Complications after the flu: what should I fear?

The flu is not as terrible as its complications. After the flu, you can suffer even more if you have not been treated correctly. What are the complications after the flu and what to do with them?

What is the flu?

Influenza is an extremely contagious viral disease, which is most often manifested in autumn and winter. Influenza attacks quickly, spreading through the upper respiratory tract, and sometimes invades our lungs.

It ends with pneumonia, bronchitis and tracheitis - not very pleasant. We will have to seriously treat.

Groups at risk of complications after influenza

People with a high risk of complications after the flu are adults over the age of 50, children aged 6 months to 4 years, adults and children with heart or lung disease, people with a weakened immune system (including people with HIV / AIDS), and pregnant women.

What are the symptoms of influenza?

With the flu, you may have the following symptoms :

• Very high temperature (above 39 degrees Celsius).
• Headache.
• Fatigue (it can be very strong).
• Cough.
• Sore throat.
• Runny nose or stuffy nose.
• The body is very sore.
• Diarrhea and vomiting (more often in children than in adults).

When should I see a doctor to prevent complications of the flu?

If you have a fever and shortness of breath, consult a doctor. And here are other symptoms that can be very serious:

• Fever with chills
• Cough with blood or mucus from the lungs

• Labored breathing
• Too often breathing
• Dyspnea
• Chest Pain
• Wheezing

What are the most common complications after the flu?

The most common complications after the flu include viral or bacterial pneumonia, muscle inflammation (myositis), central nervous system diseases and heart problems, including heart attacks, cardiac muscle inflammation (myocarditis), and inflammation of the envelope around the heart (pericarditis).

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Other complications of influenza may include infections of the ear and sinus (otitis and sinusitis), especially in children, dehydration and exacerbation of chronic diseases, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.

Is pneumonia a serious complication after the flu?

Yes, pneumonia is a common and very serious complication after the flu. Pneumonia can develop due to the direct entry of the influenza virus into the lungs or when a bacterial infection develops during the flu. If viral or bacterial pneumonia makes your condition very difficult, you may need immediate hospitalization.

With pneumonia, you may have chills, fever, chest pain, sweating, coughing with green or bloody mucus, increased heart rate, and lips and nails of bluish color due to lack of oxygen. Other symptoms of pneumonia include shortness of breath and severe chest pains when you take a deep breath. Sometimes in elderly people with pneumonia, there is also a feeling of pain in the abdomen. With a bacterial infection, pneumonia is superimposed on influenza, and these symptoms can only worsen, manifested by a higher fever, a strong cough and a greenish tinge of phlegm.

If you have a persistent cough or fever, or shortness of breath, or chest pain - especially if these symptoms supplement another disease, such as flu - you should definitely consult a doctor. Good diagnosis, including chest X-ray and sputum analysis, can help the doctor diagnose pneumonia. Be aware that antibiotics can help with bacterial pneumonia, but they can not help with viral pneumonia.

How long does pneumonia last?

Pneumonia usually lasts about two weeks, and in young children, the elderly and patients with a weakened immune system, even longer. Suffer from pneumonia and those who can have chronic diseases, such as asthma. Even the strongest people can feel tired and weak for a month or more after suffering pneumonia.

What is an inoculation against pneumonia?

To avoid bacterial pneumonia, ask your doctor about the possibility of administering pneumococcal vaccine to you. Currently, there are 2 types of pneumococcal vaccine: pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) for adults and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for children.

The vaccine against pneumonia is quite safe and provides immunity against 23 subtypes of bacteria that usually cause pneumonia.

If you are a healthy adult over the age of 65, you are strongly recommended a vaccine against pneumonia. Some experts suggest that adults under the age of 55 can also receive this vaccine, because their immunological reactivity in this case is higher.

The vaccine against pneumonia is also recommended for people with an increased risk of developing infection, such as heart disease, liver disease, lung disease, kidney failure, diabetes, various cancers, sickle cell anemia. And the vaccine against pneumonia is best done by adults aged 19 to 64 who smoke cigarettes or who have asthma. Vaccine against pneumonia is not recommended for pregnant women.

Four doses of the PCV13 pneumonia vaccine are recommended for all children under 2 years of age. Children from 2 to 4 years who have not yet been vaccinated against pneumonia should receive at least one inoculation. For children aged 6 to 18 with health problems, a single dose of PCV13 vaccine against pneumonia will be sufficient regardless of whether they were previously vaccinated.

How can you protect yourself from complications of influenza?

A vaccine against influenza or a flu vaccine is the best way to prevent disease. Because of the flu, the probability of pneumonia and other complications of influenza increases, so it makes sense to protect yourself from this.

Can flu complications be prevented?

While many complications after the flu can be controlled, some, depending on the state of your immune system, are quite difficult to prevent. Therefore, at the first signs of complications, consult a doctor for recommendations.

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