Flu (Influenza)

Influenza (flu) is a contagious viral infection that affects the lungs and can range from mild to severe, with the potential to lead to hospitalization or death. The flu is transmitted through airborne droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking, and by touching contaminated surfaces. It affects people of all ages and can cause significant health concerns, especially in vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure, while early antiviral treatment can help manage symptoms, shorten the illness duration, and prevent severe complications. In Mumbai, hospitals offer specialized flu treatment to help patients recover quickly and minimize risks associated with the flu.

What Is Flu (Influenza)?

Influenza, the flu, is an illness of the lungs caused by a group of viruses that can lead to mild to severe symptoms and serious health complications including hospitalization and even death. It’s a contagious disease affecting individuals of any age, from healthy children and adults to elderly people, thus being a significant public health problem.

How Is Flu (Influenza) Transmitted?

The flu spreads mainly through droplets that become airborne when infected persons cough, sneeze, or talk. It can be spread by touching surfaces or other items contaminated with the virus and then transferring the virus to the eyes, mouth, or nose. People can pass on the flu even before symptoms begin and up to seven days after becoming sick. The greatest contagious period is often during the first three days of illness.

How Common is Flu (Influenza)?

Flu is very common, affecting millions of people in the United States annually. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that during the 2023-2024 flu season, at least 34 million illnesses, 380,000 hospitalizations, and 17,000 deaths occurred from flu and complications from flu, including 199 pediatric deaths. Flu also poses an economic cost, $11.2 billion per year in direct and indirect costs.

The key factor that lowers flu is vaccination. The CDC has estimated that flu vaccination prevented at least 7.4 million flu-related illnesses, 3.7 million medical visits, 105,000 hospitalizations, and 3,500 deaths during the 2023-2024 respiratory season.

Symptoms

The symptoms of flu often start to occur suddenly and vary from one person to another. Here are some common symptoms associated with flu, which can be recalled using the word F.A.C.T.S.

Fever :- It is usually due to a high fever
Aches :- Muscle, body aches, as well as headaches
Chills :- Chills and sweating.
Tiredness :- Fatigue is severe while generally weak.
Sudden onset :- Symptoms usually have a sudden onset.
Sore Throat, runny, stuffy nose, as well as cough :- Such respiratory symptoms often occur concurrently with the illness.
Diarrhea and vomiting :- They are more common amongst children than adults.

Treatment

Vaccination remains the primary prevention against flu, with antiviral drugs being used in managing symptoms and the progression of the disease. Antiviral treatment should be initiated as soon as flu is suspected for those who are hospitalized, severely ill, or at a high risk for serious flu-related complications.

Anti-virals drugs may treat the symptoms and also shorten the time course of the illness by 1 to 2 days. They may prevent serious complications like pneumonia. Such drugs are effective when given within 48 hours at the onset of symptoms, but their use beyond that time is appropriate. Every patient’s and local flu activity situation will be considered in determining the management.