Flu: symptoms, duration, tips on prevention and vaccination

The symptoms of the flu are very similar to the common cold. However, there are a few differences that can be used to identify influenza. We have summarized the most important information about the duration and the symptoms here.

Influenza: an overview of the symptoms

The flu symptoms differ from person to person. Typical of the influenza caused by viruses, however, are suddenly occurring, high fever and chills as well as a pronounced feeling of illness. Other symptoms that are very similar to those of a cold can include:

• cough,
• Head and Body aches,
• Sore throat,
• Earache,
• sniffles,
• Nausea,
• Vomit,
• diarrhea,
• red eyes,
• Exhaustion
• high sensitivity to bright light.

The flu not only has different symptoms, but can also have different effects: Many people perceive the flu only as a severe cold or interpret the headache and body aches as a migraine. 80 percent of influenza cases go undetected.

Note: Pregnant women, children and the elderly should seek medical advice if symptoms of influenza are severe and persistent. The body is particularly susceptible to other illnesses during the flu because the immune system is weakened. Common complications are for example Pneumonia or otitis media.

How long does the flu last?

The high fever usually lasts for about three days at. Thereafter the fever drops slow. If it should rise again sharply in the following days, then go to a: r family doctor: in.

However, there are also flu courses without a fever. The flu then mainly manifests itself through Cold and / or gastrointestinal symptoms.

In both cases it lasts between five and seven daysuntil the symptoms of the flu have completely resolved. There are also drugs for risk groups that prevent the influenza viruses from multiplying. However, they are not necessary for patients without previous illnesses.

Note: Influenza viruses are transmitted by droplet infection. You are contagious for about as long as you have flu symptoms (around seven days). You can be contagious even before the first symptoms.

Preventing Influenza: What Can I Do?

There are a few things you can do to prevent you from getting the flu in the first place:

• Avoid infection: Since the flu viruses are transmitted by droplet infection, you should always take good care of them wash your hands. Also, avoid putting your hands over your mouth, eyes, and nose (near the mucous membranes) if you haven’t washed them beforehand.
• Ventilate regularly: Flu viruses can get into the air just by speaking. Therefore, for example, you should ventilate the room once an hour for about five minutes in the office. That Burst ventilation significantly reduces the flu virus and lowers the risk of infection.
• strengthen your immune system: Eating a lot of fruit and vegetables is important for the immune system in the cold flu months of January and February. You should also drink a lot to keep the mucous membranes moist.
• Flu shot: Vaccines are developed against the latest flu viruses every year. The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends people over the age of 60 and risk groups to get vaccinated against flu. You can also get advice from your family doctor about this.

By the way: In the summer, viruses can be the so-called Summer flu cause.

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