What Is The Flu?

The flu, commonly known as the “flu,” is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza A or B viruses.

The flu is most common in winter and early spring. The flu virus attacks the body by spreading through the upper and/or lower respiratory tract.

What is the difference between cold and flu?

Colds and flu are infectious viral infections of the respiratory tract. Although the symptoms may be similar, the flu is much worse. A cold can pull you down a bit, but even the thought of getting out of bed with the flu can make you shiver.

Congestion, sore throat and sneezing, nasal congestion are symptoms of a cold.

Both the cold and flu can cause coughs, headaches, and chest discomfort. But with the flu, there are high fever and body aches, fatigue and weakness that last for several days. Symptoms of the flu tend to appear suddenly.

Symptoms of the flu tend to appear suddenly. Complications from the common cold are relatively rare, but a flu case can lead to a life-threatening illness such as pneumonia.

More than 100 types of cold viruses are known, and every few years new strains of the flu develop. Because both diseases are viral, antibiotics can not defeat the common cold or flu. Remember: Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections.

Antiviral drugsare available to treat the flu. However, there is no medicine that specifically overcomes the common cold. Antibiotics can only help if there is a secondary bacterial infection.

What Are The Symptoms?

The most common symptoms of the flu are:
Sudden high fever appearance (38°C or more)
Dry cough
Body aches (especially in the head, waist and legs)
Extreme weakness, fatigue (and unwillingness to get out of bed)
Other symptoms may include:
Trembling
Pain behind the eyes
Loss of appetite
Sore throat
Runny or blocked nose
If you are in contact with someone who has the flu, you are more likely to get the flu

How Is It Treated?

Symptoms of influenza can be improved by:
Relax
Plenty of fluid consumption
Medications for fever or pain
Antiviral drugs for influenza virus

Over-the-counter cough and flu medications should not be given to children younger than 6 years of age.
If you are very sick with severe symptoms, a doctor can be consulted.