Influenza, one of the common diseases found throughout the year, to the point that many people stop being afraid, but it is more dangerous than you think. Doctors reveal that signs of a high fever for more than 5 days are at risk of complications more than the common cold, as severe as COVID, and can be life-threatening.

Influenza is more severe than the common cold. Influenza is one of the common household diseases that we are all very familiar with. To the point that it is not serious at all and does not seem dangerous in people’s perception. Therefore, most people are not aware of the dangers of influenza as much as they should be. But this year, in just one week (January 26 – February 1, 2025), there were the highest number of patients, 17,913, with 2 deaths. หรือถ้าคุณสนใจแทงบอลออนไลน์ UFABET คือเว็บที่มีอัตราต่อรองดีที่สุดในประเทศไทย สมัครเลยตอนนี้ที่ UFABET แทงบอล The death rate is 0.01, several times higher than Covid and tends to increase several times.

Therefore, to make our lives and those of our loved ones safer from the flu, it would be a good idea to get to know a little about the flu, how many strains there are, how dangerous and severe each strain is, and how to protect yourself from this common but not-so-ordinary disease as much as possible.

Influenza, or in medical terms, “flu,” is an infectious disease in the respiratory system caused by the “influenza virus.” It causes the infected person to have a high fever, headache, fever, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and body aches. The influenza virus, which is currently considered the “most vicious” and has the most impact on people in our society, consists of 2 strains:

Influenza A virus

Or called “flu A” for short, is considered the most dangerous strain of influenza because it can mutate and spread widely, making the virus hybrid and virulent. Influenza A viruses tend to spread during the rainy and winter seasons, which can be divided into 2 common sub-strains: H1N1 and H3N2.

Influenza B virus

Or in short, “Flu B” is considered a highly dangerous strain of influenza. The most common ones are B Victoria, B Yamagata, and B Phuket, which can spread during both the rainy and winter seasons.

How dangerous is the flu? How to watch for symptoms to be aware of them?

The symptoms of the flu are generally not much different from the common cold, but are more severe. Signs that indicate that the symptoms we have are not just a common cold but the flu.

• Have a higher than normal fever, i.e. 38 degrees Celsius or higher.
• Have a headache, chills, and feel weak.
• Runny nose, stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing
• Muscle aches and pains in the body, arms, legs, and all over the body

Most flu symptoms last 5 days. If symptoms last longer than that, it may be due to a secondary bacterial infection that occurs in some cases. In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, the flu can also be severe enough to cause life-threatening complications. The most common ones are “pneumonia” and “bronchitis.” Therefore, if you notice more severe flu symptoms than usual, do not be complacent and think that it is just a common cold. Instead, you should see a doctor immediately so that you can receive timely treatment.

Who is at risk of being infected with both types of influenza?

The influenza virus can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing, talking, and inhaling droplets containing the virus into the body. Therefore, “everyone” is at risk of being infected with the influenza virus. The ease of infection depends on 2 main factors: the severity and amount of the virus, along with our physical condition. If our body is not strong, even if the virus is not aggressive and the amount is small, we may still be infected and get the flu. In particular, the following risk groups must be especially careful because they are at the highest risk of severe complications.

• Young children under 5 years of age
• Elderly people aged 65 years and over
• Pregnant women
• Patients with HIV infection, thalassemia, and immunodeficiency
• People who have weak lungs and already have respiratory diseases
• People who are not in good health and have chronic diseases must take medication regularly.
• People who are obese and weigh more than 100 kilograms

Protect yourself from all strains of influenza viruses.

• Wash your hands regularly, especially before eating.
• Use a serving spoon when sharing food with others.
• Get enough rest and eat a healthy diet that includes all five food groups.
• Use a cloth to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to reduce the spread of germs.
• Wear a mask when going out to crowded places such as shopping malls, trains, and cinemas.
• Exercise regularly to keep your mind bright, cheerful, and stress-free.
• Vaccination against four strains of influenza is currently considered the most effective method of prevention. It reduces the chance of getting sick, reduces the severity of the disease, reduces complications, reduces the chance of death, and helps reduce treatment costs more.

Influenza seems to be a common disease that everyone is familiar with and doesn’t seem that scary. But in reality, it is so severe that it can cause death, especially in people who are not in good health and in young children. Therefore, not being careless with the word “flu” and not seeing it as just a common, minor disease is something that everyone should have. And the best way is to get vaccinated to prevent it. Prevention is better than cure.