Flu

What is the flu?

The flu, or influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by the type influenza virus TO and type B.  Is more common in the autumn and winter.

The flu is highly contagious; generally, the virus enters the body through the mucous membranes in the mouth, nose or eyes.  When a person with flu coughs or he sneezes, the virus is disseminated for the air and can be inhaled for any person that be found close.

In the majority of the communities, are the children in school age the first in acquiring the flu, that then they carry it to their houses and to other groups.  In a light season of flu, near the 10 al 15% of the population themselves infected.  In a more severe season of flu, 20% or more than the population can contract flu.

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Is dangerous the flu?

A case of strong flu probably send an adult or healthy boy to the bed for 3 to 5 days.  Then, the person will recover completely, but the cough and the exhaustion can persist during days or weeks.

Nevertheless, the flu can be a serious illness.  Each year, until 40 million Americans they contract flu, and near 150.000 they are hospitalized.  During passed epidemics in the United States, the influenza and its complications have caused between 10.000 and 40.000 deaths.

The people above the 65 years and those people of all the ages with chronic illnesses (such as diabetes, heart illness, asthma and HIV) they are more prone to be made ill seriously with flu.  These people are also more prone to develop other serious infections such as pneumonia.  If you are an elder or has a chronic illness, he should call his doctor before the first sign of symptoms of the flu.

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What should do if I have flu?

The rest is important to help to be improved.  Besides, if it remains at home, there is less risk that Ud infect other people.  The flu continues being contagious during 3 or 4 days despúes that the symptoms appear.

Also it should drink great quantity of you flow you.  The hot liquids can alleviate the sensation of congestion.  A soothing one of the pain, as for example acetaminofen, can be taken for the pains and the fever.  Never him of aspirin to children less than 12 years that have flu (or any illness that suspect is caused for a virus) owed al risk of a serious adverse effect known as Syndrome of Reye.

The doctors can prescribe a medicación antiviral, which should be taken inside the 48 hs after the apparition of the first symptoms, to reduce the duration of the fever and other symptoms related.  Nevertheless, this medicación is only assets against the influenza type A.

How do I give me account if I have flu?

Generally, the flu attacks 1 to 3 days after the exposition al virus.  Many times, the beginning of the flu seems to be sudden: the people describes to feel:  “As if it had been struck for a truck”.  The common symptoms of the flu include fever and chills, muscular pain and in the articulations, cough, headache, pain of eyes, exhaustion and weakness.  Some people also experience nasal congestion and pain of throat.

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It can be cured with antibiotics?

Not. As the flu is a viral infection, cannot be treated with antibiotics.  The antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria and, consequently, they are only useful for the processing of bacterial infections.

If their doctor does not consider that Ud require antibiotics to treat its infection, insist not.  The inappropriate use of antibiotics contributes al resistant bacteria stumps development to antibiotics, which represents a great problem for the public health.

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I should call al medical if I have flu?

If Ud feels seriously sick, should always call its doctor.  Only its doctor will be able to tell him if Ud has a condition that require a processing, or if the rest and the to take you flow you is everything that needs to be improved.

As it was discussed previously, the people above 65 years and those people of any age with problems of chronic health should be put always in contact with their doctor if they are infected flu.

At times, the people with flu can develop other serious infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, or infection ótica.  It should consult its doctor immediately if:

* Colorless, thick mucus Coughs or sanguinolento.  * Has symptoms such as recurrent fever, pain in the chest, facial swelling, severe pain in the face or front or pain ótico.

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What should I do to avoid to catch the flu?

To prevent the contagion of the flu, or to reduce the severity of the same one, should be applied a vaccine for the flu each autumn — especially if Ud has more than 65 years or has a problem of chronic health.

The vaccine against the flu is its better opportunity of protejerse against the flu.  Nevertheless, the vaccine is not always cash since the stumps of influenza for which it proteje cannot be the same that walk patrolling in its area.  Then, no matter how more Ud have vaccinates itself against the flu, Ud of all forms to be infected.

If Ud is pregnant or if Ud is allergic to the eggs, should ask its doctor about if Ud owes or not to receive the vaccine of the flu.

There are also simple things of common sense that Ud can do to try protejerse of the flu:

* It is Maintained far away, if is possible, of the people that have flu since the virus is disseminated when a person with flu coughs or he sneezes.  * He Wash his hands often to reduce his risk to contract a resfrío or flu.  * He Avoid to smoke cigarettes of other people, and if Ud smokes, try to leave it * Try to maintain a healthy way of life:
continue a good diet, sleep well, maintain low the levels of stress and drink a lot of water.