Who Should Avoid Ketogenic Diets
Although the ketogenic diet may be helpful for many people, its not suitable for everyone.
For example, the ketogenic diet may not be appropriate for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children and teens, unless its being used therapeutically under medical supervision.
Furthermore, this diet should be avoided by those with certain health conditions like kidney disease, liver disease or pancreatic conditions.
Also, those with diabetes who are interested in following a ketogenic meal plan should consult their doctor to determine if this diet is safe and suitable for their specific needs.
Lastly, this diet may not be appropriate for individuals who are hypersensitive to dietary cholesterol, who account for around one-quarter of the worlds population .
Summary
The ketogenic diet may not be safe for pregnant women, children, people with kidney, liver or pancreatic disease and those who are sensitive to dietary cholesterol.
What Should I Do If I Have The Flu
If you get the flu, the best way to take care of yourself is to rest in bed and drink lots of liquids like water and other non-caffeinated drinks. Stay home from school until you feel better and your temperature has returned to normal.
Most people get better on their own after the virus runs its course. But call your doctor if you have the flu and:
- You’re getting worse instead of better.
- You have trouble breathing.
- You have a medical condition .
Most teens can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with fever and aches. Don’t take aspirin or any products that contain aspirin, though. If kids and teens take aspirin while they have the flu, it puts them at risk for Reye syndrome , which is rare but can be serious.
Antibiotics don’t work on viruses, so they won’t help someone with the flu get better. Sometimes doctors can prescribe an antiviral medicine to cut down how long a person is ill from the flu. These medicines are effective only against some types of flu virus and work best when taken within 48 hours of when symptoms start. Doctors usually use this medicine for people who are very young, elderly, or at risk for serious problems, like people with asthma.
When To Visit Your Gp
If you are otherwise fit and healthy, there’s usually no need to visit your GP if you have flu-like symptoms.
You should just rest at home until you feel better, while keeping warm, drinking plenty of water and taking painkillers if necessary.
In these cases, your GP may suggest taking antiviral medication.
Recommended Reading: Can You Get A Uti From The Flu Shot
What Is The Flu
Flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses. There are two main types of flu virus, along with various subtypes, and they can jump between humans and animals. Like COVID-19, flu is spread by droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
Right now, itâs thought the symptoms of flu include fever, body aches, fatigue, cough, sore throat, headache, loss of appetite, and sometimes an upset stomach.
Although the disease is relatively mild for most people, it can be more severe for very young children, frail older people, and people with underlying illnesses. In some cases, flu can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, which can be fatal.
Is It The Flu A Cold Or Covid
The common cold, flu, and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. They can all cause similar symptoms. If you have symptoms, a health care provider can determine the cause of your illness and help you take steps to feel better.
A cold is often milder than the flu. The flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, but COVID-19 spreads more easily and symptoms tend to be more severe. It’s also more common to have a change in your sense of smell or taste with COVID-19.
People with the flu can have fever, chills, dry cough, general aches and pains, and a headache. They feel very tired. Sore throat, sneezing, stuffy nose, or stomach problems are less common. What some people call “stomach flu” is not influenza. Learn more about the differences between the flu and a cold and flu and COVID-19.
Also Check: How Much Is A Flu Shot At Hy Vee
What Can You Do To Stay As Healthy As Possible Get Your Covid
The best way to protect yourself and others from influenza and COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated for both viruses.
When you get a flu shot, youre up to 60% less likely to get the flu, according to the CDC. And studies also show that even if you do get sick, your flu symptoms will be less severe and youre less likely to need hospital care to recover.
When it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations, data suggests all currently authorized vaccines are effective in preventing illness from COVID-19, with the greatest protection coming against severe illness, hospitalization and death.
Its also important to know its possible to test positive for the flu and COVID-19, as well as other respiratory conditions, at the same time. This can increase your risk of severe complications.
Schedule your vaccinations today
Want to get a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?
Keep Babies And Children Safe
It’s no fun for an adult to deal with flu symptoms. It’s even harder for babies and young children. They are more likely to get other related health issues because of the illness. Talk to your doctor about the flu vaccine for young children and babies 6 months and older. Influenza can be more dangerous for them than a cold.
Don’t Miss: Does Cvs Do Walk In Flu Shots
How Can I Avoid Getting Influenza
Getting an influenza vaccine every year is recommended for everyone aged 6 months or older. People in the above groups are eligible for free flu vaccination each year under the National Immunisation Program.
While not 100% effective, the flu vaccine provides a high level of protection and can reduce symptoms in those still getting sick.
can be co-administered with a flu vaccine. There is no requirement for a time interval between these vaccines.
Wearing a face mask and practicing good hand hygiene can help to reduce your chances of catching the flu or passing it on to others.
Chronic Stress Taxes The Bodys Resources Harder Than Normal
Being anxious stresses the body. Stress taxes the bodys resources harder than normal. Chronic stress, such as that caused by overly apprehensive behavior, can cause the body to become rundown and feel poorly. Experiencing flu-like symptoms or feeling sick is a common consequence of persistently elevated stress, such as that caused by stress-response hyperstimulation.
You May Like: Meningitis And Flu Vaccine Together
Can You Have The Flu Without A Fever
The influenza virus
Influenza, or flu for short, is an illness caused by the influenza virus. If you have ever had the flu, you know how miserable it can make you feel. The virus attacks your respiratory system and produces many uncomfortable symptoms, which last between one and several days.
The flu is not a serious health problem for most people, but if you are elderly, are very young, are pregnant, or have a compromised immune system, the virus can be deadly if not treated.
Most people who contract the flu virus will experience several symptoms. These include:
- a fever
- aches and pains throughout the body
- headaches
- an extreme feeling of fatigue
- a persistent and worsening cough
- a stuffy or runny nose
Not everyone with the flu has every symptom, and the seriousness of the symptoms varies by individual.
The Keto Flu: Symptoms And How To Get Rid Of It
The ketogenic diet has gained popularity as a natural way to lose weight and improve health.
The diet is very low in carbohydrates, high in fat and moderate in protein.
While the diet is considered safe for most people, its associated with some unpleasant side effects.
The keto flu, also called the carb flu, is a term coined by followers to describe the symptoms they experience when beginning the diet.
This article investigates what the keto flu is, why it happens and how to ease its symptoms.
The keto flu is a collection of symptoms experienced by some people when they first start the keto diet.
These symptoms, which can feel similar to the flu, are caused by the body adapting to a new diet consisting of very little carbohydrates.
Reducing your carb intake forces your body to burn ketones for energy instead of glucose.
Ketones are byproducts of fat breakdown and become the main fuel source when following a ketogenic diet.
Normally, fat is reserved as a secondary fuel source to use when glucose is not available.
This switch to burning fat for energy is called ketosis. It occurs during specific circumstances, including starvation and fasting (
However, ketosis can also be reached by adopting a very low-carb diet.
In a ketogenic diet, carbohydrates are typically reduced to under 50 grams per day .
This drastic reduction can come as a shock to the body and may cause withdrawal-like symptoms, similar to those experienced when weaning off an addictive substance like caffeine .
Also Check: Flu Shots Brigham And Women’s Hospital
Check If You Have Flu
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
- a sudden high temperature of 38C or above
- an aching body
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but flu tends to be more severe.
| Flu | |
|---|---|
| Appears quickly within a few hours | Appears gradually |
| Affects more than just your nose and throat | Affects mainly your nose and throat |
| Makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal | Makes you feel unwell, but you’re OK to carry on as normal |
Looking After Yourself When You Have Influenza
The best things you can do to look after yourself when you have the flu are:
- Rest you will probably feel very weak and tired until your temperature returns to normal . Rest provides comfort and allows your body to use its energy to fight the infection.
- Stay at home stay away from work, school and any places where you may have contact with others, especially while you are contagious. The period during which adults are contagious is usually around 35 days from when the first symptoms appear, and up to 7 days in younger children.
- Drink plenty of fluids extra fluids are needed to replace those lost because of the fever . If your urine is dark, you need to drink more. Try to drink a glass of fluids, such as water, every hour while you are awake.
Also Check: Is There A Vaccine For Avian Flu
Do I Need To Go To The Emergency Room If I Am Only A Little Sick
No. The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill.
If you have emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at higher risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice.
People experiencing any of these warning signs should obtain medical care right away.
In children
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish lips or face
- Ribs pulling in with each breath
- Chest pain
- Severe muscle pain
- Dehydration
- Not alert or interacting when awake
- Seizures
- In children less than 12 weeks, 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
How Can You Prevent The Flu
The most effective way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. It makes it less likely that you will get the flu. It also reduces your chances of being hospitalized or dying if you do get sick with the flu.
In addition to getting your flu vaccine, you can help stop the spread of flu by:
- Washing your hands
- Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Staying home when you are sick
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school
You May Like: When Are Flu Shots Available Each Year
What Can I Do To Avoid Catching The Flu
The best way to protect yourself against the severe effects of flu is to get a flu vaccination.
In an attempt to mitigate the effects of flu this winter, the government have extended the free annual flu vaccination program to include more people than in previous years, including over 50s, children aged 2-16, pregnant women, people with underlying health problems, people in residential care, health and social care workers, and carers.
If you arenât eligible for a free flu vaccine, you may still be able to pay to receive one at your local pharmacy. The flu jab takes 10-14 days to become effective, so it is best to plan ahead and get your jab early, before the flu season starts.
To protect yourself from flu, you should also practice the basic public health measures we have relied upon in the fight against COVID. This means frequent hand washing, covering your mouth if you cough or sneeze, mask-wearing, maintaining a social distance and staying home if you are sick.
Colds Dont Usually Come With A Significant Fever
While you may be running a little warmer, colds rarely come with a significant fever. And while you can still have the flu without a fever, the flu typically comes with a few days above 100° Fahrenheit.
A flu fever will likely come on fast. This is an especially common flu symptom in kids. Keep an eye on the little ones and the elderly, as they will be more susceptible to complications. Also, keep drinking liquids and get lots of rest.
Read Also: What Is Considered The Flu Season
Can The Flu Be Prevented
There’s no guaranteed way to avoid the flu. But getting the flu vaccine can help. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get it every year.
Flu vaccines are available as a shot or as a nasal spray. Both work equally well. This flu season , get whichever vaccine your doctor recommends. People with weak immune systems or some health conditions and pregnant women should not get the nasal spray vaccine.
What else can you do? Wash your hands well and often. Avoid sharing cups, utensils, or towels with others. If you do catch the flu, use tissues whenever you sneeze or cough to avoid spreading the virus.
During the coronavirus pandemic, experts found that wearing masks can help protect the community from the spread of germs. They recommend that everyone wear a mask when out in public or around people who don’t live with them. Wearing masks can also help stop the spread of flu.
If you do get the flu this season, take care of yourself and call your doctor with any questions or concerns. When you’re feeling bad, remember that the flu usually lasts a week or less and you’ll be back to normal before too long.
Help Vital Research By Logging Your Flu Jab
The ZOE COVID study is ideally placed to monitor flu, and this year we will be using your symptom reports to track the impacts of both COVID-19 and flu. We have updated the app so you can log your flu jab alongside your COVID vaccinations, which will help us monitor how vaccines impact the spread of flu and COVID-19.
Flu is just the start of our expanded studies and soon weâll be looking into a wider range of health concerns as part of our wider health studies programme. To take part in these studies, youâll need to opt in via the app. So head to the app today, opt in on the home menu and keep an eye out for new studies.
If you havenât already, , log your vaccines and take a few minutes each day to report how youâre feeling, so we can help beat COVID and winter flu.
Also Check: Can I Get Flu Shot When I Have A Cold
Should I Be Worried About The Flu This Year
Every year, winter flu outbreaks hospitalise thousands of people in the UK. The number of flu-related deaths varies each year, depending on which strains of the virus are circulating.
In a typical year, around 7,000 people die in the UK as a result of flu with most deaths happening in people over 65. However, in a bad flu year, deaths can reach 25,000 or more.
Over the past two winters, COVID measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing and lockdowns have reduced flu outbreaks. Last winter, only 40 hospitalisations due to influenza were reported across England.
With low levels of circulating flu over the past couple of years, experts are speculating that our immunity against influenza viruses has diminished. As COVID restrictions are lifted, increased virus circulation combined with low immunity levels could mean we are in for a bad flu season this year.
How To Get Rid Of Anxiety Caused Flu Like Symptoms
When this feeling is caused by apprehensive behavior and the accompanying stress response changes, calming yourself down will bring an end to the stress response and its changes. As your body recovers from the active stress response, this feeling should subside and you should return to your normal self. Keep in mind that it can take up to 20 minutes or more for the body to recover from a major stress response. But this is normal and shouldnt be a cause for concern.
When this feeling is caused by persistently elevated stress, such as from overly apprehensive behavior, it may take a lot more time for the body to recover and to the point where this symptom is eliminated.
Nevertheless, when the body has fully recovered, this flu like symptoms feeling will completely subside. Therefore, it neednt be a cause for concern.
You can speed up the recovery process by reducing your stress, practicing relaxed breathing, increasing your rest and relaxation, and not worrying about these flu like symptoms. Again, when your body has recovered from the stress response and/or its overly stressed state, these flu like symptoms will completely disappear.
Play the clip below for Jim Folk’s commentary about why anxiety can cause flu-like symptoms. Jim Folk is the president of anxietycentre.com.
Experiencing flu-like symptoms is a common indication of stress, including anxiety-caused stress. Jim Folk experienced many episodes of flu like symptoms during his 12 year struggle with anxiety disorder.
Also Check: Does Medicare Cover Flu Shots At Publix