Influenza(flue).What is influenza and how is it different from the common cold?

 What is influenza?

Influenza, commonly known as flu, is a contagious, viral respiratory illness that usually infects the nose, throat, or lungs. It can pass easily from one person to another. Influenza, or the flu, is an infectious disease that is more severe than the common cold. Every year, people in NSW can have flu-related outbreaks. The time of year you can get the flu, but its effects are usually greater in the winter.

How does influenza spread?

The common method of spreading influenzais through droplets spread by an infected person. Experts suggest that this transmission can occur within a distance of at least six feet. Also, touching a surface carrying the influenza virus can cause infection. It can then be transferred from your hands, your mouth or nose, and sometimes through the eyes.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Symptoms of the flu usually come on quickly, and can include:

• Fever.

• Chills.

• Body aches.

• Cough.

• Headache.

• Sore throat.

• Runny or stuffy nose (congestion).

• Tiredness or feeling run down.

• Diarrhea or vomiting (usually only in kids).

You may not have all of these symptoms.

Cold symptoms:

Cold symptoms usually come on over the course of a couple of days.

Symptoms may include:

• Runny nose and sneezing.

• Red eyes.

• Sore throat and cough.

• Headache.

• Body aches.

Colds usually last 1 to 2 weeks. As the cold gets worse, your nose may get stuffy with thicker mucus.

You can catch a cold at any time of year, but they are more common in late winter and early spring.

Is it flu or cold symptoms?(difference between flue and common cold)

Flu symptoms often mimic cold symptoms with stuffy nose, cough, pain and discomfort. But the common cold rarely has symptoms of a fever over 101 degrees. Along with flu symptoms, you'll probably have a fever with the flu virus initially and feel miserable. Flu also causes body and muscle aches. While a cough is both a cold symptom and a flu symptom, the type of cough you experience is very different. The flu will cause a dry cough that does not produce mucus. But a cold often produces mucus, so a wet phlegm cough is common.

This symptom can help determine if you have cold or flu symptoms.

Complications of flue:

The flu virus itself can cause complications or it can weaken your immune system and allow bacteria to infect different parts of your body (secondary infection). Complications and secondary infections include:

• Ear infections.

• Sinus infections.

• Severe lung infection ( Pneumonia). Pneumonia can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) and other life-threatening conditions.

• Pregnancy loss (miscarriage).

How to cure flu fast naturally?

The best natural cold and flu remedie :

• Rest up

• Hydration. 

• Vitamin C.

• Honey and tea.

• Ginger

• Chicken soup

• Aromatherapy

• A steamy shower

• Gargling warm salt water

When do I call the doctor ?

1. persistent fever
2. Painful swallowing
3. Persistent coughing
4. Persistent congestion and headaches.

In children, additional signs of an emergency are:

• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing

• Bluish skin color

• Not drinking enough fluids

How can you prevent the flu?

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• While sneezing or coughing, the nose and mouth should be covered, instead of the bare hands, cough or sneeze into the elbow or a tissue.
• If someone is ill, you should avoid being around him
• Wear a mask if you cannot avoid being around others

ইনফ্লুয়েঞ্জা কি?কিভাবে বুঝবো সাধারণ সর্দি হয়েছে নাকি ইনফ্লুয়েঞ্জা?

What is influenza? How can I understand whether it is a common cold or influenza?

ইনফ্লুয়েঞ্জা, সাধারণত ফ্লু নামে পরিচিত, একটি সংক্রামক, ভাইরাল শ্বাসযন্ত্রের অসুস্থতা যা সাধারণত নাক, গলা বা ফুসফুসকে সংক্রমিত করে। এটা সহজেই একজনের থেকে আরেকজনের কাছে যেতে পারে। ইনফ্লুয়েঞ্জা বা ফ্লু হল একটি সংক্রামক রোগ যা সাধারণ সর্দি-কাশির থেকেও বেশি মারাত্মক।

ফ্লুর লক্ষণগুলি প্রায়শই সর্দি, কাশি, ব্যথা এবং অস্বস্তির সাথে ঠান্ডা উপসর্গগুলি অনুকরণ করে। কিন্তু সাধারণ সর্দি খুব কমই 101 ডিগ্রির বেশি জ্বরের লক্ষণ সৃষ্টি করে। ফ্লু উপসর্গ ছাড়াও, আপনার সম্ভবত ফ্লু ভাইরাসের সাথে প্রাথমিকভাবে জ্বর হবে এবং আপনি ক্লান্ত বোধ করবেন। এছাড়াও ফ্লু শরীর ও পেশীতে ব্যথা করে। যদিও একটি কাশি একটি ঠান্ডা উপসর্গ এবং একটি ফ্লু উপসর্গ উভয়ই, আপনি যে ধরনের কাশি অনুভব করেন তা খুব আলাদা। ফ্লু একটি শুষ্ক কাশি সৃষ্টি করবে যা শ্লেষ্মা তৈরি করে না। কিন্তু সর্দি প্রায়ই শ্লেষ্মা তৈরি করে। ফ্লুতে আক্রান্ত শিশুদের বমি ও ডায়রিয়ার উপসর্গও থাকতে পারে।

এই উপসর্গগুলি আপনার ঠান্ডা বা ফ্লু লক্ষণ আছে কিনা তা নির্ধারণ করতে সাহায্য করতে পারে।