Signs of flu in adults

Winter is on its way; the temperatures are dropping, and we just want to stay indoors or in closed places where we can protect ourselves from the cold. Every week we hear news of a friend, colleague or family member who has caught the flu virus and we wonder: will I be next?

Although in recent years we have received a lot of information about the flu and other respiratory viruses, it is always a good idea to be aware of the signs of flu in adults to detect it in time and go to the doctor if necessary. That's why in this article we'll take a brief look at the symptoms, causes and ways to prevent flu. Please take note!

Early signs and symptoms of flu

At first it is easy to mistake the flu for a simple cold. However, there are some signs that will help us to determine if we just have a cold or if, on the contrary, the flu has come knocking at our door.

Probably the most characteristic symptom of flu is body aches. We begin to feel tired, with low energy, and we notice that our muscles ache and a general malaise that we cannot associate with a session at the gym or with the normal fatigue of the working week. Its appearance is abrupt, and the intensity of the symptoms is higher than in the case of the common cold.

In addition, these body aches are often accompanied by headaches and chills. When that happens, we start to wonder if we have a fever, and we reach for the thermometer for answers. When we have the flu, it is common to have a fever of over 39 degrees, and during these first few days all we want to do is lie in bed while our resting body does its work to fight the virus off.

Some people experience other symptoms such as dizziness, nausea or vomiting and as the hours and days go by, other symptoms which are shared with the common cold will appear: sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, cough, etc.  

Given the wide range of symptoms, the flu can sometimes be confused with gastroenteritis, colds, and other respiratory illnesses. It is therefore important to pay attention to the signals our body is sending to us and to act accordingly.

How do we get the flu virus?

The flu is an infection caused by the H1N1 virus, also known as the influenza virus. This disease is usually seasonal, and with the arrival of winter and the indoor activity season, it affects a greater number of people. In Spain, the peak of this disease usually occurs in January.

But what the question remains: how do we catch it? How can we avoid contracting the virus? The answer can be summed up in two well-known prevention measures: social distance and hygiene.

The flu virus is transmitted through the small droplets we expel when we talk, sneeze or cough near another person, in other words, through the air.  It can also be present on objects touched by the infected person, which makes the chain of transmission faster (for instance, in work environments where objects are shared, in shops, through the money we handle, etc.).

It is therefore very important to maintain proper ventilation of enclosed spaces, to sneeze or cough into the crook of the elbow and not into the hand, and if necessary, to wear a mask. When it comes to preventing contagion, you can opt for any of these measures, but in all cases, you must follow rule number one: frequent hand washing. Don't forget that, according to a study carried out by the University of New South Wales (Australia), we touch our faces about 500 times a day.

Vaccination: our best defence

Undoubtedly, if we talk about flu prevention, we cannot forget our best tool: vaccination. Especially if we are talking about risk groups, such as people over 65, pregnant women or patients with chronic illnesses.

In adults, the evolution of the disease is usually positive, and it subsides between five and ten days after the appearance of the first symptoms. It is important to remember that there is no specific treatment for influenza, apart from the usual measures to mitigate the symptoms. These may include rest, taking an antipyretic to control fever, drinking plenty of fluids, etc. 

In any case, the most important thing is to be patient until the virus subsides, as there is no specific treatment that immediately eliminates the virus from the body. Hence the importance of prevention in the over-65s, as illnesses related to the respiratory tract, such as the flu, could have a worse evolution in these group of people.

When to see a doctor

With these considerations in mind, it is important to see a doctor if the fever does not come down even when taking the recommended anti-fever medication. Medical supervision is also necessary in cases where symptoms last longer than expected (exceeding one week or ten days), or if there are breathing problems, chest pain or excessive expectoration (that is, when the patient coughs up too much phlegm). 

If medical assistance is needed, it will be important to reduce waiting times. As always, having a good health insurance policy will help to speed up the whole process. You can take a look at Caser’s health insurance and get a personal quote here.

As you can see, recognising the signs of flu in adults is important to prevent a worse outcome, and helps us to combat the symptoms more effectively. Rest and hydration will help us to get better faster, and preventive measures will protect the people around us, thus avoiding contagion. As always when we talk about health problems, I recommend that you consult your doctor if you have any doubts, since no one can advise you better than a health professional. And if you want to leave us a comment, we will be delighted to hear from you. See you next time!