs caused by the influenza virus. In humans, common symptoms of influenza infection are fever, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, muscle pains, sever headache, coughing, weakness and fatigue.


Flu and common cold:
Sometimes confused with the common cold, influenza is a much more sever disease and is caused by a different type of virus.

How can I tell if I have a cold or the flu?
Cold and the flu cause many of the same symptoms. But a cold is generally mild, while the flu tends to be more severe.
Cold often starts with feeling tired, sneezing, coughing and having a runny nose. You may not have a fever or you may run a low fever just 1 or 2 degrees higher than usual. You may also have muscle aches, a scratchy or sore throat, watery eyes and a headache.
Flu starts suddenly and hits hard. You'll probably feel weak and tired, and have a fever, dry cough, a runny nose, chills, muscle aches, sever headache, eye pain and a sore throat. It usually takes longer to get over the flu than a cold.

Know how the Flu Spreads:
Flu usually spreads from person to person in respiratory droplets when people who are infected cough or sneeze. People occasionally may become infected by touching something with influenza virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.
Healthy adults may be able to infect others 1 day before getting symptoms and up to 5 days after getting sick. Therefore, it is possible to give someone the flu before you know you are sick as well as while you are sick.
Anyone at any age can have serious complications from the flu, but those at highest risk include:
- People over 50
- Children between 6 months and 2 years
- Women more than 3 months pregnant during the flu season
- Anyone living in a long-term care facility
- Anyone with chronic heart, lung, or kidney conditions, diabetes, or weakened immune system.

Symptoms:
Fever (may be high), headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, stuffy and congested nose, muscle aches and stiffness.
Other symptoms may include:
Nasal discharge, shortness of breath, wheezing, croupy cough, chills, fatigue, malaise, sweating, loss of appetite, vomiting, dizziness, worsening of underlying illness, such as asthma or heart failure ...

Protection against the FLu:
The single best way to protect yourself and others against influenza is to get a Flu vaccination each year. October or November is the time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as springtime.
The following additional measures can help protect against the flu.


Habits for GOOD HEALTH:

These steps may help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as the flu:
- Cover you nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- If you get the flu, stay home from work, school, and social gatherings. In the way you will help prevent others from catching you illness.
- Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way.


What to do if you get sick?
Diagnosing the Flu and Antiviral medications.

Other Tips:
If you get the flu,get plenty of rest, drink a lot of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco. Also, you can take medications suck as acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve the fever and muscle aches associated with the flu. Never give aspirin to children or teeagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever.
In most individuals who are otherwise healthy, the flu goes away within 7 to 10 days.

Complications:
Possible complications, especially for those at high risk, include:
Pneumonia, encephalitis ( infection of the brain ). bronchitis, sinus infections, ear infections ...


Source: Declic Magazine