What is the flu?
Influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory virus that primarily affects your nose, throat, and lungs. As a highly contagious respiratory illness, the flu can spread through your community quickly. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against influenza is to visit Osteopathic Medical Associates of Nevada for a flu vaccine once a year.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Flu symptoms can range from mild to severe. The illness affects everyone differently and is especially dangerous for immunocompromised individuals, such as young children and older adults. Some of the most common symptoms of the flu include:
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
Unlike the common cold, flu symptoms tend to develop suddenly and can worsen rapidly within days.
What causes the flu?
The flu primarily spreads through air droplets and can infect individuals when left on surfaces or objects. Most people contract influenza by coming in contact with others who have the flu. Sneezing, coughing, or simply speaking with others can spread the flu virus.
Certain risk factors can also raise your chances of experiencing flu complications if you contract the virus, including:
- Age (being younger than five or older than 65)
- Excess weight
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Long-term steroid use
- Kidney or liver disease
Flu strains tend to change each year. As a result, previously having the flu doesn’t necessarily protect you from contracting it in the future.
What is the flu vaccine?
The annual flu vaccine is the best preventive measure to protect against influenza each year. There are four main flu strains that typically spread in the United States. Every year, researchers use comprehensive data to determine the most common strain at the time. The vaccine includes dead or weakened forms of the virus to trigger your body’s immune system.
When your immune system comes in contact with the virus, it creates antibodies to protect you against the flu in the future.
What are the treatments for the flu?
If you have the flu, you should stay home to prevent spreading the virus. Rest and hydration are essential to overcome the illness. Over-the-counter (OTC) flu medicines may help reduce your symptoms, but prescription antiviral treatments are also available.
Osteopathic Medical Associates of Nevada offers same-day appointments and walk-ins for those who need prompt treatment. To learn more, call the clinic, or schedule an appointment online today.
