While flu, also known as influenza, generally always involves the same symptoms, there can be variations in the strength of specific symptoms. For example, in one year, the flu symptoms may cause a little more sore throat, while in another year, they may cause more fever. The flu virus changes every year. This is also the reason the flu vaccine is needed every year.
● Flu epidemic
A flu pandemic occurs when the flu virus changes so that our immune system can no longer fight it off properly. This is a global flu, meaning many people worldwide will get the flu within a few months. The flu symptoms are then often much worse. This flu occurs every 10 to 15 years and causes many more illnesses and deaths than the usual annual flu virus. An example of a flu pandemic is swine flu. Moreover, lets discuss the ins and outs of flu as well as how long does the flu last in detail.
● Flu in the summer
You can also get the flu in the summer. Although people often think this is the same virus as in the fall and winter, this is usually not the case. Summer flu is, in most cases, stomach flu. Stomach flu manifests in the same symptoms as the regular flu but also involves vomiting and diarrhea.
● Flu contagious
Highly contagious. It is transmitted through airborne saliva particles when people sneeze or cough. When you have the flu, you are contagious for up to 5 days after the first symptoms appear. The contagiousness only decreases when you start to feel better. In children, the period during which they can infect other people takes another five days longer!
● Flu incubation period
The symptoms don’t come on right away when you get the flu virus. The incubation period, which is the time it takes for symptoms to show up, is 1 to 7 days for the flu virus. On average, people become ill two days after contracting the virus. You are also contagious during the incubation period. How long does the flu last? The flu typically lasts five days. Although this seems like a long time, you are not confined to your bed for five days. The symptoms usually decrease in severity after 2 to 3 days. It can take up to 3 weeks before you feel great again.
So how long you have to stay home when you have the flu depends on your thoughts. You must contact your doctor if you have the flu that does not go away. Usually, this is unnecessary, but if you notice that the fever lasts longer than five days or you get sick again after you seem to be cured, this is recommended. People with a reduced immune system (the elderly, children, chronically ill people such as diabetes, etc.) are also advised to consult a doctor if in doubt.
