Seasonal Influenza: Symptoms, Causes, Precautions, Treatment And Home Remedies

Hello readers! Do you ever feel the impact of changing seasons on your health? Seasonal influenza is a common health concern that hits every individual once during the changing season. 

According to the reports of the World Health Organisation, around 290,000 to 650,000 people die due to respiratory infections annually. Moreover, around every year, 1 million individuals deal with seasonal influenza. 

Therefore, getting proper knowledge about the symptoms, causes, preventive measures, and treatment options is important. Here, we will discuss all about seasonal influenza and So, read the blog to know more about seasonal influenza!

Table Of Contents

1. What Is Seasonal Influenza?

2. Seasonal Influenza Symptoms

3. Causes Of Seasonal Influenza

4. Precautions To Be Taken For Seasonal Influenza

5. What Are Seasonal Influenza Treatment Options?

6. Home Remedies For Seasonal Influenza

7. The Final Say

8. FAQs

9. References

What Is Seasonal Influenza?

Flu or influenza is a respiratory condition caused by seasonal influenza viruses such as influenza A, H1N1, H3N2, influenza B, etc. Since it is a viral infection, it can easily be transmitted via droplets from infected individuals to healthy ones. 

It is a common illness that affects about a billion people every year. It can cause severe illness for around 3-5 million individuals, resulting in 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths annually.

People suffering from seasonal influenza may observe the following symptoms: shortness of breath, nasal congestion, cough, continuous sneezing and more. Although it is transmissible, you can control it by following certain precautions and home remedies. So, to know more, read on!

Also Read: JN1 COVID Variant: Symptoms, Precautions, & Treatments

Seasonal Influenza Symptoms

To keep yourself updated and informed, you should be aware of the following seasonal influenza symptoms:

• Cough

• Headache

• Mild to Severe Fever

• Irritated to mild sore throat 

• Body Aches Muscle Pain

• Fatigue and weakness

• Chest tightness

• Shortness of breath 

• Nasal Congestion

• Diarrhoea

• Vomiting

• Nausea 

• Loss of Appetite

  
  

Also Read: JN1 Covid Variants: List Of All Most Dangerous Till 2023

Causes Of Seasonal Influenza

The major causes of seasonal influenza include the following:

Also Read: 8 Tips To Prevent Flu Naturally And Age Considerations

Precautions To Be Taken For Seasonal Influenza

To protect yourself from the risk of flu or influenza, you can take the following precautions:

1. Take Proper Vaccination

Vaccination is the most effective prevention method for seasonal influenza. These are available for different age groups and are specifically designed to target the predominant strains expected in the given flu season. Here is a brief description of the types of vaccines available for seasonal influenza:

Also Read: 5 Winter Diseases, Their Causes And Prevention

2. Follow Hygiene Practices

The second thing to remember is to follow hygiene practices, which include:

• Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water, using hand sanitisers.

• Avoid touching the face frequently. 

3. Follow Social Distancing

As seasonal influenza is a viral disease, it can easily be transmitted through droplets of the infected person. So, in that case, following social distancing can help prevent infection. You can follow measures like:

• Avoid crowded places.

• Practising social distancing.

• Maintaining a safe distance from individuals showing symptoms during flu outbreaks.

Also Read: 5 Herbal Teas To Boost Immunity And Fight Infections

What Are Seasonal Influenza Treatment Options?

To get relief from seasonal influenza, there are various treatment options like:

1. Antiviral Medications

These are effective for treating influenza when administered early in the course of illness. These include drugs like 

• Zanamivir (Relenza)

• Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

2. Symptomatic Relief

There are some medicines like Ibuprofen or acetaminophen that can help alleviate fever and body aches, which are the associated symptoms of influenza.

Home Remedies For Seasonal Influenza

You can also try some easy-to-make herbal drinks for treating seasonal flu symptoms. Some effective home remedies for easing respiratory symptoms are:

The Final Say

We can collectively work towards reducing the burden of seasonal influenza and promoting overall public health.  Understanding the causes, symptoms, prevention strategies, and treatment options is essential for individuals and communities to mitigate the impact of the flu. 

In conclusion, seasonal influenza remains a significant global health concern, impacting millions of individuals each year through vaccination, hygiene practices, and timely medical intervention.

FAQs

1. Is seasonal influenza dangerous?

While most of the time seasonal influenza results in mild symptoms, if there is genetic reassortment, it can lead to severe infections such as in the H1N1 Pandemic of 2009. Immunocompromised people are susceptible and must take special precautions. 

2. Is seasonal influenza and the common cold the same?

Influenza is different regarding high fever shoot and fatigue, and the common cold has milder symptoms.

3. How is seasonal influenza transmitted?

Seasonal influenza transmits through talking, coughing, sneezing, or touching the face.

4. Why is it important to take a vaccine?

The vaccine helps boost immunity against the ongoing virus and protects from prevalent strains.

5. After getting vaccinated, is it possible to be hit by the flu?

Yes, it is possible, but you will face milder symptoms compared to the severe ones.

References

• Need for a robust public health response to seasonal influenza in India - PMC 

• Influenza | CDC India Anniversary Report 

• Influenza - India 

• Influenza Vaccination: A Summary for Clinicians | CDC 

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