Fall Flu Symptoms

Autumn can be said to be a peak season for influenza, because the air is very dry in autumn and the air travels faster at this time, causing the influenza virus to be transmitted through the air and into other people's bodies very quickly. However, many people tend to confuse colds and flu. In fact, colds and flu are two completely different diseases. So what are the symptoms of a person suffering from autumn flu?

Cold vs. Flu, Can't Tell The Difference?

▷Common cold

Symptoms: In the early stages of a cold, there is dry, itchy or burning sensation in the throat, sneezing, nasal congestion, and runny nose. The nasal discharge starts out as clear water and becomes thicker after 2 to 3 days, and may be accompanied by sore throat.

There is usually no fever or systemic symptoms, or only low-grade fever and headache. If there is no concurrent bacterial infection, it usually takes 5 to 7 days to recover.

Treatment: You can buy cold medicine on your own to relieve the symptoms.

▷Influenza

Symptoms: Early symptoms include chills and fever, with body temperature as high as 39°C~40°C, accompanied by headache, body aches, and frequent dry eyes, dry throat, and mild sore throat.

Some patients may experience symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, dry cough, chest pain, and nausea. Sometimes it is accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Treatment: Using cold medicine without authorization will not only be ineffective, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible, otherwise it will delay treatment.

▎How to take preventive measures to stay away from influenza?

Once someone in the family is found to have a cold, pregnant mothers must take protective measures.

▷Clothes

Clothing isolation: Towels, clothes, bedding, etc. used by patients should be washed separately from those of pregnant mothers to prevent influenza viruses from attaching to the clothes of pregnant mothers and endangering their health.

Clothing sterilization: If the pregnant mother has come into contact with influenza patients, she should wash her hands with soap or hand sanitizer to sterilize them in time, and change into clean clothes.

Keep warm: The temperature difference is large in autumn, and you will catch a cold if you are not careful. Therefore, pregnant mothers should pay attention to keeping warm, prepare an extra piece of clothing, and put it on immediately when it is cold to prevent colds.

▷ Food

Drink more water: During the influenza season, pregnant mothers should drink more water to prevent influenza. If you don’t like drinking plain water, you can supplement with some light salt water or oral rehydration salts. In addition, rice soup, honey water, apple juice, as long as it can replenish water, will do.

Eat a light diet: During the flu period, the diet should be light and nutritious, and vitamins should be supplemented in moderation. You can eat more vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, such as apples, oranges, kiwis, etc., to supplement vitamins for the body.

▷ Live

Indoor ventilation: During the flu season, the room should be ventilated frequently to reduce the virus concentration in the house. Even in winter, attention should be paid to indoor ventilation.

Fumigation with vinegar for disinfection: Acetic acid does have disinfecting and bactericidal effects at a certain concentration. Pregnant mothers can close the doors and windows and fumigate with vinegar when going outdoors, and then ventilate the room to ensure fresh air when they return home.

Indoor temperature and humidity: If the indoor temperature and humidity are low, the body will feel cold and the nasal mucosa will be dry, which increases the risk of catching a cold. The optimal indoor temperature in autumn and winter can be controlled at 18~20°C, and the relative humidity can be maintained at around 50~60%.

Foot soaking: In autumn and winter, when the weather turns cold, foot soaking is a good way to maintain health. When the feet are warm, the body will naturally be warm as well. There are many acupoints on our feet. We can massage them properly while soaking our feet to promote blood circulation. When soaking your feet, you should also pay attention to the water temperature. It should not be too hot, and you don’t need to soak for too long. 15-20 minutes is enough.

▷ OK

Wear masks and gloves: Influenza viruses are mostly transmitted through the air. Pregnant mothers can avoid direct contact with cold viruses by wearing masks and gloves on the way to work, on the bus or in other public places. If you need to touch your nose or eyes, do not use your hands directly. It is best to use a disposable tissue.

Wash your hands more often: The first thing a pregnant mother should do after returning home is to wash her hands, face and mouth to remove the viruses carried on her body. It is recommended to use light salt water for gargling, which can not only ensure the moisture of the oral cavity, but also has a certain bactericidal effect.

Avoid places with large crowds: Avoid going to places where people gather and try to rest at home, but this does not mean you cannot go out at all. You should do appropriate outdoor exercise to improve your body's resistance to disease.