Flu is a viral infectious disease that is common around the world every year from April to September and especially affects the respiratory tract. Under normal circumstances, the flu is expected to heal within a week. This period may be longer for people with weak immune systems, such as pregnant women and the elderly. So what does the flu that doesn’t go away indicate? What to do for the flu that doesn’t go away? Answers to questions like these and questions about the lingering flu are included in the rest of the article.
What is Flu?
Influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that affects many people around the world every year in autumn and winter. There are four types of influenza viruses that cause flu: influenza A, B, C and D. The World Health Organization reports that among influenza viruses, A and B viruses mostly cause influenza epidemics. The flu virus is transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person, such as coughing or sneezing. The types of influenza viruses seen in society vary each year. Therefore, long-term immunity does not develop against the flu virus. In other words, people can be re-infected with the flu virus every year. For this reason, the World Health Organization recommends that people with weak immune systems get a flu vaccine every year.
What are the symptoms of flu?
People infected with the flu virus may experience cold (flu)-like symptoms such as runny nose and sore throat in the first days. This often causes confusion between the flu and the common cold. However, while cold symptoms may be milder, flu symptoms are often more severe. The main flu symptoms are as follows:
- Pain in various parts of the body, especially muscles and joints, head and throat,
- Runny or stuffy nose,
- Annoying dry cough ,
- Sudden high fever,
- breathing difficulties
In addition to the above, symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting may also be observed in some cases.
What are the causes of flu that does not go away?
It is known that influenza is caused by influenza viruses and is generally transmitted through inhalation of virus-containing droplets that are dispersed into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. However, touching the mouth, nose or eyes after touching a surface contaminated with the virus can also cause flu transmission. Under normal circumstances, symptoms appear in healthy people within an average of 1-4 days after infection with the virus. The human body’s immune system fights foreign pathogens coming from outside or inside. For this reason, in people with a strong immune system, flu symptoms subside and disappear within approximately 5-7 days with the help of various treatments. Flu that lasts longer than this period and does not go away is more common in people with weak immune systems, such as cancer patients, children and older adults. Persistent flu is more common, especially in people in the risk group. Factors affecting the duration of flu symptoms can be listed as follows:
- Type of virus: Influenza viruses are divided into 4 classes. Among these, there is no evidence that influenza D virus has infected humans to date. In addition, influenza C virus is less common in humans and causes a milder infection. Influenza types A and B can also cause infection in humans. Which of these subtypes a person is infected with can affect the severity and duration of flu symptoms.
- Weak immune system: People with weak immune systems, such as young children, adults over 65, cancer patients, those with chronic diseases such as asthma, heart disease, HIV, hypertension or diabetes, and pregnant women, may experience symptoms more severely. In addition, if the flu is not treated early, more serious health problems such as pneumonia may occur in these people (6).
- Delay in treatment: Flu is a disease that can cause serious health problems in people with weak immune systems if not treated early. Doctors who specialize in people with flu usually prepare a treatment plan to relieve symptoms, unless the person has any additional health problems. Additionally, it may be necessary to start antiviral treatment in people with a chronic health problem or a weak immune system. In people in the risk group who do not start treatment early, persistent flu and cough may be a sign of a more serious health problem such as pneumonia and bronchitis .
Since the flu persists for a long time, it may be a sign of another life-threatening health problem such as pneumonia, and if the symptoms do not subside within 7 days and/or new symptoms appear, it is important to seek help from a specialist doctor.
How to Treat Flu?
For flu, a treatment plan is first prepared to alleviate the patient’s symptoms. So how does the flu get over? The World Health Organization recommends that a treatment program be implemented to relieve flu-related symptoms such as high fever and cough in people who are not in the high-risk group. In addition, people who are at risk of severe flu or have an additional health problem such as asthma, heart disease or cancer may need to start their flu treatment with antiviral drugs.
Today, there are four types of antiviral drugs known to be effective against influenza viruses. According to clinical studies, it is important to start using antiviral medications within the first 24-48 hours after the onset of symptoms, if possible. There is not enough scientific evidence to show that starting medication after the first 48 hours is effective on flu. Contrary to popular belief, the use of antibiotics does not have any positive effect on infectious diseases such as flu caused by viruses.
What is Good for Flu?
Flu is an infectious disease that can cause serious complications in people at risk. For this reason, it is especially important for people in high-risk groups to comply with the vaccination program determined by the World Health Organization to prevent flu. After the onset of flu symptoms, it is necessary to consult the nearest health institution and start appropriate treatment. In addition, some home remedies can help relieve flu symptoms. So what to do for the flu? Some of the recommended methods for people with flu are as follows:
• It is important to rest as soon as symptoms are noticed.
• Consuming plenty of fluids can help soften mucus in the respiratory tract. Additionally, in case of vomiting and diarrhea, fluid loss may occur in the body. Additionally, drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent fluid deficits.
• Some studies have found evidence that vitamin D contributes to relieving flu symptoms. However, before taking any supplements, it is important to have the necessary tests done and consult a specialist doctor.
FAQ: What to do if the flu does not go away?
Flu affects many people every year, especially during the winter months. Flu, which is normally expected to heal within 1 week on average, may take longer in some cases. If the flu continues for a long time, it is important to first consult a specialist doctor and have the necessary check-ups.
What is a long flu symptom of?
Long-lasting flu may be a symptom of a more serious health problem, such as pneumonia. Therefore, if flu symptoms last longer than a week, it is important to consult a specialist doctor.
How many days does the longest flu last?
Under normal circumstances, flu symptoms are expected to regress within 5-7 days in healthy people.
Why doesn’t the common cold go away?
Although cold and flu are often confused with each other, they are different from each other. While the common cold is caused by more than 200 different types of viruses, especially rhinoviruses, flu is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by influenza viruses. A prolonged cold may be a sign of another health problem such as sinusitis. Since flu symptoms persist for a long time, it may be a sign of a serious health problem such as pneumonia or bronchitis, so in case of long-lasting flu, it is important to consult the nearest health institution without delay.
