Coughing, sniffling, shivering. The Netherlands, including Groningen and Drenthe, are suffering from a flu epidemic. Is the flu dangerous or will it go away on its own? Infectiologists from the Treant hospitals list facts and fables.
Fact: Flu is also known as influenza
Flu, also known as influenza, is an infectious disease. Influenza comes from the Italian influenza di freddo, ‘the influence of the cold.
Myth: You get the flu more quickly in the winter
People get the flu from the influenza virus. The virus that is in the respiratory tract (mouth, nose, throat, trachea, lungs) causes inflammation of the mucous membrane. You get the flu more often in the winter, because the virus can spread more easily. So it’s not the cold itself that makes you sick.
Myth: There is only one type of virus that gives you the flu
There are many different types of viruses that can cause the flu. There are two types of Influenza viruses that cause flu in humans. These are Influenza A and B. These types can be subdivided into other types. These species are given letters and numbers. For example, H1N1 stands for swine flu.
Fact: Corona is not the flu
Flu and corona can both cause inflammation of the airways, but they are two different diseases. Flu is caused by an influenza virus. Corona is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Both the flu and corona can cause cold complaints. With corona you lose your taste and smell more often. It can take a long time before you have your taste and smell back. With the flu it is not often that you lose your taste and smell. If it does, it will only last a very short time.
Fact: You can get the flu more often
You can get the flu more than once. If you are healthy, you often do not get the same type of virus again. It is true that viruses can change. If a virus changes very much, you can become ill again from the flu virus.
Fact: You can die from the flu
Especially people aged 60 and older and people with various conditions, such as diabetes, heart, lung or kidney disease or reduced resistance, can become seriously ill. Sometimes they can even die from it.
Myth: Antibiotics help against the flu
Antibiotics only kill bacteria. Since the flu is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not help. In most cases, the advice is to take a rest and drink enough water. Paracetamol helps against the pain and fever.’
Fact: The flu shot is the best protection
The annual flu shot protects against the types of virus contained in the vaccine. Because there are different types of virus every year, you need a new flu shot every year. Those who do get the flu after the shot often have less problems with it.
Myth: Stomach flu is also a type of flu
Stomach flu is not the same as the flu. Stomach flu is a collective name for various stomach and intestinal infections. It can be caused by viruses and bacteria. Stomach flu causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The common flu can cause inflammation of the airways, but also in other parts of the body.
Advice: keep your distance
The infectiologists advise you to be careful and to keep your distance from others if you have complaints.