Synonyms
Influenza, real flu, viral flu
Introduction
In up to 80 percent of cases, influenza goes unnoticed or is perceived as a mild cold. In the remaining cases, where the infection with the influenza virus actually causes symptoms, the course of the flu illness is often severe. This mainly affects susceptible and weakened individuals, such as the elderly or the chronically ill.
The symptoms usually appear suddenly and the illness usually begins with shivering and a strong feeling of illness. In addition, a variety of symptoms can occur, such as fever up to 41°C, joint and muscle pain, severe headaches, sweating and loss of appetite. A cough without sputum can also indicate an infection with the flu virus.
A burning sensation in the nose may also occur. In many cases, light and noise sensitivity may also occur. Since the disease can cause different symptoms in each person individually, not all signs of the disease must be present.
Sometimes, influenza, for example, only shows itself through high fever and unproductive coughing. The symptoms appear very soon after contact with the virus pathogen. In most cases, the first symptoms appear one or two days after infection due to very rapid virus multiplication in the body.
In principle, one should consult a physician immediately at the first symptoms that indicate influenza, so that an effective therapy can be initiated early on and both the duration of the illness and the risk of possible complications caused by the disease are minimized. The symptoms of influenza differ from a common cold in that the flu symptoms usually start very violently and suddenly. In the case of a cold, the symptoms typically appear one after the other or alternate.
Influenza is a viral disease that weakens the body’s own defense system, making it more vulnerable to other pathogens. In connection with influenza, deaths occur in rare cases, but the cause is often not the viral disease itself, but a so-called secondary infection. In addition to the influenza disease, a bacterial infection occurs, which under certain circumstances can be life-threatening.
If, for example, a bacterial lung, ear or heart muscle inflammation occurs, it should be treated immediately to prevent serious consequences. Influenza patients are contagious about one to two days before and up to seven days after the onset of symptoms and should avoid contact with other people, especially children, pregnant women, the chronically ill or weakened persons during this time. After the flu symptoms have subsided, those affected often continue to suffer from symptoms for several weeks, such as a general weakness in performance, loss of appetite and malaise, and even depression.
The symptoms appear very soon after contact with the virus pathogen. In most cases, the first symptoms appear within one or two days after infection due to very rapid virus multiplication in the body. In principle, one should consult a doctor immediately at the first symptoms that indicate influenza, so that an effective therapy can be initiated early on and both the duration of the illness and the risk of possible complications caused by the disease are minimized.
The symptoms of influenza differ from a common cold in that the flu symptoms usually start very violently and suddenly. In the case of a cold, the symptoms typically appear one after the other or alternate. Influenza is a viral disease that weakens the body’s own defense system, making it more vulnerable to other pathogens.
In connection with influenza, deaths occur in rare cases, but the cause is often not the viral disease itself, but a so-called secondary infection. In addition to the influenza disease, a bacterial infection occurs, which under certain circumstances can be life-threatening. If, for example, a bacterial lung, ear or heart muscle inflammation occurs, it should be treated immediately to prevent serious consequences.Influenza sufferers are contagious for about one to two days before and up to seven days after the onset of symptoms and should avoid contact with other people, especially children, pregnant women, the chronically ill or weakened persons during this time. After the flu symptoms have subsided, those affected often continue to suffer from symptoms for several weeks, such as a general weakness in performance, loss of appetite and malaise, and even depression.
