Safety Moment
The influenza virus, also known as "flu," is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passage, which causes mild to severe illness.
Flu is different from a cold and usually comes on suddenly. People often feel some or all of the symptoms, which includes:
*It is important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
While influenza viruses are detected year-round in most countries, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter. Most experts believe that flu viruses spread by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. Cold weather increases the likelihood of people touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, which is a fast track for contracting the virus.
Although the symptoms for this virus are similar to that of the common cold, the effects can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Anyone can get the flu, even if you maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, some people are at a higher risk of developing flu complications if they get sick, including people 65 years and older, people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and pregnant women.
Some emergency warning signs of flu in adults are:
The flu is not only dangerous to adults, but to infants and children as well. Children younger than five years are at a higher risk of contracting flu and developing serious flu-related complications. Get medical help when children experience:
It is important to keep healthy habits in order to prevent the germs from spreading since the virus is so contagious. Below are some healthy habits to practice during cold weather or flu seasons:
It’s important to note that antiviral drugs are not a substitute for getting a flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent seasonal flu. Antiviral drugs are the second line of defense to treat seasonal flu and variant flu viruses if you get sick.