Influenza (FLU) - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

As the cooler months approach Dubai, bringing with them a pleasant change in weather and an increase in indoor gatherings, so too comes the annual season for Influenza (Flu). Far more than just a common cold, influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can range from mild to severe, and in some cases, lead to serious complications. Recognizing the distinct symptoms of the flu, understanding how it spreads, and knowing the most effective treatment and prevention strategies are crucial for protecting yourself and your loved ones in a bustling city like Dubai. This comprehensive guide will equip you with vital information on influenza, helping you navigate the flu season with greater awareness and confidence.

What is influenza?

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It is different from a common cold, which is also a respiratory illness but is caused by different viruses and typically presents with milder symptoms.

There are four main types of influenza viruses: A, B, C, and D.

• Influenza A and B viruses are responsible for the annual seasonal epidemics (often referred to as "flu season") that affect humans.
• Influenza C viruses typically cause milder respiratory illness and are not associated with epidemics.
• Influenza D viruses primarily affect cattle and are not known to infect or cause illness in people.

Influenza viruses are constantly changing, which is why new strains emerge regularly. This constant mutation means that a person can get the flu more than once, and it's also why a new flu vaccine is developed each year.

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How Influenza Spreads

Influenza is spread through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus can survive on surfaces for several hours, making it easy to contract by touching contaminated objects and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Common ways of transmission include:

• Person-to-person contact
• Airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing
• Contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, or countertops

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What Are the Key Symptoms of Influenza (FLU)?

The symptoms of Influenza (Flu) typically come on suddenly and are generally more severe than those of a common cold. While not everyone will experience all symptoms, here are the most common signs to watch for:

Common Flu Symptoms:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills: This is a hallmark symptom, though not everyone with the flu will have a fever.
• Cough: Often dry and persistent, it can sometimes be severe.
• Sore Throat: A scratchy or painful throat.
• Runny or Stuffy Nose: Nasal congestion can be prominent.
• Muscle or Body Aches: Aches throughout the body, often more pronounced than with a cold.
• Headaches: Can range from mild to severe.
• Fatigue (Tiredness): This can be profound and last for weeks even after other symptoms subside.
• Chills: Often accompanying fever.

Symptoms More Common in Children:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Flu symptoms typically last about 5 to 7 days, although fatigue may linger longer.

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Cold vs. Flu: What’s the Difference?

Although both are respiratory illnesses, the flu and the common cold are caused by different viruses and vary in severity.

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What Causes Influenza (FLU)?

Influenza is caused by influenza viruses that primarily spread from person to person through respiratory droplets.

1. The Viruses:

• Influenza A and B: These are the main culprits behind seasonal flu. Influenza A viruses are further categorized into subtypes based on proteins on their surface (e.g., H1N1, H3N2). Influenza B viruses are divided into lineages (e.g., B/Yamagata, B/Victoria).
• Antigenic Drift and Shift: Flu viruses constantly change through two main processes:
  • Antigenic Drift: Small, gradual changes in the virus genes over time. This is why we need a new flu vaccine every year.
  • Antigenic Shift: A sudden, major change in influenza A viruses, leading to a new subtype that can cause pandemics (global epidemics) because most people have no immunity to it.

2. How Flu Spreads:

• Droplet Transmission: When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, they release tiny droplets containing the virus into the air. These droplets can travel up to 6 feet and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby, who then inhale them into their lungs.
• Contact Transmission: Less commonly, a person might contract the flu by touching a surface or object contaminated with the flu virus (e.g., doorknob, phone) and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.
• Contagious Period: People with the flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after their illness begins. However, they can infect others starting one day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. Young children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for even longer periods.

3. Risk Factors for Contracting Flu or Developing Complications:

Certain groups are at higher risk of getting the flu or developing serious complications:

• Young Children: Especially those under 5 years of age, and particularly under 2 years.
• Older Adults: Individuals aged 65 years and older.
• Pregnant Women: At any stage of pregnancy.
• People with Chronic Health Conditions: Including asthma, chronic lung diseases (COPD), heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, neurological conditions, blood disorders, and obesity.
• People with Weakened Immune Systems: Due to illness (e.g., HIV/AIDS, cancer) or medications (e.g., chemotherapy, immunosuppressants).
• Residents of Nursing Homes and Other Long-Term Care Facilities.
• Healthcare Workers: Due to increased exposure to the virus.

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Complications of Influenza

If untreated or in high-risk individuals, influenza can lead to serious health complications such as:

• Pneumonia
• Sinus or ear infections
• Sepsis
• Bronchitis
• Asthma exacerbations
• Heart inflammation
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

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Diagnosing Influenza

• Clinical symptom review
• Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test (RIDT) – results in 10–15 minutes
• Rapid molecular assays – more accurate, detect viral genetic material
• Nasal or throat swabs for lab analysis

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Treating Influenza

At-Home Treatment:

• Get plenty of rest
• Stay hydrated
• Use over-the-counter (OTC) medications like:
• Pain relievers (for fever and muscle aches)
• Decongestants
• Cough suppressants
• Expectorants

Mild flu can often be managed at home. However, if symptoms are severe or persistent, visit Fakeeh University Hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

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Flu Season and Prevention in Dubai (2024-2025)

In Dubai and the wider UAE, the flu season typically starts in October and runs through March, peaking during the cooler winter months when people spend more time indoors. However, sporadic cases can occur year-round.

The Most Effective Prevention Strategy: Annual Flu Vaccination

• Get Vaccinated Annually: The seasonal flu vaccine is the single most effective way to protect yourself and others from influenza. It significantly reduces your chances of getting the flu, and if you do get sick, it can lessen the severity of your illness and prevent serious complications, hospitalizations, and deaths.
• Why Every Year? Because flu viruses are constantly evolving, a new vaccine is formulated each year to target the strains anticipated to be most prevalent. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become effective, so it's best to get vaccinated before flu activity increases in the community (ideally by October or November). Flu vaccines are widely available across clinics and hospitals in Dubai, including at Fakeeh University Hospital.

Other Everyday Preventive Actions:

• Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching communal surfaces. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid Touching Your Face: Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth, as this is a common way germs enter your body.
• Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, then dispose of the tissue immediately. If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Avoid Close Contact: Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, stay home from work, school, and public gatherings to prevent spreading the virus to others.
• Clean and Disinfect: Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects at home, work, and school.
• Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: A balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management can help strengthen your immune system.

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Protect Yourself and Others – Get Vaccinated at FUH

Navigating the flu season in Dubai requires vigilance and access to reliable healthcare. At Fakeeh University Hospital, we are committed to safeguarding the health of our community by providing comprehensive services for Influenza (Flu) prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Our state-of-the-art facilities and a multidisciplinary team, including emergency physicians, infectious disease specialists, pulmonologists, and general practitioners, are equipped to provide immediate and effective care. We offer the latest seasonal flu vaccines, rapid diagnostic testing for influenza, and evidence-based treatment plans, including antiviral therapies when appropriate. Our focus is not just on treating the illness, but also on educating our patients about effective prevention strategies to minimize the impact of the flu on their lives.

Don't underestimate the flu. Protect yourself and your loved ones this season.

For urgent medical concerns related to flu symptoms, please proceed directly to the Emergency Department at Fakeeh University Hospital. For routine flu vaccinations or to learn more about our comprehensive health services, contact us today to book a consultation. Your health and safety are our utmost priority.

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