{"id":387,"date":"2022-10-10T06:55:15","date_gmt":"2022-10-10T06:55:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/?p=387"},"modified":"2022-10-28T02:52:12","modified_gmt":"2022-10-28T02:52:12","slug":"what-is-influenza","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/influenza-medications\/what-is-influenza\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Influenza? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Highlights\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious illness caused by influenza viruses.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Influenza cases range from mild to severe and commonly cause fever, fatigue, body aches, and respiratory symptoms.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Getting the flu vaccine each year is the best way to protect against severe cases of influenza.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Most people recover from influenza at home, but prescription antiviral medications can help to speed up this process and prevent complications.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>You can find the best prices for influenza medications with BidRx.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dreading flu season? Fortunately, there are many ways to protect yourself from the flu and to recover more quickly. BidRx can get you the best prices for influenza medications to help you bounce back this flu season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s what you need to know about the flu.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Is Influenza?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/about\/keyfacts.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Influenza<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, commonly referred to as \u201cthe flu,\u201d is a contagious viral illness. Influenza viruses attack your respiratory system, infecting your nose, throat, and lungs. The flu can cause mild to severe illness, but most people are able to recover with care at home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re most likely to come down with flu during flu season, which takes place between fall and early spring. Seasonal flu illnesses are caused by influenza A and influenza B viruses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people refer to stomach viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting as \u201cthe flu.\u201d However, these are not influenza viruses and are different from the seasonal flu.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Influenza Symptoms<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many influenza symptoms overlap with the common cold and COVID-19. However, colds tend to progress more slowly, while flu symptoms are more likely to appear abruptly. Most people feel worse with the flu than they do with a common cold.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common flu symptoms include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eye pain or irritation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Body aches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chills and cold sweats<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue or weakness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fever<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Persistent cough (typically dry)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Runny or stuffy nose<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortness of breath<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sore throat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting or diarrhea (most common in children)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These symptoms typically begin between one and four days after exposure to a flu virus. Healthy people can have symptoms for up to two weeks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The severity of your symptoms and infection can range from mild to severe. The severity ultimately depends on individual health and risk factors.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Influenza Complications<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people who get the flu will recover at home without complications, but some people are at a higher risk for severe cases and health consequences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People most likely to experience serious <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/highrisk\/index.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu-related complications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People 65 years or older<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pregnant women<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children under 5 years old<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serious complications can include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acute respiratory distress syndrome<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asthma flare-ups<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bronchitis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ear infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Older adults and people with chronic illnesses or lung conditions are more likely to develop pneumonia from the flu. This can result in serious health complications, including death.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Influenza Causes<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/about\/disease\/spread.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-391 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/unnamed-46.jpg\" alt=\"People standing in line\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/about\/disease\/spread.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Influenza spreads<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> relatively easily. Influenza viruses spread through tiny droplets expelled when someone with the virus talks, coughs, or sneezes. You may inhale the droplets or pick them up from touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people are contagious before their symptoms appear and for about five to seven days after their symptoms start. People with weakened immune systems may be contagious for a longer period of time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Influenza viruses adapt and change, which causes new strains of virus to emerge. People who are vaccinated or who have recently been exposed to a specific strain of flu virus are less likely to become infected. However, your antibody levels (immunity) will typically decline over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Influenza Risk Factors<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anyone can get the flu. Some people are at a higher risk for being exposed to the flu, coming down with the flu, or developing serious flu-related complications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Factors that increase your risk for the flu include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Age. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children between 6 months and 5 years of age are susceptible to the flu. They\u2019re also commonly in environments like daycares where they are exposed to seasonal flu. Adults 65 years and older are more likely to catch the flu and to develop serious complications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Compromised immune system. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with a weakened immune system, such as people undergoing treatment for cancer, are at an increased risk for catching the flu and for developing serious complications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Living and working conditions. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People who live or work in places with many other residents or patients are more likely to be exposed to the flu. These places may include hospitals, schools, nursing homes, military barracks, or other care facilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Vaccination status. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People who haven\u2019t been vaccinated for the seasonal flu are at an increased risk of catching the flu and for developing more severe cases of the flu.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Influenza Diagnosis<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-390 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/unnamed-45.jpg\" alt=\"Patient doing a nose swab\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your doctor will likely conduct a physical exam and order a test to confirm your diagnosis. Most providers will test you for influenza, strep throat, and COVID-19 to rule out other illnesses. The flu test is typically performed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, which involves a quick nasal swab.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Act early if you suspect you have the flu. Visiting a medical provider early can help you get a diagnosis and medication to prevent complications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should seek emergency care if you experience any of the following symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chest pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ongoing dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seizures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortness of breath or trouble breathing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe weakness or muscle pain<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Influenza Prevention<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-389 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/unnamed-44.jpg\" alt=\"Happy man with a Band-Aid on his arm\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to prevent the seasonal flu is to get a yearly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/prevent\/keyfacts.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">influenza vaccine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The influenza vaccine isn\u2019t 100 percent effective, but it can reduce your risk of severe illness and serious complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people six months of age or older can get vaccinated for influenza. You should schedule your flu vaccine early, as it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies after vaccination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Preventing the Spread of Influenza<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you\u2019re vaccinated, you should take steps to protect yourself (and others) from getting or spreading the flu.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These steps include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Avoid anyone who is sick.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Avoiding crowded places or people you know are symptomatic can help you to reduce your exposure to influenza (and other viral infections).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Avoid touching your face. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose without first washing your hands.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Clean surfaces.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Keeping your living and working spaces clean and sanitized throughout flu season can prevent you from coming in contact with contaminated surfaces.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cover coughs and sneezes. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always cover your own coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow. Encourage others in your household and living space to do the same. You may wish to wear a facemask around others while you\u2019re contagious.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Wash your hands. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer if you don\u2019t have access to soap and water.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Influenza Treatment<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people recover from influenza with over-the-counter (OTC) and home remedies. However, prescription <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/treatment\/treatment.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antiviral medications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you recover faster and avoid developing serious flu-related complications. People who are at higher risk for complications should consider prompt medical attention and antiviral medications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved four antiviral drugs to treat influenza:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/oseltamivir.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oseltamivir<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Tamiflu)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/zanamivir.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zanamivir <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Relenza)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/peramivir.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Peramivir<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Rapivab)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/baloxavir-marboxil.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baloxavir marboxil<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Xofluza)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can manage your symptoms and aid your recovery at home by:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drinking fluids<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting plenty of rest<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using OTC pain relievers and fever reducers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using OTC decongestants or cough suppressants, as needed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gargling warm salt water to help with sore throat<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay home to prevent spreading influenza to others. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any serious symptoms, such as shortness of breath.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Get the Lowest Price for Influenza Medications<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You shouldn\u2019t have to put up with influenza for one to two weeks. We\u2019ve got you covered with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/Contents\/medication\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lowest prices<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for influenza medications at BidRx.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We invite pharmacies across the country to compete for your prescription. Simply sign up, create your bid, and wait for pharmacies to compete for your business. You can even choose from local drug stores, online, mail-order, and speciality service providers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve selected your pharmacy, you can pick it up locally or have it delivered. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/Contents\/medication\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create your bid<\/span> <\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">today!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Highlights\u00a0 Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious illness caused by influenza viruses.\u00a0&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":392,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-influenza-medications"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/387","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=387"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/387\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":439,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/387\/revisions\/439"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=387"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=387"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=387"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}