Flu strikes suddenly and affects the whole body

Flu is a viral infection that's most common during the winter months. We look at the symptoms it causes and how to prevent it in the first place, including information about vaccinations.

Flu (influenza)
By: Dr. Rob Hicks
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/influenza1.shtml

What is it?
Influenza, more commonly known as flu, is a viral infection caused by the influenza virus. It's passed on when people breathe in liquid droplets containing the virus that have been sneezed or coughed into the air, or when people touch objects contaminated with the virus. The symptoms, which include fever, headache, cough, sore throat and muscle aches, appear quickly.

Possible complications include pneumonia, which often needs hospital treatment, and death. The virus can cause infections all year round, but it's most common in the winter in the UK. Anyone can get the flu and the more a person is in close contact with people who have the virus, the more likely they are to get it.

Vaccinations
The UK is fortunate to have a safe and effective vaccination against the flu, which is provided free of charge by the NHS. It's recommended for those people at greatest risk of the harm the flu virus can cause.

People who are advised to have a flu vaccination include:

• everyone over the age of 65
• people of any age with lung disease (such as, asthma), heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes or lowered immunity
• anyone living in a residential or nursing home
• carers of those at risk of the complications of the flu

Those most at risk are advised to have a vaccination every year. This is because the flu virus changes slightly every year. Scientists work hard to predict which types will be around and develop vaccines to fight them.

Despite popular belief, the flu vaccination can't give someone the flu as it doesn't contain the active virus needed to do this. It's true that some people experience symptoms of a heavy cold at the same time or just after they've had the flu jab. This is simply a coincidence and the symptoms are usually caused by one of the many common cold viruses that are around in the autumn and winter. Remember, it's still possible to suffer heavy colds after vaccination, as the flu jab only protects people from the flu virus, not other viruses.

The flu vaccination (วัคซีนไข้หวัดใหญ่) is available from around October each year. Anyone who thinks they need it should talk to their doctor or nurse.

Reducing your risk
The best way to avoid getting flu is to keep your immune system strong by eating a healthy diet, taking regular exercise, getting enough rest and relaxation and not smoking.
You should also avoid people who are coughing and sneezing, especially if they're not covering their mouth and nose.

Cold or flu?
Flu strikes suddenly and affects the whole body. One minute you're happy at work, the next you've been knocked for six and are too ill to do anything. It lasts for about seven days and generally leaves you feeling exhausted for weeks afterwards.

It's different from the common cold, in which the symptoms tend to come on gradually, usually affecting only the nose, throat, sinuses and upper chest. When someone has a cold, they're still able to get about and usually recover fully after about a week.

Treatment
These are the best ways to treat the symptoms of flu:

• Take plenty of rest. The body uses a lot of energy fighting infections, so resting for the first couple of days gets it off to a good start.
• Keep warm.
• Make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
• Take paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen to lower a high temperature and relieve headaches and muscles aches.
• Drink hot water with lemon, ginger and honey.
• Antibiotics are of no use in fighting flu. Medication is available from the GP for some people in at-risk groups who develop flu.
• Advice on suitable remedies is available from your local pharmacist. Always contact your doctor if you're not getting better after a few days, if you're unduly short of breath or if you're coughing up blood or large amounts of yellow or green phlegm.

Take Care all Yourself before travel.
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