However, some people develop secondary infections because of the flu. Children are especially vulnerable to ear infections , but adults can get them too. If symptoms suddenly change or get worse, this could mean that there is a new infection, which could be viral or bacterial. People should try to see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours after flu symptoms appear, as this is when antiviral treatments are most effective.
It is also important to see a doctor if symptoms do not improve after 7 days or new symptoms, such as ear pain, appear. Most people who get the flu will have symptoms that last between 3 and 7 days. If they develop complications, they may be ill for longer. Thousands of people die from the flu every year. Children, older adults, or people with compromised immune systems are much more vulnerable to flu complications. People should take the flu seriously by resting and avoiding public places until their symptoms disappear.
With rest and medical care, it is possible to recover even from serious complications. Anyone with severe flu symptoms should see a doctor. To reduce the risk of getting the flu again, a person can get the flu shot every year. Flu infections dropped after the introduction of COVID restrictions, but this reduced exposure to influenza may mean reduced population immunity.
Are swine flu vaccines safe and effective? Read on to learn more about swine flu vaccines, such as their role in both the and swine flu….
Complications from the flu can range from moderate to severe. The signs that you have a cold usually develop slowly. The most common cold symptoms include fatigue, sore or scratchy throat, nasal congestion or stuffiness, and a runny nose, followed by sneezing and coughing.
The mucus discharged by a runny nose may change color over the course of the illness, starting out clear and becoming thicker, yellow, or green. Postnasal drip , in which mucus accumulates or drips in the back of the throat, can further aggravate a sore throat or cough. Symptoms usually disappear in 4 to 10 days, although a cough often lasts into the second week.
If your symptoms persist more than 10 days or keep coming back, then something else may be going on, such as allergies , sinusitis , or a secondary infection. Adults with a fever of degrees F or higher and children with a fever of degree F or higher should see a doctor.
The contagious period for the common cold has its own life span. A cold is most contagious during the first day or two after symptoms develop. Flu symptoms usually start within one to four days after infection. Unlike a common cold, the effects of an influenza virus infection can come on very suddenly.
The first signs of the flu are often a fever or chills, accompanied by headache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, and fatigue. As the illness progresses, a person may have warm, flushed skin, watery or bloodshot eyes, a severe cough that produces phlegm , and nasal congestion.
Nausea and vomiting may also occur, especially among children, according to the Merck Manual. A bout of the flu typically lasts for several days or occasionally weeks, with severe symptoms subsiding in two to three days. However, weakness, fatigue, dry cough, and a reduced ability to exercise can linger for six to eight weeks. The original recommended timing between receipt of the 2 vaccines was a preferred minimum interval of 2 weeks 14 days.
Based on the latest medical advice the preferred minimum interval between vaccinations for COVID and the flu is now 7 days.
Their immune system will fight the infection and symptoms will usually clear up on their own. If you think you have the flu, try to rest, maintain a good fluid intake, and manage your symptoms.
This will help you recover and prevent dehydration. See your doctor if you have any concerns. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:. If you feel a cough or sneeze is coming on, make sure to cough or sneeze into your elbow.
Antiviral medications, if started in the first 2 days after symptoms start, can shorten the length of your illness. These need to be prescribed by your doctor. Decongestants and simple pain relievers can help you feel better while your body's immune system fights off the infection.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Around 75 per cent of Melbourne's air pollution is caused by vehicle emissions.
Anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease that occasionally infects humans. The Western obsession with cleanliness may be partly responsible for the increase in allergic asthma and conditions such as rhinitis. Careful prescribing of antibiotics will minimise the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. When asbestos fibres become airborne, people working with asbestos may inhale particles which remain in their lungs.
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Flu may cause you to go into premature labour before 37 weeks of pregnancy , or it may result in your baby having a low birth weight. Occasionally, getting flu during pregnancy can result in a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Taking the antiviral medicines oseltamivir Tamiflu or zanamivir Relenza to prevent flu is recommended if all of the following apply:. If there's an outbreak of flu in a residential or nursing home — where the flu virus can often spread very quickly — antiviral medication may be offered to people if they've been in contact with someone with confirmed flu. Home Illnesses and conditions Infections and poisoning Flu. Flu See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1.
About flu 2. Symptoms of flu 3. Treating flu 4. Complications of flu 5. Preventing flu. About flu Flu influenza is a common infectious viral illness spread by coughs and sneezes.
Flu symptoms Some of the main symptoms of flu include: a high temperature fever of 38C Flu-like illness self-help guide If you have a flu-like illness, complete our self-help guide to assess your symptoms and find out what to do next. What to do If you're otherwise fit and healthy, there's usually no need to see your GP if you have flu-like symptoms. Read more about treating flu at home When to see your GP Consider visiting your GP if: you're 65 years of age or over you're pregnant you have a long-term medical condition — such as diabetes , heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease or a neurological disease you have a weakened immune system — for example because you're having chemotherapy or have HIV you develop chest pain, shortness of breath , difficulty breathing or start coughing up blood your symptoms are getting worse over time or haven't improved after a week In these situations, you may need medication to treat or prevent complications of flu.
Read more about antiviral medication for flu How long does flu last and is it serious? If you have flu, you generally start to feel ill within a few days of being infected. Read more about the complications of flu How you catch flu The flu virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes.
Preventing the spread of flu You can help stop yourself catching flu or spreading it to others with good hygiene measures. Always wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water, as well as: regularly cleaning surfaces such as your computer keyboard, telephone and door handles to get rid of germs using tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze putting used tissues in a bin as soon as possible You can also help stop the spread of flu by avoiding unnecessary contact with other people while you're infectious.
Read more about how to stop the spread of flu What's the difference between a cold and a flu? Symptoms of flu The symptoms of flu usually develop within 1 to 3 days of becoming infected. However, you may have a lingering cough and still feel very tired for a further couple of weeks. Main symptoms Flu can give you any of the following symptoms: a sudden fever — a temperature of 38C The main differences are: Flu symptoms: come on quickly usually include fever and aching muscles make you feel too unwell to continue your usual activities Cold symptoms: come on gradually mainly affect your nose and throat are fairly mild, so you can still get around and are usually well enough to go to work When to visit your GP If you are otherwise fit and healthy, there's usually no need to visit your GP if you have flu-like symptoms.
Read more about how to treat flu Consider visiting your GP if: you're 65 years of age or over you're pregnant you have a long-term medical condition — such as diabetes , heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease or a neurological disease you have a weakened immune system — for example, because you're having chemotherapy or have HIV you develop chest pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or start coughing up blood your symptoms are getting worse over time or haven't improved after a week In these situations, you may need extra treatment to prevent or treat complications of flu.
Treating flu Usually, you can manage flu symptoms yourself at home and there's no need to see a GP.
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