When you visit any colder place or the flu season arrives at your place, you often get scared because of the flu. It’s common to get flu when the weather changes. Flu halts our entire lifestyle for some days and makes us compelled to stay at home. Flu commonly known as influenza is a viral infection that communicable. While in the flu, you may experience some other problems also including fever, cough, headache, fatigue, sore throat, ear pain, runny nose, etc. Going out and lead a normal lifestyle is tough due to flu. It can make us feel so exhausted and tired that we have to stay in bed for the recovery.
While suffering from flu, you may go through its stages day by day. The Stages of the Flu are as follows –
Stage 1 – Sudden high fever with headache and muscle pain. This stage can be experienced within 1-2 days of flu.
Stage – 2 – Dry cough, cold, weakness, sore throat and sometimes stuffy nose. On 3rd or 4th day, you may experience these symptoms.
Stage -3 – On 5th-day fever and muscle ache may decrease, but chest discomfort, sore throat and dry cough will become noticeable. Tiredness and fatigue will be felt until 8th day.
Stage – 4 – After 8th Day, you’ll start recovering, but cough, weakness and tiredness will last for two or more weeks.
Some people may experience a lot of complications due to flu and they need to consult the specialist as early as possible when they experience the flu symptoms. These people are –
- Pregnant women
- Men/women over 60
- Infants and less than 5 year old children
- People suffering from chronic illness
- People who have any kind of severe ENT problem
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How long does the flu last & what are its causes?
If you are infected with influenza virus, you’ll start experiencing its symptoms. A normal person may experience flu for a week or so, although it’s obvious to feel weak for longer after suffering from flu. On the third or fourth day, the symptoms of flu are on the peak and after that, the symptoms will gradually decrease. Children, pregnant women, older people and people with weaker immune or severe illness may remain infectious for a longer period of time. Many flu sufferers recover fully in a few days and will not have additional problems, although aged persons and those with other medical conditions are more likely to experience weakness for longer than normal. Some people develop severe symptoms such as chest infection after suffering from influenza.
Individuals who have strong immune system won’t have to see a flu specialist. Your immune system will usually combat the infection and clear up its symptoms on its own. Try to relax, maintain a good consumption of fluid and monitor the symptoms if you suspect you have the flu. Check with your doctor for serious concerns or problems.
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The flu is caused by the influenza virus that infects your nose, lungs and throat. These viruses spread in your body and cause cold, cough and high fever. The influenza virus spread via air, object and people.
What is it? Cold or Flu – How to Tell the Difference?
There are a lot of people who think that cold and flu are similar, but there is a difference between them. Yeah, both occur due to virus infection, but symptoms are different in both the diseases. The symptoms of flu are worse than that of cold. Cold is milder than flu and people who suffer from cold have runny or stuffy nose only. But flu results in serious health complication. From pneumonia to high fever, a person may experience a lot of problems while suffering from the flu. As cold and flu share the symptoms, it’s essential to get the proper diagnosis with the help of several blood tests.
What are the timeline and symptoms of the flu?
There can be some mild or severe symptoms of influenza in people. People who have flu often experience following symptoms –
- High fever
- Cough
- Muscle or body aches
- Diarrhea
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Weakness
Sinus and ear infections are the mild complications you may face due to flu. Severe flu may lead to pneumonia and bronchitis, which can be life-threatening.
Normal flu may only last for 4-5 days, but severe one may take more time to get rid of. If you experience the severe symptoms of flu, it’s suggested to consult the specialist for the right treatment.
How to get rid of the flu?
· Influenza vaccine
You can get vaccinated to get protection from the influenza virus. But for how long does the flu shot last? Well, the effect of influenza vaccination may last for at least six months. If you are prone to flu or your immune system is weak, then you must get influenza vaccination to save yourself from the influenza virus.
· Drink plenty of fluids
Keeping your respiratory system hydrated is very important while suffering from the influenza virus. Drink more liquid in the form of fruit juice, coconut water, glucose water, soups and water. If you’ll keep your body hydrated, the liquid will help you get rid of that thick and nasty mucus congestion in your throat and lungs.
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· Humidify your room
Breathing moist air will help you feel relaxed, as it will ease your nasal congestion and sore throat. You can also take a steamy shower and sit in the spa room for a while. If it is possible, then steam your nose with warm water and congestion relieving balm.
· Gargle
If you are experiencing a lot of pain and congestion in your throat, then gargle with warm, saltwater. Gargling will help you get rid of mucus collected in the back of your throat. Stuffy nose and ears will be eased with hot water gargle.
· Drink herbal tea
Try ginger, lemon and lime tea with a touch of spices and see the wonders that it will do to your health. The intense flavour of ginger and lemon is extremely refreshing. This remedial will surely relieve your cold and flu symptoms.
· Garlic
Eat some roasted garlic cloves to relieve the symptoms of flu. Garlic has antimicrobial properties that will surely reduce flu symptoms and make you feel relaxed. You can add garlic to your meals to increase its effect on your health.
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· Honey and ginger
Try eating ginger with honey and soothe your cold, cough and sore throat. Honey and ginger have antiviral properties that make them a curative magical thing. Ginger and honey will also ease the problem of nausea. You can add honey and ginger in your herbal tea to reduce your flu symptoms.
If your flu is mild, then only try these home remedies. Severe flu cannot be treated at home. You need to consult the specialist to get the proper diagnosis and treatment.