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Flu: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Last Updated: Mar 15, 2024

What is the treatment?

Flu or influenza is a very common disease caused by RNA virus in both animals, birds and even humans. Flu often stands similar to infections caused by other viruses. Diagnosing flu becomes a problem for the doctor as it is difficult to identify the virus causing it and most doctor’s end up naming it as a flu-type infection or disorder. Amongst three different influenza virus, A and B are mostly the cause of flu. Flu is observed to spread mostly in winter, different virus tends to spread flu in every winter.

Flu infection is extremely communicable in nature. Flu gets infected from person to person very easily, like being exposed to sneezing or coughing of an infected person or even touching the surface of virus disposition. Some of the common symptoms that indicate that a person has got flu are high temperature or fever, headache, nausea, dry cough, sneezing, severe sore throat, pain-stricken joints and muscles and sweat. On the other hand, if you tend to face severe symptoms like difficulty in breathing, dizziness, chest or abdominal pain, confusion and blurred vision you must not keep neglecting as these symptoms may arouse the emergency of getting admitted in hospital. It is important to differentiate between flu and cold symptoms and thus calls for the immediacy of consulting a doctor for a proper diagnosis and medication to avoid further growth of infection.

How is the treatment done?

The primary job of the doctor is to get a detailed information regarding the symptoms you are facing. The doctor may ask you for an influenza diagnosis test. In this test, the doctor will take a swab sample from the back of the throat or nose. The results can be generated within few minutes and finally help the doctor to frame proper diagnosis on the symptoms the person is suffering from.

Generally, the vital treatment of flu is to take long rest for about few days and have more amount of fluid in a day. Fluids like soups, juice avoids dehydration and help in improving the condition. In extreme cases, the doctor prescribes antibiotics to enhance the recovery process. Medications are different for persons with asthma and respiratory problems.

In case of patients who have been neglecting the symptoms and end up with worse symptoms like shortened breath, dizziness, excessive headache and more are advised to undergo hospital treatment in order to get control of the condition. The more you take rest, more your body becomes resistant and fight against the infection. Proper care and a strict diet can help in normalizing the condition and get you recovered with 1 week.

Who is eligible for the treatment? (When is the treatment done?)

People experiencing symptoms of flu are suggested to visit a doctor and undergo treatment.

Who is not eligible for the treatment?

Person with no such problem of cold or flu related symptoms do not need to undergo treatment.

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Are there any side effects?

Medicines produce various side effects in the patient. Antibiotics prescribed by doctors to patients for flu may lead to side effects like dizziness, nausea, vomiting tendency, insomnia, discomfort or redness in eyes, nosebleed and also respiratory issues. Once you come across any of unusual effects from medicines, you must inform it to the doctor and he might substitute the medicine.

What are the post-treatment guidelines?

Even when you finally recover from flu, you should maintain few guidelines to avoid any further reoccurrence of symptoms. Rest should be taken until you attain proper recovery. You should maintain few habits that would avoid getting infected with virus and germs. Do remember to use a handkerchief when u sneeze and cough. Remain away from the person carrying germs. Have plenty of water in a day. It helps you to keep hydrated.

How long does it take to recover?

With proper medication and care, recovery from flu is attained within 1 or 2 weeks. However, the body pain and head ache can linger for 7 seven days.

What is the price of the treatment in India?

The treatment includes consultation fees of the doctor and medical expenses. For serious cases, patients are admitted to hospitals that includes much higher treatment cost.

Are the results of the treatment permanent?

Medication and proper care results in permanent recovery. At the same time, being exposed to infection near future may result in flu again. You must maintain guidelines to avoid it.

What are the alternatives to the treatment?

Flu can be treated well at home itself until you reach severe condition to take medicines. Taking rest and drinking more fluid will help a lot. Added to that, a proper diet with vitamin C and vitamin D is a must. You can also have Echinacea, the herb that helps in stimulating immunity to fight against infection in the body. Zinc and essential oil also help in boosting immunity. Honey and cinnamon in hot water show amazing results fastening up the recovery process. Ginger tea is a bliss at this time.

References

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Written ByDr. S.Sagin Raj Diploma in Diabetology,CCRH (certificate in reproductive health),MBBS,F.F.M(family medicine)General Physician
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