There's no escaping it, not unless you live on another planet. So you need to be prepared for it when it strikes. Happily for you, it's not hard to miss the signs - a runny nose, watery eyes, a low to high-grade fever, an aching body and a scratchy throat. We are talking about flu. Medical experts call it influenza. No matter what you call it, you feel miserable when you have it. However, with a little bit of care you can keep healthy and sane when all around you people are in paroxysms of sneezing and coughing.
Dr Prithvijit Debnath, general physician, Internal & Family Medicine - Lifeline Medical and Day Surgery Centre, Mankhool, Dubai - gives you the lowdown on this seasonal affliction.
What is flu and what are the symptoms?
Flu is technically called ‘influenza'. It is caused by an infection with influenza viruses and affects primarily the respiratory system, consisting of adenoids, tonsils, throat, and airway tubes - trachea, bronchus and most importantly, the lungs. The illness is accompanied by common systemic signs and symptoms involving these organs, but has the potential to get more complicated, if not treated properly and at the right time. Influenza outbreaks occur every season with different extents of severity in different parts of the world. Such outbreaks can cause significant ill health in the general population and increased death rates among high-risk patients - mainly as a result of lung and associated respiratory system-related problems.
There will be mild fever accompanied by a headache, a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, a cough and body pain. In extreme cases this short-term illness may cause wheezing. The eyes have a burning sensation, mild redness and watering.
Should I take OTC medicines or should I visit a doctor?
It's always advisable to get the opinion of a qualified doctor early in the illness - especially in the UAE. There is a sizable expatriate population and a large number of tourists, who bring different strains of influenza viruses into the country. In some instances, over-the-counter (OTC) treatment may be effective, but very often, a delay in getting proper treatment may make the flu worse. Remember, correct initial dosages and choice of medicines are decided as per the local prevalence of strains of virus, and are best prescribed by a practising doctor. The early signs help the doctor to differentiate between the different types of flu - swine flu, avian (bird flu) or the regular flu strain.
In the case of delayed treatment, the patient may develop common complications like sinusitis or mixed viral-bacterial pneumonia.
Are antibiotics required?
Antibiotics are not needed in flu as it is a disease caused by a virus. In case the illness continues for more than a few days without any signs of clinical improvement (in spite of using the supportive managements and anti-virals), chances of secondary bacterial pneumonia are strong, and only then are antibiotics added to the list of medication.
How can one avoid flu?
Strictly speaking it's very difficult to keep away from the flu virus. We can minimise the possibilities of contracting it. Avoid the sharing of articles like using the same utensils for eating and drinking; touching one another by way of greeting or shaking hands; touching the same chair, table or doorknobs; etc. Even sneezing can transmit the virus. So if you see a person showing signs of nasal secretions and coughing, keep away!
What if my child gets it? What precautions should I take?
The precautions are similar, but may be difficult to follow. A child's immune system is underdeveloped and that's why physicians class them as a high-risk group. They are also exposed to a larger group or community in school, and playing with other children in the playground makes them more vulnerable to catching flu. This is why one should strictly follow the vaccination protocol, and if necessary, discuss with teachers. In the case of a flu outbreak, the child should avoid attending classes for a few days. I recommend using face masks as well.
If there are young children at home and one of them is already suffering, then it's very difficult to segregate the other children. Enforce the need for common, but essential health precautions, which go a long way in preventing viral diseases. Make sure that the affected child washes his/her hands before and after eating, and does not share meals and utensils with others in the family. He/she should also preferably sleep in a different area secluded from the usual sleeping area.
How should I conduct myself at work?
Always cover your face with disposable tissue paper especially when coughing or sneezing. Avoid directly cupping your hands around your mouth as your hands will accumulate the virus. In situations of severe community influenza outbreaks, using a face mask is beneficial. Use a tissue to hold infected teacups or other utensils. Always wash hands before and after coming in contact with an infected person. Do that after coughing or clearing your nose.
Should I wear extra layers of clothing?
Exposure to cold air itself doesn't cause flu as it is caused by the flu virus. Remember, viruses spread much more efficiently in dry and cold air. Wearing warm clothes will make you more comfortable and give a sense of well-being. In the UAE, there are more cases of flu in winter because of the dry and cold air, which facilitates the spread of the virus. On the other hand, the lack of cold weather makes tropical countries more vulnerable to the disease during the rains.
At what stage does flu become contagious?
The event of transmission is when the respiratory membranes become infected by the flu virus from the secretions of an infected person. It usually starts with the replication of the virus in the body, which happens in four to six hours. Gradually within the next 18 to 72 hours, the disease starts showing the initial symptoms. The transmission is also by air droplet particles generated in the cough of an infected person and also by contact of objects touched by others. More than a day should pass without any fever to consider the patient to be non-contagious.
Feed a cold, starve a fever. What's the truth behind this?
To date no conclusive support has been shown in favour of this old dictum. When you are already ill, your immune system needs increased support. Eating healthily is always beneficial because it provides more energy and vitamins. Drink a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration.
What about the old myths about not eating ice cream or drinking something cold if you have flu or a cold?
There is no conclusive scientific evidence regarding this. Remember that the flu virus is activated in low temperatures so cold drinks and ice cream can actually make it more severe. Some local allergic reactions to the sudden lowering of temperature can cause coughing and a sore throat. This is why physicians advise you to avoid them when you have the flu.
Q&A
What is the flu vaccine? Who can benefit from it?
According to Dr Debnath, the influenza vaccines help reduce the duration and severity of the infection. They also minimise the development of signs and symptoms of flu.
Flu shots (or vaccines) should be given every year - mostly in the autumn. This is just before the start of the flu season, and so it helps maintain the immunity levels against the present strains of the virus.
There are primarily two types of flu shots - inactivated and live attenuated. The ‘inactivated vaccine' is produced from the prevalent flu strains of the previous season. However, individuals sensitive or allergic to eggs should not be given this vaccine. The ‘live attenuated vaccine' is approved for all between the age of five and 49. It is administered as an intranasal spray. It is prepared from an assortment of currently circulating strains of the flu virus.
A word of caution: during any active viral illness, wait for at least two weeks before you have the flu vaccine.
Is it true that a flu shot can cause flu?
"Very few people show side effects of the inactivated virus in the form of a mild fever. However, this lasts for around a day," says Dr Debnath.
Know this...
Difference between the common cold and flu:
Flu is more severe in its intensity and takes more time to mature than the common cold. Flu can cause complications in the lungs (pneumonia and other diseases of the lower tracts of respiratory system), while a cold is limited to the upper part of the respiratory systems (ears, nose, throat and eyes).
Flu is preventable to a very large extent by vaccination, but for a cold, it is almost completely ineffective. In a lot of ways, both diseases show very similar disease patterns. A sore throat, exhaustion, headache, sneezing and coughing are common symptoms. This is why it is so important to seek expert opinion and get the right treatment.
- Ritu Raizada is Lifestyle Features Coordinator, Friday
