Flu season is just around the corner

What is influenza?

"I have the flu," we tell our family when we crawl under the covers with a sore throat, cough, runny nose, body aches, and a fever. In everyday speech, we use the term "flu" when we feel sick and need to stay in bed. But for a doctor, the definition of influenza is more specific. Influenza is a recurring virus (influenza A or B, and in rare cases, influenza C) that attacks worldwide and often hits harder than other viruses, as you frequently have symptoms in your throat, nose, and lungs at the same time. Influenza spreads through small droplets from coughing and sneezing, and is therefore transmitted through contact between people or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. There is no effective treatment for influenza, as it is a virus. If you have a fever for more than 5 days, a secondary infection may have developed – often pneumonia or an ear infection. This is bacterial and can be treated with antibiotics.

Other autumn infections

There are over 100 different viruses that can cause a cold, while a true influenza covers 3 different influenza viruses. A cold therefore covers many different respiratory viruses, all of which are highly contagious and affect the airways. Examples of other respiratory viruses include coronavirus and RSV, which affect both children and adults. Most children have had RSV before they turn 2, and the immune system's memory will then minimize the risk of getting it again. The course of RSV is usually a common cold with coughing, a runny nose, and a slight fever for about a week.

Why do flu and colds flourish in the autumn and winter?

● When it gets colder, we move indoors. As a result, we are more often gathered in larger groups in smaller spaces with less ventilation compared to the summer months. In these conditions, the virus spreads easily.

● Colder temperatures and lower humidity make virus particles more stable, allowing them to survive longer outside the body.

● Autumn weather affects your immune system. Normally, the mucus in your airways traps virus particles so you can cough them up. The colder, drier air affects the production of mucus in your airways, making it easier for the virus to get through. Cold air also makes your immune system less effective, and less sunlight can lead to a Vitamin D deficiency during the winter months.

All in all, the virus thrives better in the winter months, and our immune system has a harder time.

The "first" influenza pandemic

The Spanish Flu is also called the "mother of all pandemics," as it is the first epidemic for which we have solid data. The Spanish Flu raged from 1918 to 1920 during World War I. It spread across the entire globe and is believed to have killed 50 million people, which is more victims than the war itself. Atypically, the Spanish Flu also struck during the summer, and young people were hit hard. It is believed that the soldiers' weakened immune systems, due to malnutrition and stress from intense fighting and chemical attacks, made them more susceptible to the infection. The origin of the Spanish Flu is unknown, and the pandemic got its name because the first official reports came from Madrid.

World War I made it easy for the disease to spread between continents. Troops moved from military camps and trenches between cities and countries, by train and ship through cities, ports, and stations – the disease quickly spread from country to country.

There was no treatment for the Spanish Flu, and doctors were fumbling in the dark. In Denmark, staff used face masks, which had previously only been used during surgeries, but how effective this was is unknown. Prescriptions were written for wine and other alcohol in the hope of preventing infection, and cigars were handed out to staff at some hospitals in an attempt to "smoke away the infection." A few doctors even began to talk about bloodletting again. The authorities in Denmark tried to limit the spread by closing schools and entertainment venues. These measures were handled very differently across the country, and there was a reluctance to close churches, as they were not considered entertainment, so the effect of these closures varied.

Avoid getting sick

● Wash or sanitize your hands often. During the coronavirus pandemic, we developed many habits that are still relevant if you want to limit the spread of infection. We touch many surfaces throughout the day without knowing who touched them last – such as door handles, light switches, shopping carts, pens, railings, etc. If someone before you has blown their nose and has an infection in their body, it can be passed on to you.

● Exercise. Exercise strengthens blood circulation and helps white blood cells move around the body. White blood cells help the body fight infections.

● Sleep. If you don't get enough sleep, it affects the body's immune system. You should aim for 7-8 hours of sleep every night. When you are sick, your body needs more sleep, as it fights illness more effectively while you are resting.

● Stress. If you are stressed, you will have higher cortisol levels. Cortisol suppresses the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections.

● Vitamins. We may experience a deficiency in Vitamin D, which comes from the sun, during the winter months. You can get Vitamin D from foods like eggs, liver, and salmon, or you can take a supplement in the form of a vitamin pill.

● Diet. A healthy and varied diet provides the body's building blocks. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seeds, and fish, along with plenty of water, gives the body the strength to withstand the dark winter.

● Smoking. Smokers get the flu or sore throats more often. This is partly because the body's immune system is constantly overworked trying to fight the toxic substances from cigarette smoke. When the immune system is overworked, it means that wounds and other injuries take longer to heal. Similarly, after an operation, the body will take longer to recover. Smoking also affects your mucous membranes, which will be more susceptible to viruses and other infections entering your body.

How the body fights illness

Temperature is one of the first warning signs you can detect when the body reacts to, for example, an infection or a virus. Therefore, it pays to keep a close eye on your temperature, even while you are healthy.

By measuring your temperature daily, you get a precise picture of your so-called normal temperature. This varies from person to person and will also change depending on where on the body you measure it. By monitoring this, you can more easily notice the first slight increase and take action before the illness truly breaks out. At the same time, you can much more quickly prevent the infection from spreading in the workplace and in other social settings.

When body temperature rises during illness, it is because the immune system is reacting to the presence of a foreign invader, such as a virus. The fever is intended to make life difficult for the virus and stimulate the body's own cells to fight it. You can feel this quickly - and measure it even faster.

You can buy the thermometer that suits you and your needs here.

‍STETOSKOP.DK has a wide selection of quality thermometers, and our staff has extensive knowledge of temperature and thermometers. You are always welcome to contact us for further information so you can be sure you are choosing the right product for your needs.

Sources:

Why flu and colds hit hardest in winter (videnskab.dk)‍
‍Autumn flu and viruses come from your friends - Magasinet Helse‍
‍The immune system and smoking - Op I Røg (op-i-roeg.dk)‍
‍The Spanish Flu 1918 - 1920 | dsr.dk