The flu is caused by a virus called influenza; It is a seasonal disease that occurs with symptoms such as fever, severe muscle and joint pain, weakness, fatigue, chills, headache and dry cough. We generally get the flu due to fluctuating temperatures as we move from summer to winter.

The flu is effective for about 6-8 weeks during the winter months. However, in people with a strong immune system, this period is between 7 and 14 days. There are types A, B, and C of the causative influenza virus. Type C does not cause disease in humans. Influenza A is milder. Type B mostly affects children. The flu virus can cause major epidemics in some years.

The way of transmission of the disease is the transmission of respiratory secretions of sick people to healthy people. The incubation period of the disease is 1-3 days. Influenza patients begin to transmit the disease one day before the onset of symptoms of the disease, and the contagiousness continues for another 5 days. In children, this period can be extended up to 10 days.

How Is The Flu Treated?

The main drugs used in the treatment of influenza are antiviral drugs and vaccines. The flu virus undergoes antigenic changes every year. For this reason, flu vaccines are produced each year according to the most common flu viruses in the previous year.

The flu vaccine is given between September and November. Vaccination prevents serious diseases and complications. The protection rate of the vaccine is between 70-90%.

It is necessary to stay away from crowded environments, to use masks, to wash hands frequently, to eat healthy, to avoid fatigue and insomnia, and to consume plenty of fluids in seasons when flu is common and epidemic.

Vitamins, minerals and nutrients to support the immune system, which is good for flu or cold; Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, Selenium, Omega 3.

Also, for throat irritated by severe coughing; You can drink mint, sage, linden, ginger, honey and lemon tea and reduce the symptoms of my disease.