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As influenza, a contagious illness caused by a virus, which affects the respiratory organs but is a systemic illness, progresses, one may move from feeling weak, tired, feverish and possibly nauseous to feeling congested in the respiratory passages, from the sinuses down as far as the bronchial tubes, with dry coughing, sore throat, and sometimes a runny nose. But if bronchitis (usually bacterial bronchitis) develops as a result of the illness, it can rapidly become pneumonia and should be treated quickly with antibiotics. One way you can tell that you have bronchitis is if your cough becomes wet and croupy and you're having difficulty breathing.
The flu itself cannot be treated with antibiotics as it is viral in nature, but there are some anti-viral meds available for some flu strains. This year (2014-2015 flu season), in the US, the CDC has announced that one of the three strains of the flu covered by their shots this season has mutated, so that one strain can be caught by people who had the shots. My housemates and I found that one out the hard way, developing influenza for the first time in many years!
Take good care of yourself, and should you develop severe difficulty breathing or a fever higher than 102, get prompt medical attention! Stay in bed, rest up, stay warm, and stay hydrated. Eat if you can manage it. Feel better.
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Do new symptoms develop as the swine flu progresses?
Usually the symptoms develop quickly and most continue until the flu has run its course. The typical symptoms are coughing, headaches, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing, runny nose, fever (over or at 101F or about 41C).If you develop a secondary infection such as bronchitis, or pneumonia caused either by a virus or bacteria, you can develop an increase in the severity of the symptoms or new symptoms such as trouble breathing, chest pains, a change in the amount or color of sputum or phlegm, an increase in fever, or escalation of cough. Other symptoms that indicate there may be a complication developing in adults are dizziness, confusion or shortness of breath.Symptoms that might develop and indicate there is a need for urgent medical attention are:In childrenfast breathing or trouble breathing;blueish or gray skin color;not drinking enough fluids;severe, persistent vomiting;not waking up or not interacting;being so irritable that the child doesn't want to be held;and flu-like symptoms improve, but then return later with a fever and a worse cough.In adultsdifficulty breathing or shortness of breath;pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen;sudden dizziness, confusion, persistent or severe vomiting that doesn't go away;and flu-like symptoms that improve, but then come back again with a fever or worsening of cough.
Does chocolate Ex-Lax give you flu like symptoms?
If you are talking about the "stomach flu" symptoms, then a laxative like that one could give you similar symptoms of stomach cramps and diarrhea that the stomach flu ("Norwalk Flu") causes. However, it should not be causing respiratory symptoms of influenza like the seasonal flu or swine flu cause unless you are having an unusual or allergic reaction to it. If you have any trouble breathing after taking a new medication, you should seek immediate medical attention to be sure you are not having a severe allergic reaction that could be life-threatening.
How is Swine Flu related to bird flu?
Swine flu is caused by a new influenza virus that has genetic material from several different flu viruses that combined to form the new H1N1/09. The different types of flu involved in the development of the new virus are three types of swine flu (Asian, European, and American), avian "bird" flu, and human flu. Other than that relationship and that they are both influenza viruses, there is no other real relationship. Symptoms, mortality rates, and transmission are quite different between bird flu and swine flu.See the related question below for more informationon what caused this new type of flu.
Vaccines against the flu are different every year why is this?
The flu virus constantly mutates, leading to new strains every year. Vaccine manufacturers update the vaccine annually to include the most prevalent strains, providing the best protection. This process helps ensure that the vaccine is effective against the specific flu viruses circulating each year.
What infection is transmitted by mosquitoes and is relatively new to the US and can cause flu-like symptoms that can result in encephalitis?
West Nile Virus.
Is there a new flu going around fall 2017?
Yes, and since the new flu that caused the pandemic in 2009 (H1N1/09 "Swine flu") there have been other new types identified (and even some new strains of avian flu have been identified) around the world. The viruses that cause the flu are mutating into new types of flu all the time. Cold viruses also mutate easily and quickly, this is a reason that vaccines can not be developed in time before they mutate again leaving the vaccine ineffective). Sometimes our immune systems have antibodies against older types of flu that will work to prevent the new types that are not that much different, but then other times the new influenza virus will have mutated into types for which our prior immunities will not be effective to prevent the new flu from making us ill. We will have to either get vaccines made as we did in 2009, or we will have to leave it to our bodies to make new antibodies that will block the new flu, but we will feel the symptoms of the flu in the interim.
Is Swine Flu from another galaxy?
There is no proof of that, although there is speculation that at least some viruses have come to Earth in or on rocks from space. See the related question for what caused the new virus "swine flu" to develop.
How does a flu nasal spray work?
A nasal flu vaccine is a mist that is inhaled, rather than an injection. One gentle spray per nostril is enough to be effective. The vaccine delivers a live, but extremely weakened, virus which causes the recipient's immune system to develop antibodies to the virus. If that person is later exposed to the flu, those antibodies can help prevent the virus from causing an infection. Many people believe that the flu vaccine, whether inhaled or injected, can cause illness. It's true that it can cause some short term mild symptoms but it cannot cause illness. Also, it is still possible to get the flu, even after receiving the vaccine since new strains can develop at any time.
Will the H1N1 shot keep you from getting swine flu?
The H1NI vaccine SHOULD keep you safe. Still though, it is possible to contract it even if you have been vaccinated. The good new is that IF you do get it after you have been vaccinated, the symptoms will be very, very mild.
Why does Swine Flu have no medicine?
The flu is caused by viruses and they can not be killed by medicines like bacteria can when you take antibiotics for an infection. Viruses are not living organisms and, therefore, are not affected by the things that kill living bacteria. A new flu vaccine was developed for the swine flu during the pandemic of 2009 and for the last several years this vaccine has been included in the seasonal flu vaccinations. It will help to prevent infection by this virus but will not cure it once you have the flu. Treatment for the flu includes OTC remedies for the symptoms of sore throat, cough, fever, etc. and use of the antiviral drugs for flu which do not cure, but will lessen the duration and severity of symptoms if taken within 48 hrs of the first signs of the flu. See the related questions below for more information on treatment of swine flu.
What types of flu create the Swine Flu?
A mixture of the standard Human Flu, Bird Flu and Pig Flu. This creates a new strain of flu called swine flu (Influenza A H1 N1).
Has there been a new virus going around with severe sore throat cough NO fever headache stomach ache diarreah extreme fatigue?
That sounds like the classic symptoms of influenza. In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season is upon us. It is time now, in the Fall of 2011, to ready for the flu season with an annual flu vaccination.
