Don't blame everything on the flu.

Not all headaches, runny noses, and fevers are flu. There are similar symptoms but they are not flu. How to distinguish diseases that are easily confused with flu?

Elderly people and those with underlying diseases are more likely to have serious complications when they get the flu - Photo: D.LIEU

Cases of high fever, headache, body aches, cough, runny nose... have symptoms very similar to the flu but are not actually seasonal flu.

The disease is not flu.

The first is the flu, or cold.

This "sibling" has many things in common with the flu, such as a mild fever, sore throat, runny nose, and nasal congestion. However, a cold usually does not cause a high fever and severe body aches like the flu.

The second is bacterial pharyngitis. This causes a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and a dry or phlegmy cough. Sometimes pharyngitis also causes a low-grade fever and headache, which can be easily confused with the flu.

The third is COVID-19. Patients have fever, cough, sore throat, loss of taste and smell... Some cases of COVID-19 can also cause headaches, muscle aches, fatigue similar to the flu.

Should rely on the symptoms and progression of the disease will see the difference.

Flu: Sudden high fever, severe headache, muscle aches throughout the body, dry cough, and extreme fatigue are typical symptoms of flu.

Cold: Usually has milder symptoms such as low fever, sore throat, runny nose, stuffy nose.

Sore throat: Sore throat is the most prominent symptom, accompanied by cough and possibly mild fever.

COVID-19: In addition to respiratory symptoms, COVID-19 can also cause loss of taste and smell, difficulty breathing...

When should you get a flu vaccine?

Dr. Nguyen Trung Cap, deputy director of the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, said that flu vaccination helps reduce the risk of getting sick and reduces the risk of severe complications when getting the flu.

Among them, the elderly; people with underlying diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, obesity; people with immunodeficiency or organ transplants are at higher risk of severe complications when infected with the flu. Therefore, this group of people should be prioritized for vaccination.

"Because influenza viruses have the ability to change antigens frequently, manufacturers must base on the trend of changing antigens of influenza viruses to produce vaccine batches suitable for each annual flu season. Therefore, influenza vaccines are recommended to be injected annually, especially in high-risk groups," Dr. Cap informed.

Speaking with Tuoi Tre, Dr. Than Manh Hung, deputy head of the emergency department at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, also said that people at high risk need to get vaccinated against seasonal flu every year.

Because seasonal flu occurs seasonally, people should get the flu vaccine before flu season, which is usually winter-spring in the North and year-round in the South, so that the body has enough time to create antibodies to protect against the flu.

It usually takes about 2-3 weeks after a flu shot for the body to have enough antibodies to protect against the flu virus. The protection from the flu vaccine peaks about 2-3 weeks after vaccination and can last for 6-12 months, so one shot a year is enough.

Children from 6 months to 5 years old, people over 65 years old, people with underlying diseases, pregnant women need to get the flu vaccine. Some cases should not get the flu vaccine are people with a history of allergies to the vaccine or have a high fever.

When should antiviral drugs be used?

For antiviral drugs, there are two groups of people who need to take this drug: those at high risk of complications such as children, the elderly, people with chronic diseases...

Antiviral drugs are not preventive drugs, they only work when you have contracted the disease or after exposure to the source of the disease. The drug must be used early, within 48 hours, in the correct dosage and time as prescribed by your doctor.

Prevent the flu by keeping your body warm, especially when the weather changes. Maintain good personal hygiene and wash your hands regularly. Wear a mask when going to crowded places. Eat a nutritious diet and exercise regularly to boost your immune system. Limiting contact with crowded places... also helps reduce the risk of catching the flu.

Often mistaken for a cold

According to Associate Professor Do Duy Cuong (Director of the Center for Tropical Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital), a cold is when the body is exposed to cold wind or cold rain, often causing fatigue that goes away on its own after a few days, while the flu is a disease caused by the influenza virus that causes respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever, stuffy nose, sneezing, difficulty breathing... and can cause dangerous complications that require treatment.

Flu often causes high fever (38 - 400C) or chills, headache, body aches, cough, sore throat, runny nose, prolonged fatigue, possibly accompanied by nausea (in children). May be accompanied by abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, need to consider the risk of flu.

Severe cases may progress to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, and low blood pressure. In severe cases, respiratory support may be required for at least 48 hours. Symptoms of seasonal flu range from mild to severe depending on age, comorbidities, vaccination status, and natural immunity to the virus.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dung-cu-benh-gi-cung-do-cho-cum-20250211082637104.htm