Flu (influenza)

What is flu?

The real flu, also known as influenza, is an acute respiratory illness. It is a serious, sometimes life-threatening illness caused by flu viruses. Colds or “flu-like infections”, on the other hand, are caused by other pathogens. In Germany, there are flu waves with varying degrees of spread and severity in the winter months following the turn of the year. Influenza viruses are constantly changing and often create new variants. As a result of these changes, you can catch and fall ill with the flu more often over the course of your life. That is why the influenza vaccine is also adjusted almost every year.

Our avi practices are once again offering the latest influenza vaccinations this fall. You can find more information here.

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How are flu or influenza viruses transmitted?

From person to person
The flu is very contagious. When sneezing, coughing or talking, the smallest, virus-containing droplets of nasopharyngeal secretions from patients get into the air and can be inhaled by other people nearby.

The viruses are also passed on through the hands if they have come into contact with virus-containing secretions. If the mouth, nose or eyes are then touched, the flu viruses can enter the body via the mucous membranes.

About contaminated objects
The pathogens can also stick to door handles, handrails or similar objects and can be passed on from there via the hands.

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What signs of illness do flu sufferers have?

Around a third of all illnesses typically start with a sudden onset of illness, fever, sore throat and dry cough, accompanied by muscle, limb, back or headache. Especially in older people, the signs of illness are often not as pronounced and are more like a cold. If the course is uncomplicated, the symptoms disappear after 5 to 7 days. However, the cough can last much longer.

The severity of the condition may be different. A flu infection can be mild or completely without symptoms. However, the flu can also be associated with severe cases of illness, which, in the worst case, lead to death.

As the most common complications Pneumonia is feared. Middle ear infections may also develop in children. Inflammation of the brain or heart muscle can rarely occur.

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When does the disease break out and how long are you contagious?

After an infection, you feel the first symptoms relatively quickly after 1 to 2 days. Patients can be contagious the day before the symptoms start and up to about 1 week after the first signs of illness occur. Children or people with a weakened immune system can also eliminate the pathogens for a longer period of time.

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