Once the summer is over, cold and flu alerts begin to invade health centers. We have always associated cold with this type of disease, but the truth is that temperature has little to do with it. Although you're more likely to get sick in November than in August, scientists believe humidity is the key. That is, when the humidity is high, the particles that we disperse in sneezes (and that are loaded with the flu virus) are large and heavy, so they spend less time in the air. On the other hand, in the cold seasons, the humidity is lower, so it is more likely that the particles remain in the air for longer.
What is the flu really?
We are facing an acute infectious disease, which is usually transmitted by air and with a high incidence in the population. Its origin is in the virus belonging to the family Orthomyxoviridae and, as we told you before, it is more common in the winter months.
The flu spreads very easily, so safety measures are taken every year to avoid the seasonal epidemic. For any healthy person, in adulthood, it will not mean more than a few days of rest; but there are other much more sensitive groups, such as children and the elderly, who can have serious complications. That is why vaccination is recommended.
Why should you get a flu shot? (In addition to not getting the flu)
Do the symptoms change each year?
Symptoms appear in the range of 1 to 5 days after the virus enters the body. Some people are infected with the flu virus but do not develop symptoms, but they can carry it. Unfortunately, flu viruses mutate every year, so we will never be immunized forever. However, even if the virus changes, its symptoms remain the same.
Infection with this virus causes a alteration of the respiratory epithelium much more severe than any other caused by a cold. The initial clinical picture usually begins abruptly with fever and chills, together with headaches, nasal congestion, sore throat, malaise, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and dry cough.
Fever and muscle aches usually last 3-5 days, while congestion and lack of energy can be extended up to 2 weeks.
Does it pose a significant health risk?
Most people recover in one to two weeks, but complications can develop in some cases.
As we mentioned earlier, the flu can cause more seriousness in older people, especially from the age of 65 and chronically ill. Surely you know cases of people who started with the virus and it became complicated in the form of pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis or otitis.
There may also be dehydration and worsening of chronic diseases that already had it, such as diabetes, asthma or Heart problems. It is normal to need hospitalization and disability to perform daily activities. Although temporary leave is advised at work, more and more companies are recommending the use of the vaccine. Vaccination reduces hospitalizations by 50% and mortality by 35%.
How is it transmitted?
It is much more common for it to be transmitted through the air between people who are in closed spaces. It can also be transmitted by direct contact through the droplets of saliva that we emit when talking, kissing, coughing or sneezing. Even in contaminated hands, the flu virus can persist for hours, especially if we are in cold environments with low humidity.
If you are an athlete and you go to the gym at this time, you have a good chance of falling ill by touching any material. Stay at home if you have the flu, and resume your training when you are 100% recovered.