Humaira is a lifestyle blogger with her main focus on children’s health. She blogs on different ways to provide nutrition to kids. She blogs at https://creativelifestar.com/
What are the common symptoms of influenza and how to prevent it?
Influenza or flu is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. People at high risk of developing flu complications include young children under the age of 2, adults above the age of 65, pregnant women, and people who have ailments, such as asthma, heart trouble, kidney illness, liver ailment, and diabetes.1
While antiviral remedies are available, influenza vaccines are the pillar of attempts to reduce the substantial health burden from seasonal influenza.2
Depending on when influenza peaks in the location you’re staying at, the time for vaccine administration changes. Speak to your local physician about the best time to take the vaccine.
Common symptoms of influenza
At the commencement, the flu may appear like a common cold with a watery nose, sneezing, and sore throat. But cold generally develops slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. And although a cold can be a bother, you usually feel much worse with the flu.4
Common signs and symptoms of influenza include:
- Fever1
- Dry cough1
- Headache1
- Muscle and joint pain1
- Feeling unhealthy1
- Sore throat1
- Watery nose1
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than aged.1
Let’s check the protective measures for influenza
The most effective way to prevent influenza is through vaccination. The vaccine can be given to children as young as 6 months and 65-year-old adults as well. While the vaccine does not completely prevent the illness among the elderly, it helps reduce complications and deaths.6
Along with vaccination, it’s also necessary to take several measures to reduce the spread of infection, including:
- Basic hygiene measures are helpful4
- Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze4
- Wash your hands again and again with a cleanser and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. However, use alcohol-grounded hand sanitizer if you aren’t near water.4
- Stay as far away as you can from people who are sick.4
- Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Pathogens frequently spread this way.4
People who get the flu can treat themselves at home and mostly do not need to see a doctor. However, it’s always better to seek medical help once the flu symptoms appear before letting them turn dangerous. Remember, getting timely help goes a long way in reducing the length of your illness and protecting yourself from serious problems.4
How effective is the influenza vaccine?
Recently, I learned a few important facts about influenza vaccination and its effectiveness in a live session by Abbott India where Dr. Sadanand S. Shetye and Dr. Mangesh Tiwaskar shared:
- Vaccination is the perfect tool for protecting against influenza and reducing the danger of contracting influenza again
- On average, the vaccine prevents around 60% of infections in the healthy grown-ups age group of 18-64 years7
- Influenza vaccines turn effective about 14 days after vaccination
My opinion
Influenza is a viral infection that attacks one’s respiratory system – nose, throat, and lungs.1 India is featured amongst countries with the topmost Influenza frequency rates.5 Annual influenza vaccine is your perfect defense against the flu. With kids returning to schools and colleges and the commencement of the thunderstorm season, we must educate ourselves on how influenza is different from the common cold and fever and #FightAgainstFlu together.
References:
- https://www.mothersagainstinfluenza.in/
- https://www.who.int/teams/global-influenza-programme/vaccines
- https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/vax-summary.htm
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/symptoms-causes/syc-20351719
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3531016/
- https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)
- https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm#flu-vaccination
Each time I suffer from Influenza, I think of the same three things:
1) How grateful I am that it’s not the Bubonic Plague.
2) How much worse could it be?
3) How there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned cup of chicken soup to make me feel better.
Trust me, it makes me feel a lot better.
Thanks.
now a days types of flues are so dangerous and easily transmitted with many common symptoms, this will help us to decide which is actual kind of influenza. the precautionary factors are very helpful specially in case of kids.
Thanks.
I’ve always followed this rule of thumb that knowing and understanding more on a subject or topic based on your own research and readings is much valuable than hearsay. Knowing what influenza is and how to identify it from common colds or others and how to treat it is a need. This article is very much needed for those who want to know what influenza is. Great article!
Very informative post, thank you for sharing! Never studied this topic before but it’s definitely worth being educated about. Better safe than sorry!
Thanks.
With the change in weather, influenza is on the increase. Hygiene and precautions against infection are necessary. But vaccination is really effective and the best bet to stall the onset of influenza.
With rapidly changing climate, awareness about different ailments is all the more relevant. Influenza can be misunderstood as other diseases as well. You have articulated this quite well.
I can see you researched a lot to pen down this wonderful content which is very informative. When I was a kid I was prone to cold and cough and influenza. All thanks to my mom to built my immunity so strong that touch wood I rarely experience viral fever. But still I witness some careless parents with almost no attention towards kids health in this pandemic… I wonder how are they so carefree with viral prone kids. Thanks for sharing such informative content 👏
Thank you for sharing the symptoms and preventive steps. It is important to know about the disease properly to treat it better. Also, thanks for discussing about vaccination.
This is a well researched write up
Cold and cough occurs generally to people with low immunity
With change in weather they should be careful
Thanks!
This is a very helpful post. I usually get cold very soon mostly bcoz I have sensitive nose and bad dust allergy. I will try these suggestions.
Influenza is becoming more common as the weather changes. Hygiene and infection prevention are required. It is necessary to understand what influenza is, how to distinguish it from common colds or other illnesses, and how to treat it. This article is essential for those who want to understand what influenza is. Informative post!
This is so informative and helpful. Had no idea about influenza and it’s vaccine. Thank you for the details. Gonna share this with my aunty 😍😍
Thanks!
Yes, we must be careful and follow all the C’s for better health. Influenza looks as simple cough and cold but can turn out to be severe if not taken proper precaution.
Flu is so common nowadays, and it’s important to be well aware of the symptoms and precautions to stay safe. Thanks for sharing this article.
During this season change, influenza is increasing. It’s necessary to differentiate it from common cold to treat properly. We take some precautions to make our family members safe. A very helpful and informative article indeed.
As a mom of a 6 yr old, I am very cautious about my daughter catching a cold. While flu and common cold symptoms seem similar, we need to identify the differences too. This is a beneficial post to determine the common symptoms of flu.
Looking at the symptoms, majority of people avoid it as common cough and cold but it can be dangerous and flu vaccine is a great way to fight against flu.
This is something I also keep a very strict routine of, ever since my kid was infected a few years ago. Influenza can cause much more damage than a persistent cold or cough. thank you for the information.
Prevention is always better than cure. And thats why getting vaccinated against flu is must. People should know the difference between common cold and influenza and according take precautionary measures.
It is a preventable disease and taking the right precautions can save on time. I always prefer vaccination when it comes to such seasonal infections, and we keep open discussion with the doctor too.
In this covid era, it is best to prevent all sorts of respiratory infections. influenza is so common and it is great that now we have vaccine to prevent it. we as a family take flu shot every year. thanks for reminding us.
This gentle reminder is vital for all the parents, glad you decided to share about it at so much length. The significance of vaccines is undeniable.
Right post at the right time. Currently influenza is spreading everywhere because of the weird weather all the time.
Flu can wreak havoc for a child’s health but it’s great that we can easily prevent it with timely vaccination. It’s different from common cough and cold and must be taken seriously.
Influenza is peaking up in the southern states now and your post came in at the right time to spread awareness thanks for sharing this information
People are falling sick so often and not able to identify the causes or symptoms and correct cure. Thanks for this article for right measures stated.
Changing seasons brings influenza with them, and its very challenging to deal with it. Thanks for sharing the detail and well researched article.
Changing weather brings cold and fever and is very challenging to handle. Thanks for sharing informative article.
There are many different types of influenza viruses, and they can be extremely dangerous. They are easily transmitted and have many common symptoms, so it’s important to be able to identify which one you have. This will help you get the treatment you need and avoid infecting others. Thank you for sharing this informative post!