Influenza Symptoms
What are the chief symptoms of an influenza infection, and how do you distinguish the signs from a brush with the common cold? Flu and cold infections are caused by viruses, and share many of the same tell-tale signs and symptoms, with the flu generally being the more debilitating of the two illnesses.
Unfortunately, the earliest signs of influenza are typically ignored by the victim, as the symptoms are usually equated with heavy stress, or the result of a very hard day at work.
Following are the most common symptoms in the order they generally progress:
Ache in the Bones. If you are paying attention and notice a tightening in the neck and shoulders, or a tremendous building ache up along the spine and spreading into the shoulders, or even a throbbing ache in the legs, this can be the body's immunal response to a viral infection, especially the flu. The immune system generates white blood cells which release tremendous amounts of cytokine and chemokine agents. In a sense, this achiness in the bones is you actually feeling your bones at work, or the bone marrow, at work producing the proper white cells to immediately go on attack to defend the body from the viral invader. It is from the bones that the first defensive measure is launched, and thus the first noticeable symptom of approaching, encroaching influenza, is this pain felt in the larger bones.
Upon notice of these initial symptoms, it is a good idea to drink green tea and generate steam with a hot-steam vaporizer. The flu, especially in its initial phases, upon invasion, does not react well with both humidity and green tea. Also respond with both Ginger and Oregano. Also perform a NeilMed nasal flush as soon as possible, as well as a salt-water gargle. Hit these main places first, as these are the entry points of influenza.
Itchy Nose/Production of Mucus. The nose and nasal passages is one of the first key entry points of the influenza virus. After the initial production of white blood cells to respond to a viral invader, the body produces mucus in an attempt to isolate the offending particulate, and eventually flush the contaminant from both the nose and throat. This mucus is initially clear and watery, and as the infection continues, the mucus becomes thicker and darker. A deep itch generally accompanies this mucus and is at first felt in the nose and nasal passages, and later in the throat.
The typical sore throat is usually produced after much mucus has been produced by the body and flooded down the back of the throat, and the membranes in the throat are irritated and inflamed.
NOTE: It is urgent that you do not use "mucus relievers," especially at the beginning of an influenza attack. Mucus is one of the key responses to influenza, and crippling the initial production of mucus is like taking away weapons from soldiers at the thickest exchange in a ferocious battle.
Achiness in Muscles. Muscle soreness and an overall achiness is another key symptom of influenza that is generally not as prevalent in an attack of the common cold, and is much more pronounced in the flu. This soreness is a by-product of fever, and an overall cell dehydration, as a fever burns away water stored in the body. It is very important to keep the body hydrated, even if nausea prevents the drinking of much fluid intake. Drink ginger ale (it is important to find a natural soda such as "Blue Sky" that contains REAL ginger) in small quantities, as well as swallowing one or two ginger capsules. Powdered ginger spice may be added to green tea, as well, and this concoction sipped throughout the ordeal. Ginger soothes the stomach, thus allowing for fluid intake, replenishing the body with much-needed water, thus eliminating the dehydration of the cells, and relieving the achiness in the muscles.
Fever. An elevated body temperature, approximately 99-102 degrees Farenheit (37.2-38.8 degrees Celsius) is a normal fever temperature to be expected during an invasion of the influenza virus. Within this range nothing should be taken to reduce the fever, as this is one of the primary immune system responses to viral infection. It is no coincidence that influenza does not do well at higher temperatures, but much prefers colder climates. With children it is very important to monitor the course of the fever, and anything above 102 degrees (38.8 degrees Celsius) should be cause for alarm.
At fever temperatures at 104 degrees or above (40 degrees Celsius), a physician should be consulted, or the patient should be transported to an emergency room at temperatures above 105 degrees (40.5 degrees Celsius). In an emergency situation, where transportation is not available, the patient should be placed in a cold bath to bring down the temperature.
For adults, common aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is best. The intent is to bring the fever down to an acceptable range. For children, Tylenol (Acetaminophen) is best and common aspirin should not be given to children.
The course of a fever should always be monitored, and dehydration is a consideration.
Coughing/Sneezing. As an influenza infection progression, coughing and sneezing become primary symptoms, generally in reaction to an overabundance of mucus production. Sneezing is the body's way of attempting to clear an invader from the nose, and mucus build-up both irritates and inflames the mucus membranes of the nose and nasal passages. Initial coughing in usually in reaction to mucus back-dripping down the throat and causing irritation to the trachea and lungs.
As the influenza infection progresses to deeper stages, the lungs are infected and the quality of the cough changes in response, to what is known as a "dry cough," wherein the lungs attempt to expel the irritation of the virus itself, as opposed to the reactionary mucus flooding.
In the worst cases of influenza, especially when pneumonia is allowed in via the flu infection, the lungs may begin to fill with fluid, which can produce a very wet cough, even coughing which turns into gagging and vomiting up of liquid and mucus, and later even blood.
Influenza Articles on the Internet:
