What is Flu?

A viral infection causing fever, cough,headaches,body aches, runnynose and sore throat. The medical term of flu is ‘Influenza’. Beside seasonal flu caused by the influenza and sometimes parainfluenza virus, there are other kinds of flu eg: ‘Swine Flu’ caused by H1N1 category of Influenza virus which caused a worldwide outbreak(Pandemic) in 2009-2010 and ‘Bird flu’(H5N1)also known as Avian flu(first seen in Birds).

Timing?

In South Eastern Asia including India the commonest season is between April to September and in western countries(Northern hemisphere) the time is around winter(September to April)

Who suffers the most?

Anybody can be infected but complications happen to some vulnerable population including Children <5yrs (especially <2 yrs),Older people (>65yrs),Pregnant woman, Asthmatics, Chronic Lung conditions(COPD,Chronic Bronchitis), Heart disease(Coronary artery disease, Congenital Heart disease), Diabetic patients, Cancer, HIV,Severely Obese(BMI>40)

What happens if you are infected?

It is a highly contagious disease spreading through droplets and aerosols from the affected person during sneezing,coughing, touching and even talking in close distance.Vulnerable subjects can develop severe pneumonia with serious consequences.

How to prevent it?

Hand hygiene, distancing from symptomatic people is effective although due to its highly contagious nature often these measures fail. One of the effective ways to prevent severe disease is by Vaccination(The ‘Flu' shot). Due to mutation (known as Antigenic Shift and Drift) almost every year the genetic structure of the virus changes and causes repeated infections. Annual influenza vaccination ,developed every year with these new strains, is a recommended mode to prevent new infection and severe disease.

What should you do when symptomatic?

Don’t panic.Take rest.Take good amount of water to prevent dehydration.Acetaminophen(Paracetamol) is the choice of medicine for fever control however always consult your doctor for proper dosing and avoid self medication. Do not take ASPIRIN for fever control especially subjects below 18 yrs of age.Antibiotics have no role in flu treatment and should be avoided unless prescribed by your doctor.It is always better to consult your Pediatrician/ Family physician during your illness.