As with the regular flu, seasonal flu is caused by a virus which infects your nose, lungs, sinuses and throat. There are three forms of the flu virus, known as type A, B or C. Type A is the most common form and also the most infectious, which leads to severe symptoms. Type B causes less serious symptoms, and type C is a mild infection which is akin to the common cold. This virus changes from year to year, and can even lead to an epidemic as it is extremely contagious. Because few people have immunity to the new virus, they become infected more easily. Generally, people recover from a flu virus within a week. However, older people, new-born babies, pregnant women and people with additional health problems should be more concerned, as flu can be dangerous to their health. Seasonal flu tends to affect people in the UK during the winter months, from December to March. Flu is characterised by a number of symptoms, including a fever, headache, sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, coughing, sore throat, chills, achey muscles, discomfort in the eyes (particularly in bright lights), and feeling exhausted. While most of these symptoms last for about a week, you may feel achey and tired for a few weeks after the main virus has left your body.
If you’re over the age of 65, pregnant, a child or have other health complications, your recovery from flu may be slower. You may also be at risk of other health concerns, which include problems with your lungs, such as pneumonia or bronchitis; chest conditions, such as asthma; middle ear infections; inflamed sinuses; seizures or fits, known as febrile convulsions, which are more common in children; inflammations in the brain, such as meningitis. If you have heart disease, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, or a long-term lung condition such as COPD, you’ll be more at risk of developing flu.
Most people are able to diagnose flu themselves without the need for a GP, but if you have chest pains or have difficulty swallowing or breathing, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible. The same can be said if your symptoms have lasted longer than a week, and have worsened rather than improved. If you have any of the conditions previously mentioned, you should also speak to your GP. As with the common cold, there is no cure for flu – there are ways you can improve your symptoms though and clear the infection more quickly. You should drink plenty of fluids so that you don’t risk becoming dehydrated. Steam inhalations with menthol may be useful for clearing congestion in your lungs, and hot drinks with lemon can ease the pain in your throat – you may find soup a more soothing alternative to your regular meals, as well. Menthol and eucalyptus can be great for easing a sore throat, so seek out lozenges with these ingredients in to calm a painful throat, and gargle with salt water to clear any infection in your throat as well. Lastly, plenty of rest is advised to give your body chance to recuperate. Painkillers can be useful to clear a headache or sinus pain, if you’re struggling with either of these symptoms. You can prevent seasonal flu by always carrying tissues and using them when you cough or sneeze to limit the spread of the virus, as well as throwing away those tissues immediately after you’ve used them. Basic hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly, can help to stop germs from spreading between people, and use household cleaning products, such as antibacterial wipes, to cleans surfaces and door handles.
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