Rains have come in folks! It’s officially the flue season from now till end of winter here in Hyderabad. I have lost the services of about a dozen or so of my work mates for a week or more. Me? Heavens no! I am made for bigger things.

Now, let us get down to the specifics.

Flu:

Flu or Influenza is basically a viral infection.

Symptoms:

Symptoms can be a combination of these. Head ache, Cough, Cold with blocked or running nose, High Fever and Excessive Coldness, Body Pain, Severe Exhaustion, Smarting, aching and Blood shot Eyes and Inflamed and reddened Skin, Mouth and Throat. Some times these may be accompanied by Gastric disturbances such as nausea, stomach ache and diarrhea. Some times it can be confused with common cold. The onset is sudden and the progress is rapid.

Complications:

Flu can cause Pneumonia, a potentially life threatening disease. Other respiratory conditions may also develop.

Target Group:

Age group between 1 and 20, 50 and above, Pregnant Women, People with a long history of sickness, People working or living in Sanatoriums or Hospices and crowded places such as public transport, shopping Malls, and such. Others can get it too! Don’t rule it out.

Transmission:

Lack of Hygiene in public and work places, and personal life. The virus spreads by air (If a person sneezes or coughs near you the mucous can be deposited in your eyes, nose or mouth) or Touch(If you touch an infected surface, or shake hands with an infected person who has not been hygienic, you may unwitting give the virus hand to mouth/eye route.) Yes the virus can survive out side the body.

Prevention:

Take a shot. Anti flu vaccination is available, so is nasal spray vaccination. The shot has a success rate of about 80% and even if the shot is successful, you may still experience mild flue.

Wipe your hands with an alcoholic rub if you come into contact with a person who is sick or has cold/cough/fever. Wash with disinfectant soap regularly. Avoid standing close to any one. Disinfect after a visit to a crowded place.

Stock up and consume fruit and vegetable juices, particularly the yellow, orange and red color varieties. Citrus family, carrots and pomegranates are known to boost immunity. Salt the juices or mix honey. Do not use sugar. High carbohydrate is a breeding ground for the virus.

Prime your body and your family’s. Do work out. Better blood circulation is good to counter infections. Stamina and Strength will carry you through even if you get the infection.

Try and maintain a slightly cold temperature at home and workplace. A warm place is an ideal place for virus to multiply and spread.

If there is sickness:

Isolate if you suspect it is flu. Flu in your area is good enough a reason for this. This is a very highly infectious disease. Protecting the sick and others is a priority.

Initially it may not be very clear whether it is flu or not. If you think it is an emergency, go to the doctor right away! Normal over the counter medication is good enough for a day or two. If the symptoms add up or do not subside even after this, seek medical help. Your Doctor will take good care of the sickness.

Precautions:

A lot of care is to be taken to prevent the spread of the disease. Assuming you are the caretaker, you will have to disinfect every time you come out of the room. Bathroom for the sick should be separate and will be sanitized at least once in a day. The crockery which the sick use should be sanitized before it comes out of the room. Maintain a pail of water with strong antiseptic to soak them. In case of nausea and vomiting, encourage vomiting into the pail. This saves you a lot of hassle. Change water as and when required. Provide antiseptic sprayed tissue for use when sneezing or coughing or wiping. Toiletry items like Tooth brush and shaving kit will have to be sterilized before and after every use. This will prevent re-infection. Replace the normal soap you use with an antiseptic soap.

Coping with flu:

If, the patient is not mobile then, a hospital is the only place for treatment.

A lot of rest is required. Extreme fatigue is part of the package, there is no option. So, rest till recovery it is! Make it a fun time. Put on a favorite movie for enjoyment or play a song, encourage humming along with it or tune in a situational comedy or a cartoon show, the laughter will do a lot of good. This will divert the mind off the sickness and boost confidence, while giving company to offset the isolation. Enforce restful sleep too.

Fluids are a must. The water in them will wash away the toxicity of the flu and that of residual medication. A well hydrated patient is half way to recovery. Serve fruit juices, salted or plain, with a little honey and pepper. Honey and pepper are natural expectorants. They expel accumulated mucous and free air passages. Avoid sugar and sweeteners. Serve cool, not cold. Serve broth and soups warm. Solid food may not be desirable because of the nausea. Liquids generally stay down, and are less pain if they come up. Ban sodas and coffee, Sodas for the lack of nutrition and high carbohydrates and coffee, because it is a diuretic and can dehydrate. Weak tea is O.K.

Fluids liquefy the mucous built up in the air passages and may result in running nose and ‘wet’ cough. Both of these give good relief. Steam inhalation is really effective in getting rid of the tough stringy mucous. All the expectoration must go the pail.

Poultice is a good idea. Wet grind mustard or black pepper and spread the paste on a piece of cloth. Fold and place it on a painful area and remove after a couple of minutes. Any delay and it smarts like a burn. Wipe off the seeped paste fast. The warmth, generated by a little smarting, increases the blood circulation to the area and relieves pain. It works!

A slice of ginger in the cheek will ease the cough.

Be cheerful and make the patient happy. The suffering and the confusion is distressing enough. I know you will extract the price later. So cheers! Get on with life.


     
      Snow on the Shoulders, Dandruff.
      Cholesterol and Exercise
      Understanding Cholesterol.
      If at all you must-drink
      Viral Flu and You