Influenza (Flu)
Influenza, commonly known as “the flu“, is an infectious disease caused by an influenza virus. Symptoms can be mild to severe. The most common symptoms include: a high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, coughing, and feeling tired.
SymptomsTreatmentsPreventionPart of: Viral Infections
About the Flu
People often talk about having the flu (influenza) when they come down with a cold. Yet the two illnesses progress in very different ways and also typically have different signs and symptoms.
Colds are much more common than the flu. They also start quite slowly, while the viruses that cause the flu strike quickly and cause more severe symptoms, even in people who are otherwise quite healthy. The flu makes you feel very ill very quickly. A cold does not usually cause any serious harm, and is over within a week with or without treatment. It is a good idea to see a doctor if you have the flu, and it may take some time before you fully recover.
Cold and flu treatments mainly aim to relieve symptoms. The only medicines available that fight directly against the flu viruses can at most reduce the time someone is ill. But a number of things can be done to avoid infection in the first place… Read more about Influenza