Flu Care Treatment & Diagnostics in Sadashiv Peth, Pune
Flu Care
Flu is a viral infection, which is contagious and spread through the respiratory droplets, which is spread while sneezing, coughing, or even when talking to another person. The flu ambushes the nose, throat, and lungs. Pregnant women, elderly people, young children, people with a weak immune system are at a high risk of contracting the ailment.
What is the Flu?
Also known as Influenza, it is a viral infection. Influenza A and B are usually seasonal epidemics while type C is a mild respiratory illness. H5NI, which is also known as Bird Flu is an Influenza A strain and can infect humans leading to severe illness.
What are the Types of the Flu?
There are four types of Influenza viruses and they are type A, B, C, and D. Aforementioned, A and B are seasonal epidemics, where the ailment causes coughing, sneezing, aching, and fevers, while C is a mild illness. Influenza D is not known to affect human beings and is generally found in cattle.
What are the Symptoms of the Flu?
The most common flu symptoms include;
- High temperature which lasts for at least 3 or 4 days
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Cold sweats
- Shivering
- Body aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
It is not necessary that if you are suffering from the flu, you will experience all the symptoms. For instance, you might not experience fever but other symptoms. Mostly, when you are suffering from flu, you might also feel tired and lose your appetite along with the other symptoms.
Flu symptoms that require urgent medical care:
- Breathing difficulties
- Pain in chest or abdomen
- Seizures
- Dizziness and confusion
- Not urinating because of the dehydration
- Severe weakness and too much pain
- Persistent fever or cough which goes away and comes back frequently
- Health condition worsening
Flu symptoms in children:
- Breathing difficulty
- Breathing heavily or rapidly
- Face turning bluish
- Pain in chest or ribs
- Severe pain
- Dehydration (even crying is dry tears)
- Not alert or being their usual self
- Fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (this is for children under 12 weeks)
- Fever or cough that keeps going and coming back
- Other medical conditions worsen
In very young children, you might notice that your baby is very tired and is running a high fever with a cough. This can be an indication of the flu. Vomiting and diarrhea can also be the symptoms of the flu in children. Immediate medical attention is required if;
- The baby is not liking being held
- Skin color becomes greyish or blue
- Breathing problems
- Fever is accompanied by a rash
- They are showing dehydration signs
- They aren’t waking up
- Vomiting is severe
What Causes the Flu?
The influenza viruses are the culprit here, which affect the nose, throat, and lungs. The viruses spread when the respiratory droplets from an infected person reach a healthy individual while talking, shaking hands, coughing, or sneezing. One can also get infected after touching an object or a surface that contains flu virus and then touching own mouth or nose.
When to See a Doctor?
For yearly flu shot: Everyone above 6 months should visit their healthcare provider for the annual flu shots
It is also imperative to visit a doctor if the symptoms don’t go away on their own or if the symptoms deteriorate. You must also visit a doctor if your cough lasts for weeks. You mustn’t neglect any severity of the symptoms and get in touch with a healthcare provider immediately.
Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, pune
Call 1860-500-2244 to book an appointment
Who are at Risk of Contracting the Flu?
Diseases that place people at a high risk of the flu include;
- Chronic lung diseases
- Heart disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Chronic metabolic disease
- Morbid obesity
- Severe anemia
- HIV, AIDS, usage of steroids, Chemotherapy
- Liver problems
- People receiving long-term aspirin therapy
What is the Treatment for The Flu?
To treat flu, you must take rest and consume plenty of fluids and it generally gets better on its own. If the symptoms deteriorate, your doctor might prescribe the necessary drugs to treat the condition.
If you happen to notice any symptoms of flu, it is important to take a rest and drink lots of fluids to get well soon. If the symptoms pertain, visit a doctor immediately.
To avoid flu, it is important to maintain proper hygiene and wash hands frequently.
Yes. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against influenza.
The viruses keep changing and the protection a virus vaccine provides declines after a while. Therefore, getting vaccinated every year keeps you away from contracting the disease.