Flu is one of the most common diseases we humans suffer from. It attacks any age and any race. The experience is really worse of course. This post will guide you as to how long does the flu last. Before I explain you, let me tell you what flu actually is.
What Is Flu?
Flu is the short term for “Influenza”. Flu or influenza is actually a respiratory sickness, which occurs due to a virus. The flu virus enters a body through the mucus membranes of nose, eyes and mouth.
Is Flu Contagious?
Yes, flu or influenza is extremely contagious. It can easily spread from one person to the other through sneeze, cough and touch of the person who is infected with it. When an individual with flu sneezes or coughs, the virus becomes actively airborne & can be easily inhaled by another person nearby.
A person can acquire flu if he or she has touched any contaminated surfaces like a doorknob or telephone & then touched the mouth or nose. The jeopardy of this infection is higher in populated locations like buses, schools & crowded urban environments. People, particularly young children & adults with weak immune systems can be contagious for longer period.
What Are The Symptoms Of Flu?
It is very common for people to be confused with the terms flu & bad cold. Yes, the cold and flu symptoms might include a blocked or runny nose, cough and sore throat but there are certain symptoms of flu a sufferer experiences and these aren’t common in symptoms of heavy cold:
- Higher body temperature
- Shivering
- Cold sweats
- Aching joints
- Headache
- Aching limbs
- Feeling extremely exhausted
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Extreme distress
- Extreme irritability
- Inability to drink sufficient fluids
- Inability to interact properly
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
How Long Does The Flu Last?
Note: Flu lasts for 1 to 2 weeks
The answer to the question how long does the flu last is over here. The above listed symptoms might linger for a week. But the gloom and tiredness feeling can persist for few weeks. Many people who suffer from flu feel better within 1 or 2 weeks. Healthy adults have the ability to infect others easily 1 day before the symptoms develop & 5 to 7 days after the symptoms appear.
Is There A Cure For Flu?
The answer is no. Even though science has extremely advanced today, still there isn’t any cure for flu or influenza. You can treat the flu symptoms with practical self-help & home remedies. If it gets worse, seek immediate medical help because a doctor will guide what is best for you.
Since you are now aware as to how long the flu last, the article does not end here. There are few other things, which you require knowing.
Ноw То Рrеvеnt Flu ?
Stay Away From Infected Partners
The influenza virus is contagious starting from the day before the first symptom occurs, every time a fever develops and up to a week after the last symptom has disappeared. It is transported in saliva, so kissing the mouth or face of a carrier of flu is risky during this period.
Stay Away From Anyone Who Coughs Or Sneezes
The influenza virus is a parasite that remains in respiratory secretions that travel in the air in small drops; when they are projected coughing or sneezing, they can fly about a meter before gravity takes over. A patient with flu who actively throws these drops when coughing or sneezing can contaminate the air he breathes. There is no practical way to assess whether someone has a benign nose tick, cold or flu, so it is best to stay away from anyone with suspicious symptoms. Do sneeze guards work to avoid this spread? Yes, somehow it can.
How Does Flu Feels Like & What Happens During This infection?
The symptoms, severity and infection of flu depend on a person. Usually, the temperature that you acquire with the flu goes down in 48 hours. On the other hand, worst flu symptoms can last more than 4-5 days and complete recovery may take around 10 days or even longer.
What Is The Experience During The Flu Days 1 – 2?
Day 1 and 2 is just the beginning of flu and is the period when one experiences
- High temperature
- Shivering
- Sever headache
- Joint pains
- Aches in legs and back
- Feeling dizzy
What Happens Inside The Body Now?
A sneeze can easily travel the tube carriage & you begin to inhale infected droplets. Virus exceeds the body’s basic protection –hairs & mucus in nose that traps them. On the other hand, you may have introduced the virus by touching your eyes or nose after being into contact with a person, who already has flu. This virus then takes all your cells & utilizes them in reproducing millions.
What Should You Do At This Stage?
- Take complete rest
- Drink lot of fluids
- Take ibuprofen or paracetamol to reduce the temperature & ease the aches
What Is The Experience During The Flu Days 2 – 3?
Day 2 and 3 are the second stages of flu. Here, a person experiences
- Temperature dropping now
- Cold
- Soreness with tickle in throat or nose
- Dull eyes
- Beginning of dry cough
- Sneezing
What Happens Inside The Body Now?
Cells inside the throat and nose release chemicals in order to protect you against virus. The chemical then irritate cells, causes itchiness, soreness & even makes you sneeze. At this stage, the virus kills many cells and nose produces watery mucus for washing them off. This makes you feel unwell and tired.
What Should You Do At This Stage?
- Be at home and rest
- Don’t spread to others
- Keep yourself warm
- Drink fluids
- Take ibuprofen or paracetamol to reduce the temperature
- Take cough lozenge for sore throat
- Don’t smoke because it further irritates your nose
What Is The Experience During The Flu Days 3 – 5?
This is the third stage of flu and this is when a person experiences the following
- The nose discharge changes from watery to slightly yellowish and thick
- Your nose feels blocked and stuffy
- Pain in forehead
- Pain around eyes
- Sometimes fever
What Happens Inside The Body Now?
By now, many White Blood Cells (WBCs) are produced for fighting against the infection. . The tissues inside the windpipe are congested. The air passes less easily & one could even become wheezy.
What Should You Do At This Stage?
- Continue drinking fluids
- Take ibuprofen or paracetamol if the temperature remains
- Utilize steam inhalations, as this liquefies mucus inside the chest and nose
- Sleep with head high on your pillow
What Is The Experience During The Flu Days 5 – 14+?
This is almost the vanishing stage of flu. The symptoms of flu begin to subside. The person feels much better.
What Happens Inside The Body Now?
The flu virus is now been defeated. Your internal body functions operate normally. You feel much relaxed externally. The coughing, sneezing stops and the swollen tissues shrink again.
What Should You Do At This Stage?
- Do your usual day-to-day activities
- If you still feel the flu symptoms, stick to medications or seek medical help
