It’s the rainy season once again. While this season provides much-needed relief from the sweltering heat of the past few months, it also sets the stage for various diseases, including the flu.

According to past surveillance data, the rainy season marks the beginning of flu season in the Philippines, with notable increase in flu cases beginning June until November each year. Given this heightened risk, it becomes increasingly important to familiarize ourselves with the basics of this condition and take proactive steps to prepare and protect ourselves and our loved ones.

What is the Flu?

The flu, medically known as influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, primarily influenza virus types A and B. These viruses infect the respiratory tract—specifically the nose, throat, and, less commonly, the lungs—leading to inflammation and a range of symptoms that can vary from mild to severe.

How Do You Get the Flu?

The flu is highly contagious and spreads from person to person. You can get infected through the following means:

  • Direct contact with an infected person: When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks near you (within 6 ft), his/her respiratory droplets containing the viruses are dispersed into the air and can land in your mouth or nose.
  • Indirect contact (less common mode of transmission): The virus can survive on surfaces. You can get infected if you touch contaminated surfaces (i.e. doorknobs, shopping carts, light switch) and then touch your face, nose, mouth, or eyes.

 

The symptoms of the flu usually appear two days after exposure to the virus but can range from one to four days.

 

You are most contagious during the first three days after your symptoms appear. However, you can already spread the virus to others 1 day before symptoms appear and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Children and those with weak immune systems may be contagious for a longer period according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

What Are the Common Symptoms?

Once the influenza virus enters your body, it targets and infects cells in the respiratory tract. This infection triggers the body’s immune response, causing inflammation and a variety of symptoms, including:

 

  • Fever (sudden onset)
  • Dry cough (can last two weeks or more)
  • Sore throat
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Headache
  • Fatigue (tiredness)

 

Some people may experience vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

 

Is Flu Serious?

The severity of the flu can vary. For generally healthy adults, the flu often results in a mild illness that may resolve on its own within a week without medical intervention.

However, for some individuals, the flu may lead to severe illness and serious complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and sepsis. These complications may necessitate hospitalization and may even be fatal.

You (or your loved) are considered high risk if you belong to this group:

  • Children under 5 years old
  • Elderly (65 years or older)
  • People with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease
  • Immunocompromised people, including those with HIV, malignancies, or those receiving chemotherapy or steroid treatment
  • Pregnant women

If you or your loved ones fall into any of these high-risk categories, it is important  to take flu precautions seriously to prevent contracting the disease. As the saying goes, "prevention is better than cure.

What are the Treatment Options for the Flu?

If you only develop a mild illness, and are otherwise healthy, you can manage the flu at home by just having plenty of rest, adequate hydration, and good nutrition to support your immune system. You may also consider over-the-counter medications (OTCs) like paracetamol or ibuprofen to help reduce fever and relieve pain, and decongestants and cough suppressants to alleviate respiratory symptoms.  It is important to note that not everyone should take certain OTCs, so check with your doctor or pharmacist provider before using them.

If you belong to a high-risk group, experience severe symptoms, or have symptoms that are not improving with self-treatment, seek medical advice. In such cases, antiviral medications may be prescribed within 48 hours of symptom onset to shorten the duration of the illness and prevent potential complications.

 

 

How to Prevent the Flu and Its Spread?

Your best protection against the flu and its potential complications is to get vaccinated. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that everyone six months and older receive the influenza vaccine, with particular importance for high-risk groups, including the very young, elderly, pregnant individuals, people with comorbidities, and caregivers of high-risk individuals.

It's important to get a flu shot every year because influenza viruses mutate frequently, resulting in new strains each year. This means that previous vaccinations may not offer adequate protection against these new strains. New flu vaccines are developed annually to match the most prevalent and recent strains, ensuring the best possible protection. Consult your doctor about the best time to get vaccinated and whether you are suitable for the vaccine.

In addition to vaccination, here are other effective ways to prevent flu infection:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after touching potentially contaminated surfaces. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Wear a mask in crowded places.
  • Minimize contact with people who are sick with the flu.

 

If you are sick with the flu, you can help prevent the spread of infection by following these tips:

  • Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever has subsided.
  • Wear a mask if you need to leave your room.
  • Avoid sharing food, utensils, cups, or bottles.
  • Use hand sanitizer often during the day, especially after touching your face.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If tissue is not available, cough into your sleeve.
  • Dispose of used tissue immediately.

 

 

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