FLU EXPLAINED: Symptoms, Causes and Home Remedies

We generally tend to ignore the common illnesses signs like cold, cough, strep throat and fever, but in these covid times, it can be life-threatening to ignore these symptoms. According to the leading general physician near me, when we acquire common illnesses such as flu(influenza), chest cold(acute bronchitis), common cold, ear infection, sore throat, etc. we shouldn’t take them lightly and should get a health check-up conducted at the earliest.

Today we are going to discuss one such common illness which is Flu also known as Influenza. It is a respiratory illness, an airborne disease that spreads from person to person. Its effects may be mild or not, depending on the severity of the situation. Severe symptoms may even result in hospitalization or death. 

What are the causes of Flu?

It is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It is an infectious disease and can be spread when a person with flu coughs sneezes or talks. When a person with these symptoms sneezes or coughs he or she might transmit the virus into the air which may later travel into the bodies of the people passing nearby via their mouths or noses. People with weak immune systems have a higher risk of catching these diseases faster than a normal person.

What are the Symptoms of Flu?

In case you are suffering from the flu, you may show the following symptoms, though the degree of these may vary depending on the severity of your condition.

• Basic symptoms include mild to high fever, with body temperatures ranging from 103°F to 105°F, cough, sneezing, body aches and fatigue.

•  In more severe cases of the flu, the patient may also experience headaches, diarrhoea and vomiting. 

• Patients can also expect a runny nose and puffy eyes, however, this is not the case for all patients under the flu.

•  People who have received the flu vaccine usually tend to have reduced symptoms, and the symptoms also last for a shorter period.

The symptoms usually last for five to seven days, starting from the day of exposure to the virus and will ease with the use of medications.

How can it be treated?

Plenty of rest and fluids are recommended for people with mild flu. In some cases, your doctor may suggest antibiotic drugs depending on the severity of your condition. 

According to the best general physician in South Delhi, symptoms of flu can be eased with these home remedies:

• Drinking lots of water and fluids

• Taking ample rest

• Drinking warm broth

• Drinking herbal tea

• A mixture of hot water, honey, and lemon juice

• Ginger soup

• A glass of lemon juice

• Onion juice

Ways to Prevent Flu

• Getting vaccinated

• Avoid being in contact with sick people

• Wearing a mask

• After using a tissue while sneezing or coughing, throw it in the bin

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent microbes from spreading

• Disinfect contaminated surfaces

 

When to check in with a doctor?

Depending on the severity of the flu, you need to visit a physician in case of the below-mentioned symptoms:

• Chest pain

• Severe muscular pain

• Nasal congestion

• Dizziness

• Difficulty breathing

• Lip dryness

• Dehydration

You need to make an appointment at the earliest with the best general physician in Delhi, or else you may develop severe complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, that may require hospitalization. Flu may also worsen chronic health problems such as asthma and congestive heart failure.