10 Essential Facts About the Flu This Season You Must Know | ER of Watauga
Every year, flu season brings a variety of influenza strains, and many people wonder, what flu is going around at the moment and how it might affect them. Knowing the current flu strains, symptoms, prevention tips, and treatment options is vital to stay healthy. ER of Watauga provides guidance on flu awareness, when to seek medical care, and how to protect yourself and your family.
What Is the Flu?
The flu, or influenz... more10 Essential Facts About the Flu This Season You Must Know | ER of Watauga
Every year, flu season brings a variety of influenza strains, and many people wonder, what flu is going around at the moment and how it might affect them. Knowing the current flu strains, symptoms, prevention tips, and treatment options is vital to stay healthy. ER of Watauga provides guidance on flu awareness, when to seek medical care, and how to protect yourself and your family.
What Is the Flu?
The flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs, and can lead to mild to severe illness.
Common Symptoms:
Fever and chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Fatigue and weakness
Headaches
Vomiting or diarrhea (more common in children)
Flu spreads mainly through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, making prevention critical.
Current Flu Strains Going Around
The dominant flu strains can vary each year. The most common types include:
Influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2): Can cause severe illness, more common in adults
Influenza B: Often affects children and teens
Health authorities monitor circulating strains to update flu vaccines annually. This helps reduce infection and severe illness.
Who Is at Risk?
Certain groups are more vulnerable to complications from the flu:
Elderly individuals
Young children
Pregnant women
People with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease
Immunocompromised individuals
Prevention Tips
Preventing flu is essential for protecting yourself and others.
Key Measures:
Get the annual flu vaccine
Wash hands regularly with soap and water
Avoid close contact with sick people
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
Disinfect commonly touched surfaces
Stay home if you are sick
ER of Watauga emphasizes vaccination as the most effective prevention.
Treatment Options
Most healthy individuals recover without hospitalization. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms:
Rest and hydration
Over-the-counter medications for fever and aches
Antiviral medications for high-risk patients (must be started early)
Seek medical care at ER of Watauga if you experience severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, persistent vomiting, or high fever that does not improve.
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