The illness we know as the flu, or influenza, has been with us for over 100 years. While we often think of it as an annoyance we deal with seasonally, the first significant case was labeled a pandemic. The then-new H1N1 flu strain lasted about 2 years, but is now an annual irritant we treat in different ways.
Whether you’re struggling with a minor annoyance from a mild case or lying up in bed for days at a time, treating the flu is far more straightforward than it used to be. Let’s have a closer look at the viral infection, the common symptoms, and how we can not only manage the illness but also reduce the time you struggle with it.
Dr. Andrew Nangalama and his experienced medical staff at American River Urgent Care assist the residents of Orangevale and Rancho Cordova, California, with various issues, including the common signs of upper respiratory infections like the flu.
Viruses, the microscopic pieces of genetic information inside a shell called a capsid, infect living organisms and cause various problems depending on which one invades your body.
The influenza virus causes upper respiratory issues and has signs similar enough to be confused with things like the common cold or COVID-19 (another virus). However, if the infection is severe enough, it can be fatal. As many as 40 million Americans deal with this illness every year during the fall and winter seasons.
Similar to colds, nasal congestion, sore throat, and coughing occur with the flu, but several other signs occur during infection, such as fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. Shortness of breath and sneezing can also happen, but they are less common. The flu also develops more quickly than colds, often within three days of infection.
You can also spread the infection as soon as a day before symptoms start or up to a week after they have. It can take up to two weeks for the infection to clear, and there are usually no lasting effects in healthy people.
People with compromised immune systems can deal with complications, including sinus and ear infections, acute respiratory distress syndrome, muscle damage, muscle swelling, toxic shock syndrome, and worsening preexisting chronic conditions like asthma or kidney disease.
Vaccines provide the main defense against flu infections, preparing your body for strains most likely to infect people in a given season. But if you get infected with a different strain or miss a vaccination, several options can help you get through the illness:
Over-the-counter drugs, such as decongestants, pain relievers, and cough suppressants, can alleviate symptoms, and prescription antivirals can reduce the duration of the virus in your system.
Getting some good old-fashioned bed rest will help your body recover over time, and keeping to yourself as much as possible during this time will help to avoid infecting other people.
Getting sick with the flu makes everyone miserable, and if you’re displaying these symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Nangalama and the American River Urgent Care team as soon as possible to start feeling better.
