While seasonal flu viruses can be detected year-round in United-States, flu viruses affect the most during winter and fall season. The exact timings of seasonal influenza may vary but it is more likely, to begin with, the beginning of October. The flu virus may cause mild to severe illness and here are the symptoms and preventive measures for the ‘Seasonal Influenza’.

Influenza which is also known as flu is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the flu virus. It may cause mild to severe illness and sometimes the flu may also lead to death.  The person having flu might suffer from any one or all of these symptoms.

Emergency Warning Signs of flu sickness :

In children

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In adults

• Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In Infants

• Being unable to eat
• Has trouble breathing
• Has no tears when crying
• Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal

However, It is not necessary that every person having flu will have fever also.

People of any age group can get influenza and might suffer some serious problems related to flu, but people with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease etc are at a high risk of developing serious complications. People of 65 years of age and above, pregnant women and young children are more prone to get the disease.

Complications from Flu

People suffering from influenza usually recover in a few days to less than two weeks but sometimes normal influenza may lead to serious complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus which can be life-threatening and might also result in death.

The flu may worsen the chronic health problems like people with chronic congestive heart failure may experience worsening of the condition and people with asthma might experience asthma attacks.

Preventive Measures

• Flu virus usually spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing or touching something with flu virus on it so one should avoid getting in close contact with the person already suffering from flu.
• One must practice regular hand wash to reduce one’s chances of getting flu.
• You should cover your nose or mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• One must avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth too much.
• Clean the surfaces that may be contaminated with flu germs with a disinfectant.

Treatment for the Flu

With seasonal flu right around the corner, getting a flu-vaccine must be on your to-do list. This seasonal flu usually cures within 2 weeks but one should seek proper examination and treatment to avoid any complications in future. As the flu season has already started so one should get the flu shot because it takes about two weeks for the vaccination to work. The flu shot is perfectly safe and anyone who is at least 6 months old can get a flu shot to protect oneself from the flu. The individuals who are of  65 years of age or above can get a high-dose vaccine. However, getting the flu-shot might cause some side-effects.

The Flu shots are available for $40 at any Banner Urgent Care or Banner Quick Care store. The high-dosage of the vaccination would cost you around $60.

If you are suffering from seasonal influenza then you must visit the healthcare center and get a proper treatment. Doctors suggest the antiviral drugs to cure the symptoms of the flu. The most effective and currently recommended drugs include oseltamivir, zanamivir, and peramivir.