Flu (influenza) - symptoms and causes

                 Flu (influenza) - symptoms and causes

What is Flu? This question came from the topic What is Flu? The answer is Flu is caused by a virus. Learn about the symptoms of flu.

 Flu is a contagious disease that causes fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, vomiting, chills, rash, fatigue and diarrhea. Viruses cause nearly every respiratory illness such as cold, influenza (flu), rhinovirus and pneumonia.

 

 It affects humans, animals, plants and bacteria. There are three types of viruses: DNA, RNA and protein. And they all come in two shapes: spherical and rod shaped.

Flu causes

1. Influenza A virus (IAV)

 This virus is actually a subtype of influenza B virus. IAVs have been around since ancient times, but recently, they have mutated and become more deadly than ever before. There are three types of flu viruses that may cause illness in humans—influenza type A, B, and C. Type A and B are responsible for seasonal epidemics. Type C is less prevalent and tends to circulate only at low levels. In the past 20 years alone, these viruses have caused some of the deadliest pandemics in human history and continue to do so each year.

 2. Pandemic H1N1

 In 2009, a new strain of swine flu was discovered. The virus had never been previously seen in pigs, birds, or humans. So far, its spread has not been widespread, but it does pose a great threat given the ease of transmission between people. This swine flu virus came out of Mexico and was named pandemic H1N1 after the combination of two words—"pandemic"—meaning widespread, and "swine flu," referring to the fact that it originated in pigs.

 3. Avian Flu

 The avian flu virus emerged in 2003. Unlike the swine flu virus, the avian flu virus comes from birds and is commonly known as bird flu. As of 2017, no country has reported cases of the virus becoming epidemic, but many researchers believe that if it were to mutate and become highly contagious, it could result in a global public health crisis. If it were to emerge today, it would likely be in Southeast Asia or Latin America. However, if it were to develop a high level of transmissibility, it could easily spread globally, especially considering how interconnected our world has become today.

 4. SARS-CoV-2

 SARS-CoV-19 was first identified in December 2019 and is believed to originate from Wuhan city, China. It is related to the coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Like SARS, SARS-CoV‑2 also spreads mainly via droplets released through sneezing and coughing. After the initial discovery, the number of cases continued to rise. By January 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. At current rates, experts expect over 17 million infections worldwide.

Flu symptoms

1. Headaches

 Headaches are often caused by sinus infections, allergies, or even tension-related headaches. If you have been experiencing headaches, it's best to consult your doctor if they don't go away naturally within two weeks. You can help ease headaches by using natural remedies, including drinking plenty of water, eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acid (like salmon), and taking probiotics.

 2. Nausea

 Nausea may be brought on by any number of factors, including stress, food poisoning, pregnancy, or motion sickness. There are many different types of medication available to relieve nausea, including antiemetic drugs like Prochlorperazine and Phenobarbital, serotonin receptor antagonists like Metoclopramide, and dopamine receptor agonists like Domperidone. However, these medications tend to cause side effects.

 3. Vomiting

 Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents from the mouth area. While vomiting is normal, it should not occur repeatedly without warning or accompanied by diarrhea. In addition to causing discomfort, vomiting may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

 4. Diarrhea

 Diarrhea is characterized by frequent bowel movements, which may be loose or liquid, along with abdominal cramping. Most people experience occasional bouts of diarrhea throughout their lives, but severe cases are usually associated with viral gastroenteritis or bacterial dysentery. Antibiotic treatment can help reduce the duration and severity of diarrheal symptoms.

 5. Constipation

 Constipation occurs when the feces remain in the colon for longer than usual, resulting in hard stools that feel difficult to pass. Constipation can be uncomfortable and painful, especially when impacted, and may result in bleeding or a prolapsed rectum.

 6. Fainting spells

 Fainting is the temporary loss of consciousness due to decreased blood flow to the brain. Symptoms of fainting may include dizziness, weakness, headache, tingling sensations, confusion, numbness, blurred vision, slurred speech, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. People who faint often report feeling warm or hot, sweating, and having difficulty breathing.

 7. Coughing

 Coughing is the act of producing mucous from the lungs. A cough can vary in intensity from mild to violent and may be dry or productive. Dry coughing is defined as clearing respiratory secretions without bringing them up from the throat. Productive coughing is when secretions are coughed up from the lungs.