Flu (Grippe, Influenza)
An influenza virus causes the flu, a very common and highly contagious respiratory infection. Some people mistakenly refer to a cold or any upper respiratory disorder as the flu. But in reality, the flu is a more severe illness than the common cold. Not only can it lead to pneumonia, but some types of the disease are even fatal. For example, the great epidemic of Spanish flu in 1917 killed millions of people throughout the world.
A bout of flu confers immunity against that particular virus strain, but because these viruses quickly change, or mutate, new strains emerge every few years. In general, however, a flu virus falls into one of three categories. Type A, the most common, is responsible for the serious and widespread epidemics; Type B also causes epidemics, but with milder cases than those of Type A; Type C is relatively uncommon, but sometimes causes outbreaks of mild flu.
Diagnostic Studies and Procedures
Your own observation of symptoms is usually enough to tell you that you have the flu, particularly if there has been an epidemic in your area. Flu symptoms are similar to those of a bad cold -- fever, sore throat, muscle aches, running nose, cough, and headache -- but they come on more suddenly, are more severe, and last longer. If you consult a doctor, she will do a physical examination and possibly order blood tests and a sputum culture. A chest X-ray may also be necessary if the symptoms suggest the presence of flu-related pneumonia.
Medical Treatments
A physician's care is usually not needed unless you are part of a group with a high risk for developing serious complications. In such cases, if a Type A virus is involved, a doctor may prescribe amantadine (Symmetrel), an anti-Parkinson's disease drug that has an antiviral effect. Or he may prescribe an antibiotic to prevent secondary pneumonia, especially if you suffer from asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or another lung disorder.
Alternative Therapies
Although they are unlikely to shorten the course of the flu, a number of alternative therapies may alleviate the symptoms of the illness.
Aromatherapy. Therapists recommend placing 5 drops of cinnamon oil in 1 tablespoonful of water and inhaling the scent three times a day; they also advise massages or baths using lemon, pine needle, or rosemary oil.
Herbal Medicine. Boneset has long been advocated to relieve the so-called breakbone fever caused by influenza. Herbalists today still use it to treat fevers resulting from a cold or the flu. It is most often given in an infusion of 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried flowers and leaves in 1 cup of water, to be drunk hot at intervals of 30 minutes until the fever abates. It is also available in capsules and tinctures. A mixture of boneset, elder flowers, licorice, and peppermint can also be taken as a hot tea every two to three hours or consumed in capsule or tincture form.
Homeopathy. Aconite and nux vomica are recommended during the early stages of flu. One dose a week of bacillinum 30 and influenzinum 30, given separately or in combination, may be advised for severe cases. Baptisia is used for headache, aching limbs, and fever, and arsenicum album for chills and diarrhea.
Hydrotherapy. For the achiness of flu. take a hot shower or bath; also try soaking your feet in a basin of hot water for 20 minutes twice a day.
Self-Treatment
Bed rest, while your body fights the virus, is the best medicine. If you have a fever, drink extra fluids, including fruit juice, tea, and broth, to prevent dehydration. Extra fluids also help thin any lung secretions.
For a sore throat, try gargling with warm, double-strength tea, or warm salt water. Acetaminophen, aspirin, nasal sprays, and decongestants may relieve minor discomfort; however, do not give aspirin to anyone under the age of 18 who has a viral infection, because it increases the risk of Reye's syndrome.
See a doctor if you have fever and are pregnant; or if a fever rises to 103°F (39.5°C) in anyone under age 60, 102°F (39°C) in an adult over 60, or 100°F (38°C) in an infant.
Other Causes of Flu Symptoms
Symptoms similar to those caused by the flu may occur with a bad cold, strep throat, scarlet fever, mild meningitis or encephalitis, or a sinus infection. A high fever accompanied by a cough that produces bloody, brown, or greenish mucus, points to bronchitis or possibly pneumonia.