Flu
How many types of flu are there? Everything about how it spreads, its symptoms, and home remedies to alleviate them.
Symptoms and Causes
The flu is a contagious disease caused by the influenza virus, which spreads easily among people living in the same environment, such as families or school-aged children. This infection affects the respiratory system, particularly the throat and nose, and sometimes the bronchi and lungs.
Like all viral diseases, symptoms disappear on their own within seven to ten days after infection. Therefore, medication is not required to cure the flu, although symptoms are often treated.
Depending on the virus that causes the disease, there are four different types of flu:
- Flu A: Slightly more severe than other types; it is caused by a virus that can change and evolve, making it difficult to develop effective vaccines and treatments. It is also capable of causing pandemics such as the 1918 Spanish flu or the H1N1 flu of 2009.
- Flu B: Only affects humans. It is usually mild and easy to manage, although it lasts longer.
- Flu C: Rare and typically results in mild clinical cases similar to a common cold.
- Flu D: Affects animals, especially livestock, and is not usually prevalent in humans.
Although it is a mild disease, it can become very serious and potentially life-threatening for certain populations. Therefore, annual vaccination is recommended for high-risk individuals to minimize complications if they contract the disease, as vaccination does not always prevent infection.
Symptoms
The most common flu symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Chills
- Nasal congestion
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- General discomfort
Children may also experience diarrhea and vomiting.
Causes
The flu is caused by infection with the influenza virus, which spreads through airborne droplets when someone sneezes, coughs, or talks. It can also spread through droplets that land on surfaces and are later transferred to the mouth, nose, or eyes.
Risk Factors
Some factors that increase the risk of contracting the flu include living with infected individuals or having a weakened immune system.
Complications
The flu usually resolves within a few days without severe symptoms. However, it can lead to complications, especially in:
- Children under two years old
- Adults over 65
- Pregnant women
- People with obesity
- Patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes, metabolic disorders, heart conditions, or lung diseases
In these cases, the flu can lead to bronchitis, breathing difficulties, or pneumonia. Pneumonia can be life-threatening for at-risk patients.
Prevention
To prevent the flu, maintaining good hygiene—especially frequent handwashing—is essential. Limiting contact with infected individuals and avoiding crowded places can also help.
Additionally, annual flu vaccination is useful in protecting high-risk groups.
Which Doctor Treats the Flu?
Pediatricians and general practitioners diagnose and treat the flu.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing the flu is usually straightforward, as a physical examination and an assessment of the patient’s symptoms are generally sufficient.
In some cases, additional tests may be performed to determine the specific type of virus causing the illness.
Treatment
As with most viral infections, the flu resolves on its own without the need for pharmacological treatment. Rest and proper hydration are effective measures to shorten the duration of the illness and prevent complications.
Antipyretics or analgesics may be taken to relieve pain, discomfort, or fever. For high-risk cases or those with severe symptoms, antiviral flu medications can be used to target the influenza virus specifically.
