PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR THE FLU

The flu is a viral infectious disease that is commonly characterised for the brusque emergence of its symptoms within the winter season.

The flu virus is spread from person to person via saliva droplets that we expel when we talk, whether we see them or not.

The virus can also be spread when the sufferer coughs, sneezes, places their hand over their mouth or touches objects with their contaminated hands.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms are:

• High fever. Higher than 38 degrees.
• Intense headache.
• Joint pain.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Sore throat.
• Blocked nose.
• Cough.

TREATMENT

• Have bed rest for the week that it approximately lasts.
• Ensure that you are well hydrated by drinking hot drinks, orange juices and lemon teas rich in Vitamin C.  
• Taking medication to reduce the fever and the pain.

COMPLICATIONS

The most serious complications that can arise from having suffered the flu are bronchitis and pneumonias.

PRECAUTIONS

Pregnant women, diabetics, people that have low immune systems or people that suffer from chronic pulmonary diseases have to take precautions to avoid contracting the flu.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Use disposable tissues.
• Coughing or sneezing on your arm and not over your hands.
• Regularly wash your hands.
• Maintain a high level of hygiene, especially where pregnant women, children and people that suffer from chronic illnesses or are immunosuppressed are present.
• Vaccines to be administered to as many people as possible.
• Maintain a varied diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which are present in fruits and vegetables.

Humanity has always been contact with multiple virus and will continue to do so, we have survived them up to now and will keep doing so in the future.

Dr. J Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus