Got the Flu? Know what it is and its management by Dr Om Kapoor

Brijesh Rudani
6 min readDec 15, 2019

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dr om kapoor

Are you troubled with fever, muscle ache, runny nose and sore throat? Flu can leave you devastated. Read on to know how Dr Om Kapoor explains everything and anything you must know about flu that includes its symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Dr Om Kapoor from Florida is a well-known physician with over 10+ years of medical experience. He has been the chief of Infectious diseases at Baptist Medical Center, Florida and has displayed an exemplary career and long-time commitment for the betterment of mankind. Let’s read on to know how he explains this respiratory disease in detail.

What is Flu?

The flu is an infection that can cause fever, cough, body aches, and other symptoms. The most common type of flu is “seasonal” flu. There are different forms of seasonal flu, for example, “type A” and “type B.”

Besides seasonal flu, there is also the “swine” flu, which caused a worldwide outbreak (“pandemic”) in 2009 and 2010, and the bird flu. Bird flu (also known as “avian flu”) is a severe form of the flu that is caused by a type of flu virus that first infected birds.

All forms of the flu are caused by viruses. The medical term for the flu is “influenza.”

What are the most common flu symptoms?

Flu symptoms can come on very suddenly. All forms of flu can cause:

●Fever (temperature higher than 100ºF or 37.8ºC)

●Extreme tiredness

●Headache or body aches

●Cough

●Sore throat

●Runny nose

Is Flu Contagious?

Flu is Contagious. Most of the time, it’s through droplets in the air.

Typically, you’re contagious from 1 day before you have any symptoms. Some people especially Kids may be able to spread the virus for even longer until all of their symptoms fade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people with the flu to stay home until 24 hours after they are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication.

Is the flu dangerous?

Yes, It can be. Most people get over the flu on their own, without any lasting problems. But some people need to go to the hospital because of the flu. And some people even die from it. This is because the flu can cause a serious lung infection called pneumonia. That’s why it’s important to keep from getting the flu in the first place.

what is flu

People at higher risk of getting very sick from the flu include:

●People 65 or older

●Young children (under 5 years old, and especially under 2 years old)

●Pregnant women

●People with certain other medical problems (e.g. Diabetes, Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Immunocompromised patients who have low immunity to fight infections, long-term medical condition like lung disease, heart disease, Blood disease, Kidney disease, Liver Disease, obesity etc.)

If you or your child is in one of these groups, talk to a doctor or nurse. He or she can help you decide if you or your child needs treatment. In some cases, family members of a person with the flu might also need medicine to help prevent them from getting it.

Is there a test for flu?

Yes. There are tests for the flu. In most cases, your doctor can tell if you have the flu by your symptoms. But in some cases — for example, if you are at risk for having other problems caused by the flu — your doctor might do a test for flu.

How can I protect myself from the flu?

You can protect yourself by doing following:

●Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use alcohol hand rubs

●Stay away from people you know are sick

●Get the flu vaccine every year — Some years the flu vaccine is more effective than others. But even in years when it is less effective, it still helps prevent some cases of the flu. It can also help keep you from getting severely ill if you do get the flu

To protect others, you should also:

●Stay home if you get the flu. Do not go to work or school until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours, without taking fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol. If you work in a health care setting taking care of patients, you might need to stay home longer if you are still coughing.

●Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.

What should I do if I get the flu?

If you think you have the flu, stay home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. You can also take acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) to relieve fever and aches.Do not give aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin to children younger than 18. In children, aspirin can cause a serious problem called Reye syndrome.

Most people with the flu get better on their own within 1 to 2 weeks. But you should call your doctor or nurse right a way if you are at higher risk of getting very sick from the flu and/or have following:

●Have trouble breathing or are short of breath

●Feel pain or pressure in your chest or belly

●Get suddenly dizzy

●Feel confused

●Have severe vomiting

Take your child to the doctor if he or she:

●Starts breathing fast or has trouble breathing

●Starts to turn blue or purple

●Is not drinking enough fluids

●Will not wake up or will not interact with you

●Is so unhappy that he or she does not want to be held

●Gets better from the flu but then gets sick again with a fever or cough

●Has a fever with a rash

If you decide to go to a walk-in clinic or a hospital because of the flu, tell someone right away why you are there. The staff might ask you to wear a mask or to wait someplace where you are less likely to spread your infection.

Whether or not you see a doctor or nurse, you should stay home while you are sick with the fluor keep your child home if he or she is sick. Do not go to work or school until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours, without taking medicine such as acetaminophen. If you work with patients, such as in a hospital or clinic, you might need to stay home longer if you are still coughing. Also, always cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.

Can the flu be treated?

Yes, people with the flu can get medicines called antiviral medicines. These medicines can help people avoid some of the problems caused by the flu. Not every person with the flu needs antiviral medicine, but some people do. Your doctor or nurse will decide if you need antiviral medicine. When indicated, treatment should be initiated as soon as possible since antiviral therapy is most likely to provide benefit when initiated within the first 48 hours of illness…

What if I am pregnant?

The flu can be very dangerous for pregnant women. If you are pregnant, it is very important that you get the flu vaccine. You should also avoid taking care of anyone who has the flu. If you are pregnant, call your doctor or nurse right away if:

●You might have been near someone with the flu.

●You think you might be coming down with the flu. In pregnant women, the symptoms of the flu can get worse very quickly. The flu can even cause trouble breathing or lead to the death of the woman or her baby. That is why it is so important that you talk to a doctor or nurse as soon as you notice any of the flu symptoms listed above. You will need an antiviral medicine if you are pregnant and have the flu.

om kapoor florida

Even though a minor disease, flu can be hugely disturbing at times. Knowing its symptoms and ways to prevent the same can help you combat flu easily. Dr Om Kapoor has eminently explained and advised in-depth about this respiratory disease so well that one can watch us and stay on their guard.

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Brijesh Rudani
Brijesh Rudani

Written by Brijesh Rudani

SEO Expert | Digital Marketing specialist | Content Writer I provide best SEO service in surat, INDIA and also DIGITAL MARKETING(social media marketing)

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