We often equate stomach viruses to the flu. However, even though the flu can cause stomach upset, it’s more often a runny nose, achy, sniffling type of illness.
The flu can be spread before you even feel sick. This means that you may not know how you got the flu because the people you come into contact with may not show symptoms.
These are just two of the many misconceptions related to the flu. Check out these 10 flu facts you need to know today. You just might be surprised.
1. The flu might not be what you think it is.
We often associate flu with stomach issues. However, the flu is actually a respiratory infection. This is why common symptoms of the flu are cough and runny nose. In other words, what you assume is a cold just may be the flu.
2. Many symptoms can accompany the flu.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu can come with a number of symptoms. One of these is fever, though not all people who contract the flu develop a fever. The flu can cause cold-like symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and a runny or stuffed-up nose. In addition, it can cause the head, muscles and body to ache along with general fatigue. That said, some people who contract the flu do experience stomach issues like vomiting and diarrhea. However, these symptoms occur most often in children.
3. The flu is contagious.
The flu can be spread to others easily. According to the CDC, this is thought to occur through droplets released during coughing, sneezing or talking. Gross as this sounds, it is thought that these droplets end up in the mouths or noses of others. The flu can be spread by touching things that those infected have touched. However, this is said to occur less often than through transmission by droplets.
Also of interest, the flu can be spread before you even feel sick. The CDC says that people with the flu can be infectious a day before symptoms occur and between five and seven days after they become sick. Young children and those with weakened immune systems might be infections for longer periods of time.
4. There is a vaccine for the flu.
Chances are you’ve heard of the flu vaccine. According to the CDC, the flu vaccine protects against the most common types of flu. This is said to be three or four different virus strains. These viruses are H1N1, H3N2, and one to two influenza B viruses (depending which vaccine you get). The CDC recommends that everyone who is six months or older receive a flu vaccine yearly. This is very important for those who have a high risk of developing the flu, like those who work in healthcare and those who live with high-risk persons. It is also important that those with infants six months or younger get vaccines because these children are too young to receive vaccines.
5. You can take steps to prevent the flu.
According to the San Francisco Department of Public Health, healthy habits can help to prevent the flu. Obviously, one of these is taking the time to get vaccinated. It's important to wash your hands regularly with soap and water or to use an alcohol-based hand rub. Further, cover both your mouth and nose when you sneeze, cough or blow your nose. This can be done with a shirt sleeve or a Kleenex. Finally, disinfect any surfaces that are touched often. This includes toys. After all, kids may not wash their hands before touching those favorite play items.
6. There is a difference between a cold and the flu.
According to the San Francisco Department of Public Health, there are differences between symptoms of a cold and the flu. And there are also similarities, making it difficult to differentiate between the flu.
The first difference is that flu is said to be worse than a cold in terms of symptoms. For example, colds rarely produce fevers in adults, but the flu does. This fever is generally 102 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can reach 104 degrees. This symptom is said to last between three and four days.
Colds rarely cause headaches, but the flu does. Further, the muscle aches seen with the flu are rare with a cold. And extreme exhaustion is not seen in a cold as it is with the flu. Shared symptoms between cold and flu are runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and cough.
7. Flu can be treated with medication.
According to the CDC, antiviral drugs can help to fight the flu. This is considered the second line of defense, the first being a flu vaccine. Antiviral drugs require a prescription. That said, the CDC warns that antiviral drugs do not serve as a substitute for the flu vaccine.
8. You should stay home if you have the flu.
When the flu strikes, some people rough it and just keep going. However, this isn’t fair to others.
The CDC recommends staying home for an entire day AFTER the fever is gone unless going to the doctor. Steer clear of others to avoid transmitting the virus. Further, remember that you can transmit the virus a day before you feel sick and five to seven days afterward. So cover your mouth and sanitize your hands often if you do go to work.
9. Some people have a greater risk of complications related to the flu than others.
According to the CDC, some people have a greater risk of developing serious complications related to the flu than others. These are young children under the age of five -- and especially those under the age of two. Those who are 65 or older and those who are pregnant have a greater risk.
People with certain health conditions also have a greater risk. These include those with asthma, those with neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions (including those with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, those who have suffered a stroke and those with intellectual disabilities), those with lung diseases (like COPD), those with heart disease, and those with blood disorders (like sickle cell disease).
10. There is more than just one type of flu.
Flu is not just a one-stop shop. In fact, there are many types of flu. For example, you may have heard of avian flu, also called H7N9. This is different than the swine flu, also known as H1N1. And these strains are different than the seasonal flu.
The complicated thing is that the flu virus is constantly changing and mutating. These changes can happen both fast and slowly. Some strains of the flu can be transferred from animals to humans.