does not exist treat for Fight the flu.When you’re infected, the only thing you can do is try Relieve symptoms This way they won’t affect your daily life too much and you can Get well soon. Bone pain, headache, cough, high fever… Feeling uncomfortable for 4 or 5 days No one can save you from them. A week is how long it takes for the virus to weaken and stop causing so much discomfort, but sometimes things can get complicated.
exist elder or with chronic disease prevent your immune system from working properly, The flu can even be dangerous.
What makes influenza complicated?
The risk of flu complications fundamentally depends on two factors:
- How aggressive is the virus?. Some winters the flu virus changes (mutates) almost its entire structure, appearance, and causes more damage because the body cannot recognize it, which does happen when the virus is similar to the previous season).
- How strong or weak we are. If the immune system is weakened by a chronic condition such as diabetes, pre-existing respiratory conditions, or eating an unhealthy diet, the flu virus can become stronger and weaken the body even more.
When this happens, opportunistic bacteria can easily enter through the mucous membranes (nose, mouth, and eyes) and Infections that are more difficult to eradicate may occur. Antibiotics are usually needed in this case, but this can only be assessed by a doctor.
How to protect against the flu?
If the virus is very virulent or our defense capability is not 100%, The body must work extremely hard to stop the infection.
go a head, Releases cytokines, proteins that attempt to activate defenses But they also have a negative side effect at the same time: they inflame our mucous membranes and tissues.
when it happens Too many cytokines, Not only do they fail to play a defensive role, but they can affect vital organs.
How does the flu affect the heart?
Sometimes, after a severe case of the flu, myocardial inflammation (Especially their valves, although people with previous heart disease are usually at greater risk).
Symptoms endocarditis usually contagious Fever, sweating, tiredness. Sometimes there are certain Difficulty breathing.
One sign might be Small splinter-like spots that appear on the nails. If found, it is recommended to see a doctor.
How does the flu affect the lungs?
inside People who already have respiratory illness (Chronic pneumonia, asthma, COPD common in smokers…) There is an increased risk of influenza affecting the lungs if not treated properly.
when breathing becomes more difficult (Especially when making small efforts), it is recommended to leave yourself in the hands of professionals.often Pneumonia after influenza without further notice.
sometimes taking antiviral medications It can prevent its appearance because it prevents new cells from becoming infected, but this must be decided by a doctor.
take antibiotic It’s also not a good idea to go it alone as it can complicate everything in some cases.
It must also be considered that in susceptible individuals, influenza may cause symptoms Otitis media or sinusitis.
What other organs do influenza viruses affect?
Flu may also be present Effects on other parts of our bodies.
muscle
this Myositis This is another possible consequence of the flu.it’s about youn Very severe pain in leg muscles This goes beyond (in intensity and duration) the typical muscle aches of seasonal flu.
May the discomfort be relieved Bend your knees and walk on tiptoes This is a clue that this complication is occurring. Then, Rest is recommended to relieve muscle inflammation.
visible More common in people with a familial tendency and those with metabolic problems that may go undiagnosed (such as latent diabetes) but can often be easily controlled with appropriate treatment.
kidney
A weak body may suffer serious harm from the flu, Sometimes the kidneys bear the brunt of the attack and develop some degree of renal failure.
Fortunately this is less common Although people taking steroids Over a long period of time (to stop inflammatory disease) they have to increase their preventive measures because they have been shown to be at higher risk.