What Are The First Stages Of The Flu
When you get the flu, youre actually already contagious even before you start experiencing any symptoms. Youll feel fine for even 48 hours, but then the flu symptoms start coming. Over the course of several hours, youll start feeling worse and worse with a headache, a sudden fever, body aches, chills, and fatigue. These symptoms are the most common initial ones.
During this initial stage, you may realize youre sick, and you should speak with a doctor about it. Flu medication is most effective during this initial stage. Also, its important to bear in mind that flu- and cold-like symptoms could actually be symptoms of another condition like a more serious viral infection, and the flu and viral infections are very contagious. With this in mind, its best to stay home and seek telecare from a clinic like ours.
What Are The Symptoms
Influenza symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat, extreme tiredness and cough. Children may also experience nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Although infections from other viruses may have similar symptoms, those due to the influenza virus tend to be worse.
Symptoms can begin about 1 to 4 days, or an average of 2 days, after a person is first exposed to the influenza virus. Fever and other symptoms can usually last up to 7 to 10 days, but the cough and weakness may last 1 to 2 weeks longer.
Can The Flu Shot Make You Sick
A common misconception is that the flu shot makes you sick. The CDC asserts that the flu shot cannot give you the flu. At worst, you may feel a few minor side effects a few days after receiving your vaccination. This is because flu shots are made either with no virus at all or with an inactivated virus, meaning it is not infectious.There are a few side effects some people encounter after a flu shot, which are described below, but these are minor and will subside on their own. The reality is that even if you do experience side effects from a flu shot, they are much less severe than the effects of contracting the virus itself.
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The Best Treatment Methods For Flu
Most treatment plans for flu patients target the unpleasant symptoms they are experiencing. In addition to treating the symptoms, however, antiviral drugs designed especially for the purpose of fighting the influenza virus could also be used to help the body in fighting the infection.
Current antiviral drugs for influenza that has been approved by the FDA include oseltamivir, peramivir, and zanamivir, which are sold under the trade names of Tamiflu, Rapivab and Relenza, respectively. These medications, save one, are provided to the patient for around five days. The exception is Peramivir, which is a once-off drug that is administered to the patient intravenously.
Baloxavir marboxil, trade name Xofluza, is also approved, but only for patients older than 12 who have been symptomatic for 48 hours or less.
Several home remedies can also be used to provide relief to flu patients. Rest and maintaining hydration should be at the top of the list of these homeopathic options. In addition, it is very wise for tobacco users to consider giving up smoking at least until the symptoms have cleared up.
What Are The Stages Of The Flu
Flu symptoms usually start within one to four days after infection. Unlike a common cold, the effects of an influenza virus infection can come on very suddenly.
The first signs of the flu are often a fever or chills, accompanied by headache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, and fatigue.
As the illness progresses, a person may have warm, flushed skin, watery or bloodshot eyes, a severe cough that produces phlegm, and nasal congestion. Nausea and vomiting may also occur, especially among children, according to the Merck Manual.
A bout of the flu typically lasts for several days or occasionally weeks, with severe symptoms subsiding in two to three days. However, weakness, fatigue, dry cough, and a reduced ability to exercise can linger for six to eight weeks.
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How Does The Flu Shot Work
Researchers predict which flu virus will be most prominent in the upcoming flu season. The flu vaccines are created to fight off these specific strains of the flu. Because there is no way to make an exact prediction, sometimes the flu vaccine is a partial match for that years strain.Even if the flu vaccine is not a perfect match for this year’s flu strain, a partial match can still give you some important protection, says Laurie Endicott Thomas, MA, ELS, and . She explains that you may still experience flu-like symptoms, but it can significantly reduce the risk of being hospitalized or fatality from the flu.
Even if the flu vaccine is not a perfect match for this year’s flu strain, a partial match can still give you some important protection.
When you get a flu shot, your body goes into action to ward off against it. A flu shot encourages the recipient to create antibodies. These antibodies protect the body against infection of the vaccine virus.
How Is The Flu Treated
Most kids with flu get better at home. Make sure your child:
- drinks lots of liquids to prevent dehydration
- gets plenty of sleep and takes it easy
- takes acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve fever and aches. Don’t give kids or teens aspirin because of its link to Reye syndrome.
- wears layers that are easy to remove. Kids might feel cold one minute and hot the next.
Children with the flu should stay home from school and childcare until they feel better. They should go back only when they haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours without using a fever-reducing medicine. Some kids need to stay home longer. Ask the doctor what’s best for your child.
Doctors may prescribe antiviral medicine for a very ill child or kids are at risk for more serious symptoms. The medicine can shorten the flu by 12 days. It works best if children start taking it within 48 hours of the start of the flu. If a doctor prescribes antiviral medicine for your child, ask about any possible side effects. Doctors won’t prescribe antibiotics for the flu. Antibiotics work only against bacteria, not viruses.
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Articles On Flu Management
You’ve been home sick a couple days, and there’s only so much daytime television you can take. You’re ready to go back to work.
But common colds and the flu are very contagious. There are millions of cases of these upper respiratory infections every year. And colds are the biggest reason kids miss school and adults miss work.
If you’ve been sick with a cold or flu, how long are you supposed to stay home, and when should you go back to your everyday routine?
Don’t Forget Your Flu Shot Protect Yourself And Others This Flu Season
The flu isnt like the common cold, it can hit quickly and last for weeks. For some people, the flu can have serious and devastating outcomes. Its important everyone in the community plays their part in helping stop the spread of flu.
Our message is simple: Don’t forget your flu shot. Protect yourself and others this flu season.
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When Should I See A Health Care Provider
Consult your health care provider early if you develop flu-like symptoms and you have a condition that puts you at higher risk of complications.
You should also call your health care provider if your symptoms get worse, such as shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chest pain or signs of dehydration .
How Much Does Getting A Flu Vaccine Cost
Most people can get a flu vaccine for little to no out-of-pocket cost. Medicare and most private health insurance plans will cover the cost of your flu vaccine. However, some insurance plans require that you receive your vaccine at a specific location. Check with your insurance company. If you do not have health insurance, contact your local or state health department.
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Is It Flu Or A Cold
It can sometimes be difficult to tell if you have flu or just a cold, as the symptoms can be quite similar. The main differences are:
Flu symptoms:
- usually include fever and aching muscles
- make you feel too unwell to continue your usual activities
Cold symptoms:
- come on gradually
- mainly affect your nose and throat
- are fairly mild, so you can still get around and are usually well enough to go to work
Staying Safe And Stopping The Spread Of The Flu
We’ve learnt a lot about staying safe and healthy in the last year, but the seasonal flu is still a concern and the best way to prevent it is by getting your flu shot
In the past year we’ve learned a lot about how to stay safe and stay healthy.
We know to wash our hands properly and sanitize often to stay home.
If we don’t feel well and to keep our distance from others but even with these precautions, the seasonal flu is still a concern and the best way to avoid it is to get your flu shot.
Remember to make sure it’s at least two weeks apart from your covert 19 vaccine to truly protect yourself and the people you love this flu season.
Don’t forget your flu shot authorised by the Victorian Government Melbourne.
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Is The Flu Shot Necessary
You are by no means forced to get a flu shot. However, health professionals highly recommend it. A common misconception, particularly among those ages 18 49, is that you dont need a flu shot. Studies have found this age group is the least likely to get vaccinated. Those ages 65 and older are the most likely to get their flu shot.Influenza vaccination is important even for healthy people, Thomas says. Many people think the flu is a minor illness. However, even a healthy young person can have a severe reaction to this infection. When sick or elderly people get the flu, they may die of additional complications, such as bacterial pneumonia.
Influenza vaccination is important even for healthy people.
Anyone, even those with strong immune systems, can get the flu. Even if you think dont need a flu shot, getting one can help prevent you from transmitting the flu to others. The more citizens who get their flu shot, the less risk there is for the entire community.
The Flu Shot And Covid
An important update regarding timing between receiving the flu and COVID-19 vaccines for all Victorians including those most vulnerable in our community.
The original recommended timing between receipt of the 2 vaccines was a preferred minimum interval of 2 weeks .
Based on the latest medical advice the preferred minimum interval between vaccinations for COVID-19 and the flu is now 7 days.
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How Long Does The Flu Last 14 Flu Faqs Answered
When the winds blow colder and the days grow shorter, you know that flu season is imminent. Its the sickness we dread with each doorknob we touch and each time we hear a coworker cough.In the spirit of flu season, were here to answer some of your most pressing questions about the virus: How long does the flu last? Is there any way to prevent it? Do you really need a flu shot?We spoke with medical professionals and consulted the holy grail of health care, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , to answer all of your flu FAQs. Keep reading to hear how you can protect yourself and your family this flu season.
For Adults And Older Children
Adults and older children typically experience diminished appetite while sick with stomach flu.
Even if you feel hungry, avoid eating too much too soon. You shouldnt eat solid food at all while youre actively vomiting.
Once you start to feel better and your nausea and vomiting stop, opt for foods that are easy to digest. That can help you avoid additional stomach irritation.
A bland diet, such as the BRAT diet is a good one to follow while you recover. The starchy, low-fiber foods in the BRAT diet, which include bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, help firm up stool and reduce diarrhea.
Choose a low-fiber bread and sugar-free applesauce. As you start to feel better, you can add other easy-to-digest foods such as plain baked potatoes and plain crackers.
While youre recovering, avoid things that might irritate your stomach or that might trigger additional bouts of nausea or diarrhea, including:
- fatty or greasy foods
- hard-to-digest foods, such as beef
- dairy products
Reasons to call the doctor for toddlers and children include:
- distended stomach
- severe, explosive diarrhea
- severe vomiting
- fever that doesnt respond to treatment, lasts more than 24 hours, or is over 103°F
- dehydration or infrequent urination
- blood in vomit or stool
Adults and the elderly should seek medical treatment if their symptoms are severe and last more than three days. Blood in vomit or stool also warrants a doctors care. If youre unable to rehydrate, you should also seek medical help immediately.
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How Long Does Flu Last And Is It Serious
If you have flu, you generally start to feel ill within a few days of being infected.
You should begin to feel much better within a week or so, although you may feel tired for much longer.
You’ll usually be most infectious from the day your symptoms start and for a further 3 to 7 days. Children and people with weaker immune systems may remain infectious for longer.
Most people will make a full recovery and won’t experience any further problems, but elderly people and people with certain long-term medical conditions are more likely to have a bad case of flu or develop a serious complication, such as a chest infection.
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How Long To Stay Home
Experts generally agree that it’s best to stay home as long as you have severe symptoms, like a cough with mucus, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or fatigue, because you may be contagious. And the CDC recommends staying home at least 24 hours after your fever goes away unless you need to leave the house for medical care or other urgent reasons.
Also, rest is an important part of getting over any illness, so there’s another reason to take it easy while you feel sick.
How quickly you recover from a cold or the flu depends on how healthy you are. In general, healthy people usually get over a cold in 7 to 10 days. Flu symptoms, including fever, should go away after about 5 days, but you may still have a cough and feel weak a few days longer. All your symptoms should be gone within 1 to 2 weeks.
When you go back to work or school, make sure to cover your mouth when you cough and wash your hands often so you don’t spread the illness to other people.
These viruses can develop into serious illnesses like pneumonia in people who have weak immune systems, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. So if you have a chronic illness, your healing time may be different.
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Using Antiviral Medicines To Prevent The Flu
Two antiviral medicines can help prevent the flu caused by influenza A and B viruses. These medicines may also reduce the length of the illness if they are given as soon as possible after the first symptoms. During a flu outbreak, these medicines may be given at the same time as a flu vaccine and for 2 weeks after while your body produces antibodies to protect you from the virus.footnote 5 The influenza medicines are usually given to people who are very sick with the flu or to those who are likely to have complications from the flu. But they may also be used for a person who has been sick with the flu for less than 48 hours. These medicines are taken by mouth or inhaled into the lungs .
The antiviral medicines amantadine and rimantadine have been used to prevent flu caused by influenza A. But for the past few years the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised doctors not to use these medicines to treat or prevent the flu. These medicines have not worked against most types of the flu virus. Amantadine and rimantadine do not protect against influenza B. Be sure to talk with your doctor about the medicine that is best for you.
Is Hot Tea Good For Flu
While you may think all teas are the same when it comes to helping with a cold or the flu, this is not the case. Some teas contain properties that give the immune system a boost and get rid of bad germs. Herbal and true teas benefit colds as well as flu symptoms, so youll be back to your healthy self in no time.
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How To Tell The Difference Between A Cold And The Flu
A cold and the flu are both respiratory infections, but theyre caused by different viruses. A cold can be caused by more than 200 distinct viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , while there are only a handful of viruses that cause the flu. The flu is usually more intense than the common cold, says the CDC.
Cold symptoms tend to develop gradually, while flu symptoms can come on suddenly, without warning, per the CDC.