Second Wave of Flu Season Spreading

Woody Short

7 years ago

Fighting the pesky symptoms of the flu season? These fast tips may help you feel better in a short amount of time.

Being a victim of the flu season is never a fun situation. In fact, it can be really uncomfortable and even leave you feeling weak, lethargic, affecting your appetite and your behavior. Knowing how to fight the symptoms is key in ensuring that the illness is a short-lived one.

For those who wonder “can you get the flu twice?”, unfortunately, the short answer is yes. While it is common to consider winter as the typical flu season, where the majority of people are affected by the changes in temperature, one can also get Influenza B during any other time of the year.

Contrary to Influenza A or the one that usually affects during the infamous flu season, Influenza B can only be transmitted from human to human. But what are the Influenza B symptoms?

Despite the fact that they appear during different times of the year, Influenza B symptoms are not that different from those that come with Influenza A. In fact, one of the earliest signs of both ailments, is the appearance of a fever, which is a bit milder when Influenza B has attacked you.

Having a runny nose, cough or a sore throat are also symptoms that are shared between these two illnesses, which need special consideration and attention as they may develop into more serious health complications like bronchitis and pneumonia if left untreated.

One factor that differentiates Influenza B symptoms, is that these include an affliction of the stomach, (which is why many may confuse it with a stomach virus), which can include vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, etc.

For someone people is not uncommon to experience chills, body aches, headaches, and extreme fatigue whenever they’ve caught the bug.

While answering the question of “can you get the flu twice?” may be discouraging for the majority of us, it is important to know that there are many tips and tricks that we can implement right away to avoid being attacked by the flu season or it’s evil sister.

The seasonal flu vaccine, which is given yearly, serves as a preventive measure against both Influenzas A and B, and fight the most common strains on both of these types of viruses.

Furthermore, taking extra precautions when it comes to our hygiene is key in maintaining our body and our space free of bacteria. Whether it is doing a deep cleaning of our home, washing our clothes with hot water and washing our hands often after being outside, all these factors help in preventing getting sick.

Avoid visiting someone that already has the flu, and if you must come in contact with them, take the necessary measures before and after your visit to ensure that you remain the least exposed possible.

While Influenza B may only affect you for a maximum of two weeks, it is important to take the appropriate medicine whenever you start feeling certain symptoms.

Taking supplements as Vitamin C and Magnesium may help boost your immune system and provide extra support to your natural defense mechanism. In addition, there are many over-the-counter medications that can help with a simple congestion, a cough or even a mild fever.

Because these symptoms should ease out after the first 4-5 days, and disappear within a period of 2 weeks, it is not necessary to take further action. However, if you are experiencing symptoms that do not seem to be normal, a visit to an ER or scheduling an appointment with your doctor may be necessary.

Abnormal symptoms that may require medical attention include:

Fast, labored or troubled breathing
Blue-is coloration to skin and nails
A fever that appears with a rash or skin afflictions
Not being able to drink or eat liquids and food
Dizziness and fainting spells
Confusion
Pain or pressure in the chest and/or abdominal area

Paying attention to the earliest symptoms will help you take the necessary measures to shorten the length of the virus, and will allow you to feel better and back to your normal, healthy self in no time.