Influenza (the flu) is a common, infectious virus spread by infected droplets, these droplets extract from coughing and by sneezing or then by touching infected Person that enter another person’s body. The virus from here takes hold and begins to develop and spared everywhere who comes to contact with that infected person or place touched by an infected person.
The flu spreads across the United States each year. The primary season of the flu is Winter with a peak in February. But you can be infected with the flu any time of the year even in the peak hot weather. For instance, if you take a bath with cold water in hot summer sudden change in body temperature may cause flu but for a short time.
Virus of flu exist every time. Researchers and doctors determine which strains of the virus will be most common each year. Those strains then help to produce vaccines because the vaccine is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent a flu infection.
Is there medication for the flu?
Medications called “antiviral” drugs can help you to treat the flu. For medications, you must visit a doctor or healthcare provider to receive a prescription because these are only available by prescription. You can’t buy these medications at a pharmacy without a proper prescription of the doctor.
The flu can take 1-week cure or treat and these antiviral medications shorten the length of the flu by a day or two. Taking antiviral medications may help but these medications also have side effects.
Antiviral medications are important for people at high risk for developing complications from the flu which includes children under age 2 to 5, adults above 65, pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions or having a weak immune systems.
Research suggests that if you take antiviral medications within 48 hours of having symptoms it works best. But don’t worry If you miss that, you may still see a benefit from taking the medicine later. Taking antiviral medications may help protect you against flu complications like pneumonia and other infections.
What causes the flu?
The flu is a virus named influenza that can be spread in several ways. Means, you can pick up the virus from an infected person near you with his/her sneezes, coughs, or talks. Or by touching any place or surface touched by an infected person having the flu. You should use face masks to cover your nose and wear gloves especially in the winter season or in flu season, Mask helps you not only from the flu virus but also protects you from Cold. Both healthy and an infected person should wash their hands regularly in the flu season.
The virus can also live on surface or place for two to eight hours like a door handle or a keyboard, if you touch the same surface, you could get the virus. Virus on your hand can enter your body by touching your mouth, eyes, or nose. Therefore it is important for an infected person to cover his nose with tissue paper especially with face masks or wear medical gloves to stop spreading the virus to others like fellows or friends in contact.
Yes! you can vaccinate against the flu. An annual flu vaccine prepares your body for exposure to the virus. But as the flu viruses are changing and morphing, you need the flu shot every year which helps you by activating your immune system to make antibodies against particular strains of the virus.
After receiving the flu shot it’s still possible to get the flu if you come into contact with other strains of the virus. But it is much less severe your symptoms than if you hadn’t had the vaccine at all. Because different flu virus shares common elements (called cross-protection), which means that the flu vaccine is able to work against them, too.
Where can I get a flu shot?
Most doctors’ offices carry the vaccine, but you can also get the vaccine at walk-in medical clinics, pharmacies, county or city health departments and college health centres.
Some schools and employers also offer flu shot clinics on site. Many of the begin promoting flu vaccines as flu season reaches. To encourage you to receive your vaccine some even offer incentives such as coupons.
If you still can’t find a flu shot provider, use online flu shot locator like the Flu Vaccine Finder or the HealthMap Vaccine Finder. These websites list phone numbers, and hours of operation.
Flu shot for kids, what is important for you to know?
Hundreds of thousands of children get sick from the influenza virus each year. Some of these illnesses are such serious that require hospitalization and some even result in death.
Children are weaker than adults and have a high risk to get infected and become serious condition therefore we should do extra cares for children who are sick from the flu. For instance, children under the age of 2 to 5 years old are more likely to need medical treatment for the flu. It is more complicated for children under age two. The flu may be worse, if your child has a chronic medical condition, like asthma or diabetes. You should immediately concern to your doctor if your child has been exposed to the flu or shows flu symptoms.
Flu vaccine is the best way to protect your children against flu infection. For that purpose, you should Vaccinate your children against the infection each year. Doctors also recommend to vaccinate your children for flu, who starting at six months old.
Influenza vaccines are available in injections form. First concerns with your children’s doctor before they get vaccines if such child has some other disease too. Carelessness may cause serious problems.
Moreover, some children between 6 months age to 8 years of age need two doses for protection against the virus. If your children are receiving a vaccine for the first time, they will likely need two doses but after the recommendation of your child’s doctor.
If your child only received one dose in the flu season prior, they may need two doses this flu season. Ask your child’s doctor how many doses your child needs.
Actually, children under 6 months of age are too young for a flu vaccine, so to protect them first you have to make sure the people around them get vaccinated. This includes family members and care providers.
Click Here to know about the Symptoms and Treatments of Flu (Influenza virus)
Click Here to know about the Symptoms and Treatments of Flu (Influenza virus)
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