As flu viruses tend to change over time, and from one year to the next, people can become infected several times during their lives. So what do we recognise as being the classic symptoms of the influenza? The signs and symptoms of flu, which usually last for at least a week, may include: A dry hacking cough, sudden fever, aching body, feeling chilled and generally fatigued, perhaps with a runny or stuffy nose and headache. The young and elderly should get the annual flu jab, and keep a stock of medication such as Tamiflu which can now be bought at online registered pharmacies.

The flu, also known as influenza, is a virus, a communicable infection of the lungs.  If an unsuspecting person touches that same object or shakes hands with an infected person, then proceeds to rub their eyes or scratch their nose, the mucus can be spread. 

When people catch a cold or flu, it is common to get a runny nose.  This runny mucus is one of the first symptoms of a cold.  As the infection progresses, the mucus becomes thicker, turning yellow then green.  Coloured mucus is perfectly normal.  It is the result of white blood cells flooding to the area in an attempt to fight the infection as the cold progresses.

Professor Eccles from the Common Cold Centre in Cardiff wants people to understand “Many people think that yellow or green mucus is caused by bacteria, but this isn’t the case.  It’s because there are billions of white blood cells in the mucus.”

Typical symptoms of the flu, or influenza, are runny nose, fever, headache, chills, nausea and vomiting as well as diarrhoea, dry cough and a general feeling of tiredness.  Often times, a decongestant spray is not enough to help with such symptoms.  Tamiflu is a prescription medicine aimed specifically at treating influenza, preventing it from spreading.  It attacks the virus at its source to stop the spread instead of masking typical symptoms that come with influenza.

Anyone who has suffered through a cold or flu is aware of how ill they tend to make a body feel.  According to Professor Ron Eccles from Cardiff’s Common Cold Centre “It’s your own immune response that makes you feel ill.  When you get a cold, the virus attacks the nose and the back of the throat and it doesn’t take long for the body’s natural defences to start to work.”

Professor Eccles adds: “The immune system detects the virus and floods the area with white blood cells and chemical messengers, and these trigger various symptoms such as headaches and a blocked nose.  During a cold, the lining of your nose is the battlefront.  When your nose feels blocked it isn’t because it’s full of mucus, but because the veins in your nose are inflamed.”

Even though a simple decongestant can help reduce this inflammation, there are times when a more powerful remedy is required.  Taking medication like Relenza can help with difficulty breathing from an uncomplicated viral illness.  Oral inhalers like Relenza are also effective in preventing the virus from multiplying.  By using a decongestant, cold and flu sufferers can reduce the symptoms associated with these conditions.

Osteoarthritis

In people over the age of 60, two out of every 10 will suffer from osteoarthritis, a painful joint disease that affects the knees, hips, spine and hands.  The condition is a gradual one, but steps can be taken to slow its progression.

Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly can help protect the joints by reducing the strain on the knees and hip and keeping muscles strong.  Protecting the joints from minor injuries or sports-related injuries also helps.  Repeated squatting or kneeling stresses the joints.

Diabetes

As with cardiovascular disease, an individual can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, giving up smoking and drinking in moderation.  Having regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks can help detect early warning signs.

Influenza

Elderly people are particularly at risk from contracting influenza and it can sometimes cause death.  NICE (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence) believe that the preventative use of Tamiflu can save lives.  However, in order to avoid the virus acquiring immunity to it the drug is only given to people over the age of 65; those who suffer from respiratory illnesses or asthma; those with renal disease or cardiovascular disease; diabetes; immunosuppression problems or neurological disease.  Tamiflu is not a substitute for an influenza vaccine and only provides protection for as long as the patient continues to take it.

The authorities seem pretty confident that the swine ‘flu epidemic will return this winter so it makes sense to be prepared for it. When you or someone in your family begins to experience flu symptoms, you have 48 hours to take action.  The recognised treatment is Tamiflu and it will pay you to have a stock of the antiviral in the event that the ‘flu strikes you or your family.