FLU ? ? Are you sure or just a cold ?

Posted on March 24, 2014 by john in Health care

We started an era that infections such as colds or flu is the most common disease, it is a infection that is practically impossible to avoid, wherever you are there is always someone around, breathing or sneezing which makes it very difficult to avoid germs. So all we can do is try to keep your immune system in top form during this period.

The flu is a virus so antibiotics are not the most appropriate treatment to cure, although drugs to relieve symptoms.

Really the only way to identify influenza is analytic in a laboratory, there may specifically diagnose the type of flu also, bird flu, swine H1N1, Type A…

It is very important to identify the flu to prevent it becoming a pandemic and infect more people, which flu might affect more or less to your overall health.

The FDA, American in its website ( http://www.flu.gov/ ) specifies flu have posted a very interesting to learn more about the flu questionnaire.

http://espanol.pandemicflu.gov

What are the symptoms Influenza ?

Fever or febrículas, albeit in very low temperature fever.
Having cough or sore throat.
Runny or stuffy nose.
Headaches or muscle aches throughout the body in general.
Chills and sweats.
Tiredness.
Loss of appetite.
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than in adults.
Some people with the flu can present without fever.
What symptoms are found in the cold ?

The symptoms of colds are similar but softer, and develop more slowly.
Fever is usually lower than the flu.
Runny or stuffy nose.
Sore throat.
Coughing and sneezing.
Fatigue and headache.
Watery eyes.
How can we protect our other cold or flu ?

When sneezing or coughing is recommended covered with a tissue and then throw it.

It is important to wash hands with soap and water or an alcohol based often especially after coughing or sneezing, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, avoiding spreading germs.

Avoid contact with other people especially people over 65 and people with chronic illnesses (asthma, diabetes, heart problems ) pregnant women, young children and babies.

Drink plenty of fluids, water, broth, electrolyte drinks to avoid dehydration.
When to see a doctor ?

If you experience difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
Note pressure in the chest or abdomen.
Have sudden dizziness or feel confused, with or without symptoms of dehydration.
Has significant vomiting or is persistent and can not keep liquids down.
When symptoms recur as fever or cough more severe form.
Or produce convulsions.
How is the flu treated?

The flu is usually treated with drugs that treat the same symptoms and can be purchased without a prescription.

Analgesics :
Relieve pain and reduce fever, acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.

Cough suppressants and expectorants :
The first help stop coughing, syrup or lozenges and second, help loosen mucus so removing it improves.

Decongestant nasal sprays :
Reduce congestion by its vasoconstrictor action, but should not be used in children and in adults reduced time

Nasal decongestants and oral antihistamines :
These products act continuously preventing the mucus out of the nose, so you do not need to be continually dreaming of handkerchief.

Antiviral drugs :
These are sold only by prescription and must be the doctor who has to tell you if you should take.
Usually prescribed persons is especially dangerous flu suffer for their chronic problems or the development of the disease occurs especially virulent.

Or oselatmivir Tamiflu, Relenza or zanamivir and.
How can we effectively prevent the flu ?

The usual recommendations, washing hands often, avoid contact with sick people avoiding the spread of germs.

A healthy lifestyle, such as exercising, getting enough sleep, eat healthy, help prevent influenza because it stimulates the immune system.

Although the best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine.

Ideally put it in story is available in the fall (October and November), but also it can be put in any time during flu season ( December, January and beyond).

The vaccine is available by shot or nasal spray (not available in Spain ).

Vaccines work by exposing your immune system to the flu virus. So your body will develop antibodies to the virus to protect against the flu.

The injectable flu vaccine contains the killed virus.

The nasal spray vaccine contains live but weakened virus.