The Flu season is
just about to start. In the United States and the countries of the Northern
hemisphere, including our country, the flu season extends between October and
May. While some of us might get a mild form of the flu, others might experience
various degrees of severity, including hospitalization and in extreme cases
death1. In this post, HINT will provide you with all you need to know
about the flu disease.
What causes the flu? How is it spread?
The flu is caused by the influenza A and B viruses. We usually catch the flu through droplets released by infected people when they cough, sneeze, or talk. We can also catch the flu after touching a surface invaded by the flu viruses and then touching our mouth, eyes, or nose. It is important to know that we can catch the flu from infected people as early as 1 day before they manifest the flu symptoms and up to 5-7 days after they are sick. Young children, those who are severely ill, and those who have severely weakened immune systems may be able to infect others for longer than 5-7 days2.
Is it the flu (grippe) or the common cold (rhume)? What's the difference?
It is common during this season to hear people saying that they have the flu as soon as they have a sore throat or a blocked nose. Do all these people have the flu? Or is it the common cold?
As we have mentioned previously, the flu (grippe) is caused by the influenza viruses. Common cold (rhume) is also a viral infection; however, it is caused by different viruses, mainly the rhinovirus. Common cold affects the nose and throat and is spread by the same way the flu spreads3.
As for the symptoms, below is an easy guide to help you differentiate between the flu and the common cold4,5.
What causes the flu? How is it spread?
The flu is caused by the influenza A and B viruses. We usually catch the flu through droplets released by infected people when they cough, sneeze, or talk. We can also catch the flu after touching a surface invaded by the flu viruses and then touching our mouth, eyes, or nose. It is important to know that we can catch the flu from infected people as early as 1 day before they manifest the flu symptoms and up to 5-7 days after they are sick. Young children, those who are severely ill, and those who have severely weakened immune systems may be able to infect others for longer than 5-7 days2.
Is it the flu (grippe) or the common cold (rhume)? What's the difference?
It is common during this season to hear people saying that they have the flu as soon as they have a sore throat or a blocked nose. Do all these people have the flu? Or is it the common cold?
As we have mentioned previously, the flu (grippe) is caused by the influenza viruses. Common cold (rhume) is also a viral infection; however, it is caused by different viruses, mainly the rhinovirus. Common cold affects the nose and throat and is spread by the same way the flu spreads3.
As for the symptoms, below is an easy guide to help you differentiate between the flu and the common cold4,5.
Now
that we know what the flu really is, how it is spread, and how it differs from
common cold, HINT urges you to protect yourself and those around you. If you
have any doubt you have catched the flu or the common cold please refer to your
physician for prompt action.
To protect yourself and those around you, the CDC* advises the flu vaccine and hygienic measures as major preventive actions against the flu. What about them?
Relax, HINT will provide you with all what you need to know about these preventive measures in the next post.
Stay tuned.
* CDC: Centers for Disease Prevention and Control
References:
1. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
2. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm
3. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/basics/definition/con-20019062
4. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm
5. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/basics/symptoms/con-20019062
