Flu is a viral illness caused by influenza virus. It is much more severe than regular cold and cough viruses.Flu symptoms are fever, chills, body aches, headache, fatigue, runny nose, congestion, cough and sore throat. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, stomach upset and diarrhea could be present. Flu can lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, ear or sinus infection, worsening breathing in people with asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). People more vulnerable to get complications are infants, young children, elderly and immunocompromised people.
If you think you have flu, get immediate medical attention. A doctor at I and My Doctors Clinic can test you for flu and start on anti-viral medication to shorten the duration of illness and avoid complications. Other supportive measures are rest, fluids and Tylenol for fever. You can spread it to other people soto avoid that keep your mouth covered while coughing or sneezing, and clean your hands frequently with hand sanitizer.
Get yearly flu shots to prevent severe illness. Prevention is better than cure.
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