Flu in Summer? But how and why?

But wasn’t cold and flu only meant to happen in Winter?

Photo by David Law on Unsplash

It’s the start of June and summer is at its rising point even though it was 40°+ degrees, before June even started here in my country lying in the temperate zone, therefore my winter flu barely got any relief, Summer started rising and like usual I became another usual victim of 'The summer flu' of course.

Even though I’ve always felt like this particular influenza virus might have some personal beef with me because I don’t see any of my friends get it, they are enjoying ice cream and cold beverages full time and I’m waking up with a sore throat, runny nose, headaches, summer breakouts and what not. Reluctantly speaking I’m tired of hating summer already and missing winter like a hopeless romantic.

(dramatic cold breeze)...🍃🍂

(I’m gonna stop venting and get to the real question now how and why? Sincere Apologies :)

• Why do we get Flu in Summer?
  The answer isn’t as complicated as it seems, The influenza virus not only occurs during cold and fall weather but it’s regulating around the globe through out the year, therefore flu is not limited to only infect human beings during cold weather. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source detects influenza viruses year-round.
• What is flu?

The flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection (Acute) caused by the influenza virus. The virus causes seasonal epidemics of respiratory illness that occur during the fall and winter months but it can be treated by taking Vaccine, precautions, medications and home remedies but some people recover without treatment as well.

• What are the symptoms of being infected by the influenza virus (Flu)?
• Frequently described symptoms of flu are:

1. Mild to slight Fever
2. Mild Chills
3. Cough
4. Runny or Stuffy nose
5. Sore Throat
6. Headaches
7. Mild to General body discomfort.
8. Body Aches.
9. Fatigue (tiredness)
10. Vomiting and diarrhea (More common in children than adults)
11. Lost of appetite (not feeling like eating)

You don’t have to have all of these symptoms to be infected by the influenza virus even half of them can indicate that you’re having Flu.

Photo by Kristine Wook on Unsplash

• How cautious is the Influenza virus?

(Main key facts and throughout influence)

1. There are around a billion cases of seasonal influenza annually (Majority of them being easily treatable) with including 3–5 million cases of severe illness.
2. It causes 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths annually(Most common severe cases include children under the age of 5 and adults with severe complications in the respiratory system).
3. Ninety-nine percent of deaths in children under 5 years of age with influenza-related lower respiratory tract infections are in developing countries.
4. Symptoms begin 1–4 days after infection and usually last around a week,Fatigue and body discomfort may last for one more week.
5. In industrialized countries most deaths associated with influenza occur among people aged 65 years or older.

(Source: WHO “World health Organization”)

Influenza can worsen symptoms of other chronic diseases. In severe cases influenza can lead to pneumonia and sepsis. People with other medical issues or who have severe symptoms should seek medical care immediately as it could be a medical emergency.

Furthermore,there are 4 types of influenza viruses consisting of:

1. Virus A
2. Virus B
3. Virus C
4. Virus D

• Virus A Influenza:

A viruses are further classified into subtypes according to the combinations of the proteins on the surface of the virus. Currently circulating in humans are subtype A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) influenza viruses. The A(H1N1) is also written as A(H1N1)pdm09 as it caused the pandemic in 2009 and replaced the previous A(H1N1) virus which had circulated prior to 2009. Only influenza type A viruses are known to have caused pandemics.

• Virus B Influenza:

B viruses are not classified into subtypes but can be broken down into lineages. Influenza type B viruses belong to either B/Yamagata or B/Victoria lineage.

• Virus C Influenza:

It is detected less frequently and usually causes mild infections, thus it does not present public health importance.

• Virus D Influenza:

Is known to primarily affect cattle and are not known to infect or cause illness in people.

(Influenza A and B viruses circulate and cause seasonal epidemics of disease, hence the are the high rating viruses type for causing Flu.)

Photo by Kristine Wook on Unsplash

• Treatment, Home remedies and Precautions of Flu :

I’m severe cases of being Infected by influenza virus immediate vaccination is prescribed whereas in normal cases (doesn’t include pregnant women, children under 5 years of age, Adults above 60 as they are at high risk) following things are recommended:

1. Getting proper rest for faster recovery.
2. Drinking plenty of fluids
3. Take medications to treat fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose. (Prescribed by Doctors or pharmaceuticals).
4. Taking Antiviral drugs and prescriptions.
5. Staying hydrated and maintaining appetite by eating nutrients and minerals needed by a human body to keep foreign bodies(viruses, bacteria) from entering the immune system.
6. Avoiding contact with people to avoid spreading the virus and staying indoors.
7. Wash and dry your hands regularly and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
8. Covering your mouth while coughing and sneezing and disposing tissues correctly.

• Some medications recommended by doctors for treating flu symptoms:

1. Paracetamol (Tylenol and Panadol).
2. Ibrufen.
3. Tamiflu (oseltamivir)
4. Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil)
5. Relenza (zanamivir)
6. Saline nasal spray

Remember to take Antivirals for Influenza rather than Antibiotics as they only treat bacterial infections.

• Some home remedies:

1. Drinking teas like black tea, cinnamon tea, lemon and honey tea, chamomile tea.
2. Warm broth and nutritious soups
3. Eating immune boosting vegetables and fruits.
4. Avoiding sugary cold drinks,ice creams and alcoholic beverages.
5. Avoid going out in hot and cold wheather for summer and winter seasonal influenza.

They might not cure flu and cold completely but would help you manage the symptoms.🩷

Read three of my other blogs related to health here:

If our immune system system knew we had eyes we’d go blind!

5 life changing books to read if you’re feeling depressed (A complete guide and insight).

Why do you always get the Flu at the start of winter even after being cautious about it?

And others on my profile here.

🍃.