Make sure you stay healthy and flu-free this winter by educating yourself on the signs and symptoms of influenza as well as possible ways to avoid it.
ER24 tells us more about this virus:
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness. This means it is an illness which affects your breathing and the organs responsible for taking in oxygen.
This virus can cause mild to severe illness and can also cause chronic health problems to worsen or can lead to pneumonia, which in turn can lead to death.
Influenza, or flu as it is commonly known as, is an acute viral respiratory infection, transmitted by the influenza virus, which has three main types namely A, B and C.
• Influenza virus A is mostly found in wild aquatic birds and can occasionally be transmitted to other species, which may cause outbreaks in domestic poultry or give rise to human illnesses.
• Influenza virus B almost exclusively infects humans and mutates two to three times slower than virus A, although virus B mutates enough that lasting immunity is not possible.
• Influenza virus C is less common than the other types, but infects humans, dogs and pigs and sometimes cause severe illness as well as local epidemics.
How do you get the flu?
The flu virus spreads mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are close by.
You can also catch flu by touching a surface or an object that has the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
A person with flu may be contagious one day before the symptoms appear and for three to seven days after the onset of symptoms.
Watch this video to learn more about myths associated with the common cold.
When should you be vaccinated?
It is never too late to vaccinate, even though it may take up to two weeks to develop sufficient protection for the winter months.
High-risk groups include:
• pregnant women during all stages,
• adults over 65,
• children between the ages of six months and five years,
• any person who had contact with those in the high-risk groups.
What are the symptoms?
It is important to note that influenza is different from a cold.
The key difference between colds and influenza is the very high temperatures one gets with the associated symptoms of influenza.
People usually develop influenza suddenly.
The symptoms include:
• Fever
• Headaches
• Coughing
• Runny or blocked nose
• Body aches
• Tiredness
For further queries on influenza or any other medical condition, contact ER24’s medical information team on 084 124.
