Flu: how not to get sick, how to treat it correctly and why you should not ignore it

• What is flu and why is it dangerous
• How to distinguish flu from ARVI: main differences
• 8 most common flu myths that people still believe
• Flu symptoms: when you need to see a doctor urgently
• Risk groups: who is most threatened by flu
• Flu complications: why you should not ignore the disease
• Flu prevention: what really works
• Flu vaccination: when, for whom and why
• Contraindications to flu vaccination
• How to properly treat flu: recommendations from "Ala Atlantis" doctors
• When you need to call a doctor at home or go to the hospital
• Why you should contact "Ala Atlantis" in Dnipro

Almost everyone has had the flu. And every person has their own time-tested method of treatment. However, many of these “folk” methods not only do not help, but can seriously harm. Flu is not just a “bad cold”. It is an acute viral infection that every year causes thousands of hospitalizations and even deaths, especially among people with weakened immunity.

The flu virus spreads especially actively in the cold season. Low temperature, high humidity and snow create ideal conditions for its reproduction. It quickly attacks the weakened human immune system, which is further weakened by cold, lack of vitamins and stress. Once in the body, the virus destroys protective barriers and can cause serious complications.

In this article we will analyze how to distinguish flu from ordinary ARVI, what myths about flu still live among people, what symptoms require immediate medical attention, how to properly treat the disease and how to effectively protect yourself from it.

What is flu and why is it dangerous

Flu is an acute infectious disease caused by influenza viruses types A, B and C. The most dangerous are types A and B; they constantly mutate and cause seasonal epidemics.

Unlike ARVI, flu develops rapidly. The virus penetrates the cells of the respiratory mucosa, multiplies quickly and releases toxins that poison the entire body. That is why with flu a person feels strong intoxication: high fever, body aches, headache and weakness.

The particular danger of flu lies in its complications. The virus can affect not only the respiratory system, but also the heart, blood vessels, nervous system, kidneys and joints. The most common complications:

• pneumonia (viral or bacterial)
• bronchitis and bronchiolitis
• otitis and sinusitis
• myocarditis and pericarditis
• meningitis and encephalitis
• exacerbation of chronic diseases (asthma, diabetes, heart failure)

How to distinguish flu from ARVI: main differences

ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection):

• Develops gradually
• Temperature usually does not exceed 38 °C
• Catarrhal symptoms predominate: runny nose, sore throat, cough
• General intoxication is weak
• Duration — 3–7 days
• A person often continues to lead an active lifestyle

Flu:

• Onset is acute, often sudden
• Temperature rises sharply to 38.5–40 °C
• Severe intoxication: headache, muscle and joint aches, sharp weakness
• Catarrhal phenomena appear later (on day 2–3)
• Duration — 7–14 days or more
• A person feels “broken”, often lies down

8 most common flu myths that people still believe

Myth 1. You can get flu after vaccination

No, it is impossible to get flu from the vaccine. The vaccine contains either killed viruses or their fragments. If a person gets sick after vaccination, it is either another virus (ARVI) or the vaccination was done too late and immunity has not yet had time to form (it takes 2 weeks).

Myth 2. Young and healthy people have nothing to fear from flu

This is not true. Even a healthy person can suffer a severe form of flu with complications. In addition, they can become a source of infection for people in risk groups (elderly, children, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases).

Myth 3. Flu is accompanied by stomach disorders

“Stomach flu” is not flu. This is a term mistakenly used for rotavirus or norovirus infection. True flu almost never causes nausea and diarrhea.

Myth 4. Pregnant women cannot be vaccinated against flu

On the contrary — pregnant women are recommended to be vaccinated first. The vaccine is safe at any stage of pregnancy. Flu during pregnancy can lead to serious complications for both mother and fetus.

Myth 5. If you wash your hands often, flu is not scary

Hand washing is important, but not enough. The flu virus is transmitted by airborne droplets. The main risk is inhaling the virus from a sick person.

Myth 6. If you already have the flu, the vaccine will not help

The vaccine does not treat, it protects. If you get sick after vaccination, the disease usually proceeds more mildly, and the risk of complications is significantly lower.

Myth 7. Antibiotics treat flu

Antibiotics act only on bacteria. Flu is a viral infection. Antibiotics are prescribed only for bacterial complications (pneumonia, otitis, etc.).

Myth 8. Flu causes Alzheimer’s disease

There is no scientific evidence for such a connection. Flu can complicate the course of chronic neurological diseases, but is not their cause.

Flu symptoms: when you need to see a doctor urgently

Typical signs of flu:

• Sharp rise in temperature to 38.5–40 °C
• Severe headache and eye pain
• Aches in muscles and joints (“bones ache”)
• Severe weakness and feeling of being broken
• Dry cough, which may later become wet
• Sore throat, runny nose (appears later)

See a doctor immediately if:

• Temperature above 39.5 °C does not decrease after antipyretics
• Severe shortness of breath or chest pain appears
• Convulsions, loss of consciousness, confusion occur
• Symptoms do not improve on days 4–5 or worsen
• A child under 3 years old has a temperature above 38 °C

Risk groups: who is most threatened by flu

• Children under 5 years (especially under 2 years)
• People over 65 years
• Pregnant women
• Patients with chronic diseases (asthma, diabetes, heart failure, obesity, immunodeficiency)
• Medical workers

Flu complications: why you should not ignore the disease

The most dangerous ones:

• Viral or bacterial pneumonia
• Myocarditis and pericarditis
• Meningitis and encephalitis
• Exacerbation of chronic diseases
• Reye’s syndrome (in children when taking aspirin)

Flu prevention: what really works

1. Vaccination — the most effective protection method.
2. Hand washing and use of antiseptics.
3. Avoiding crowds during an epidemic.
4. Healthy lifestyle: full sleep, balanced nutrition, physical activity.
5. Air humidification in the room.
6. Taking vitamin D and vitamin C during the high-risk period (as recommended by a doctor).

Flu vaccination: when, for whom and why

It is recommended to get vaccinated every year, best in September–October.

Especially recommended for:

• Children from 6 months
• People over 60 years
• Pregnant women
• Patients with chronic diseases
• Medical workers
• Everyone who contacts a large number of people

Contraindications to flu vaccination

• Severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or its components
• Acute illness with high fever (vaccinate after recovery)
• Exacerbation of chronic diseases (vaccinate after stabilization of the condition)

How to properly treat flu: recommendations from "Ala Atlantis" doctors

1. Regimen: Bed or semi-bed rest for the first 3–5 days.
2. Drinking regimen: At least 2–2.5 liters of fluid per day (water, fruit drink, warm tea).
3. Antipyretics: Paracetamol or ibuprofen at temperature above 38.5 °C.
4. Symptomatic therapy: Saline solutions for nasal rinsing, air humidification, expectorants for wet cough.
5. Antiviral drugs: Oseltamivir or zanamivir — only as prescribed by a doctor in the first 48 hours.

Important: Antibiotics are not prescribed for flu unless there are bacterial complications.

When you need to call a doctor at home or go to the hospital

• Temperature above 39.5 °C that does not decrease
• Severe shortness of breath, blueness of lips and nails
• Confusion, convulsions
• Chest pain
• Inability to drink fluids due to severe weakness
• Sharp deterioration after temporary improvement

Why you should contact “Ala Atlantis” in Dnipro

• Experienced therapists and pediatricians
• Modern diagnostics (express tests, laboratory)
• Possibility to call a doctor at home
• Individual selection of treatment
• Comfortable conditions and affordable prices
• Full cycle: from diagnostics to rehabilitation

If you or your loved ones have the flu — do not self-medicate. Call 0 800 330 970 or book online. Our doctors will help you quickly make the correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.

Your health is in your hands. We will help you preserve it!