How to recognize the flu | Symptoms, treatment and vaccination

The flu has accompanied humanity since time immemorial and Hippocrates already wrote about it. The first flu epidemic described in detail was the one that came from Asia to Europe in 1580. Probably the most famous Spanish flu killed up to fifty million people in 1918 and 1919.

Unfortunately, people die from it to this day – it is estimated that it kills around two thousand people every year in our country alone. That’s why it pays to know as much as possible about the flu!

Very often, patients confuse the flu with a cold. A cold comes on more slowly, usually without significant temperatures, accompanied by a stuffy nose and runny nose, sore throat. You can tell the flu from another winter virus quite easily: during the standard course of the flu, you can’t get over it, because you can barely crawl to the toilet. It kills you very quickly and dramatically about 1-4 days after infection. “The onset of the flu is usually sudden and violent and high fevers up to 40 °C accompanied by chills. Scratching in the throat begins, dry and irritating cough. The most prominent are headaches, muscle and joint pains, which are very debilitating and exhausting,” says general practitioner Michal Lazák.

Influenza can also have completely atypical symptoms, especially in children and the elderly. “For them, the course is much worse, and for seniors, it can complicate their chronic diseases so much that they can die as a result of the flu,” warns general practitioner Igor Karen. People with heart disease, diabetics and asthmatics. The disease may not be manifested by fever and cough, but perhaps by confusion, apathy, or even sudden heart failure. It can also cause severe pneumonia or brain inflammation.

Influenza is spread by droplets of mucus and saliva, which are released into the air during sneezing, coughing and normal talking. The flu virus spreads quickly in the body, but it can last for several days outside the body – for example, on the handle or handrail of a bus, from where you transfer it to your face or mouth (for example, when you eat a hot dog on the street).

Since the virus is usually transmitted by inhalation, a mask can help in prevention, limiting stay in closed spaces where there are many people, and correct hand washing against virus transmission from objects. Staying away from those who splurge, however, does not guarantee that you will stay healthy. You can also get infected from a person who is infected, but whose symptoms have not yet erupted, or who have suppressed them with medication. It is also important strengthen immunity.

Doctors still consider vaccination before the onset of the main flu season, ie until December, to be the best prevention. The vaccine takes approximately 14 days. “Revaccination is necessary every year, because other virus subtypes appear and last year’s vaccine might not work on them. That’s why its composition is adjusted before each season,” explains Aleš Ducháček from the Synlab dispensary.

If you get the flu and you are not among the chronically ill, you do not need to go to the doctor right away. Bed rest with limited physical exertion is essential – not only during treatment, but for at least 14 days afterwards.

“Treatment focuses mainly on alleviating symptoms – temperature, pain and fatigue. Over-the-counter antipyretics, which are medicines to lower the temperature, will provide immediate relief. They are available in the form of tablets or syrups or as a hot drink, which also contributes to sufficient fluid intake,” specifies Michal Lazák. An increased intake of vitamin C is recommended, so add lemon to every tea or buy vitamin C at the pharmacy and take it daily for at least the duration of the treatment.

Over-the-counter medicines intended for the treatment of flu symptoms usually contain paracetamol (Paralen, Panadol, Coldrex, Paramax, Acifein, Migralgin, Valetol…), which is a good servant but a bad master. It works against fever and pain, but in larger doses it causes liver failure and death. If you follow the recommended dosage, you are not in any danger, but be careful: do not take more medicines with paracetamol at the same time, because that is how you could overdose. Also watch out for contraindications and interactions with other medicines – therefore read the package leaflet very carefully.

However, most medicines to reduce temperature are not suitable for patients with high blood pressure, damaged liver or kidneys, or with glaucoma, these people should see a doctor in any case if they have the flu.

In 10 to 20% of cases, the flu develops into a secondary bacterial infection, which can lead to bronchitis or pneumoniainflammation of the pericardium or heart muscle. Only then are antibiotics prescribed, which do not affect the flu viruses themselves. You should see a doctor if the flu does not subside within a week or if it has a severe course. It is definitely not a good idea to cross it, it is very important to stay in bed – lie down, even if you feel a little relieved!