About flu

Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause serious health complications and is responsible for thousands of deaths every year. It can be dangerous even for healthy young people, and the only effective prevention is vaccination.

True influenza usually has worse symptoms than the common cold. "A fever over 39 °C is common, along with significant weakness, muscle and joint pain, headaches, and loss of appetite. The cough is mostly dry, but sometimes it can be productive with light mucus expectoration. Especially in children, middle ear infections can occur,” warns dr. Naďa Klocoková, internist and Chief physician at Apeiron clinic. According to her, the worst complication is influenza pneumonia, often accompanied by a secondary bacterial infection. “Sometimes the heart is also affected. Such a severe course can lead to the patient's death,” she adds. Additionally, at present, the identification of influenza is complicated by coronavirus infection, which is characterized by the same or very similar symptoms.

Why get vaccinated against the flu?

Vaccination does not guarantee that we will not get sick; no vaccine can do that. However, it is true that if we get vaccinated and then get the flu, the course of the illness will be milder and we will spread less of the virus to others. Vaccination thus also has an effect on the viral load. By getting vaccinated, we not only help ourselves, but also protect the people around us.

Who can be recommended for vaccination?

"Flu vaccination is suitable for everyone. It is especially recommended for people with reduced immunity to infections and those who are expected to have a more severe course of a possible infection. This mainly includes seniors over 65, diabetics, patients with chronic lung, liver, or kidney diseases, cancer patients, or patients with other immune disorders. It is also advisable to vaccinate people who could transmit the flu virus to vulnerable individuals, even if they are not in the risk group themselves – such as healthcare or social care staff,” advises Dr. Naďa Klocoková.

What to do about the flu?

Unfortunately, the flu is often characterised by symptoms that are similar to those of the common cold. However, flu symptoms also include fever (higher than 38 degrees), chills, headache, muscle or joint pain and, in the later stages, a dry cough. Usually, the nasal mucosa is swollen, but without the watery secretion that is typical of the common cold. While people with colds often go to work and are able to perform normal activities, the flu often forces them to stay in bed for at least a few days. Influenza is an acute and highly contagious viral disease that attacks the whole body. Though patients often have a tendency to leave the flu untreated, doing so needlessly exposes them to bigger problems, such as a longer recovery period and the risk of complications such as pneumonia, etc. In some cases, the virus can spread throughout the body and, in combination with another disease, can lead to collapse or even death in extreme cases.

Flu treatment is very similar to treating a cold. It is absolutely essential to rest and to have sufficient intake of vitamins and fluids. Pain, fever and cough medications can be combined with teas, which suppresses particular symptoms.

“In the case of an uncomplicated course of the flu, it is not necessary to see a doctor, or you can use the possibility of online consultation. Symptoms usually peak around the third day and should improve by the fifth day at the latest. If you are not feeling better even on the fifth day, or if you feel worse even before then (particularly if you have trouble breathing), it is advisable to seek medical attention,“ says MUDr. Dalibor Stoszek, general practitioner at AFI clinic.

Possible flu complications

The flu can sometimes lead to more serious complications, especially in infants, small children, seniors, individuals with chronic diseases, and pregnant women. In severe cases, the flu can even be life-threatening.

• Pneumonia is the most common complication of the flu. It can occur directly as a result of the flu virus, leading to rapid deterioration in the patient's condition and difficulty breathing. Additionally, simultaneous bacterial infections can also cause a different form of pneumonia.
• Other potential complications include inflammation of the heart muscle, pericardium, pleura, kidneys, nasal cavities, middle ear, muscles, cerebrospinal membranes, and spinal cord. In rare cases, the flu can also lead to brain damage, circulatory failure, and even death.

It is important to seek medical help urgently in the following situations:

• High fever lasting longer than 3 days, or high fever unresponsive to fever reducing medications
• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulties

People with chronic heart, blood vessel, kidney, or lung diseases should always consult a doctor due to their increased risk of developing complications.