In the photo: A man gets the flu vaccine administered at a health center in Valencia, Spain, 08 January 2024. Flu, Covid, and RSV illnesses are on the surge in Europe. The Spanish Government is to decide whether or not to reinstate the mandatory use of masks at hospitals and health centers to avoid a bigger spread. EPA/BIEL ALINO
The flu virus causes seasonal influenza, an infectious respiratory illness. Whenever the weather turns chilly, it's flu season. Influenza often strikes Europe during the winter months, causing devastating outbreaks.
Young children, the elderly, and those with preexisting medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to the devastating effects of influenza and its severe effects. Pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and acute respiratory distress caused by a severe lung infection are problems that might arise from an influenza infection.
Estimates put the number of severe influenza cases worldwide at 3–5 million. Flu kills between 280,000 and 650,000 people annually. Estimates of yearly fatalities due to seasonal flu were calculated in the Global Pandemic Mortality Project II using data collected from 2002 to 2011. They revealed that at that time, the annual global death toll ranged from 294,000 to 518,000.
American researchers at "Johns Hopkins" University found that 319.31 out of 100,000 Bulgarians had perished as a result of the epidemic so far. The Statistics Office reported 25,100 fatalities during the exceptionally severe 2017–2018 flu epidemic.
Prevention measures for the common cold
First and foremost, you should avoid being around ill individuals and practice proper personal hygiene if you want to stay healthy during flu season. Disposable disinfecting wipes containing alcohol, covering one's mouth and nose with one's hand when coughing or sneezing, and regular hand washing with soap and water are all part of this.
To avoid contracting influenza, vaccination is recommended. Individuals at risk for influenza, including the elderly, those between the ages of 50 and 65 (varies by country), and those with preexisting medical problems, are encouraged by EU Member States to get a seasonal flu vaccine. It is estimated that 37,000 lives are saved annually in the European Union, only with seasonal flu vaccinations.
Some viral infections, like the flu, have distinct symptoms than others. Common symptoms of the flu include a high temperature, headache, and cough. To be sure, a runny nose isn't always a symptom of the flu.
Such a cluster of symptoms is typical of acute viral infections like parainfluenza. A high temperature, laryngitis, hoarseness, or incomplete loss of voice are all symptoms that could indicate these conditions.
At the early stages of an illness, it's easy to mistake the flu for another mild viral illness. Getting medical attention as soon as you feel sick is recommended. At times, viral illnesses may manifest in unusual ways, making a definitive diagnosis impossible without medical expertise.
This article was also prepared with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which the editorial staff of BGNES Agency uses. /BGNES
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