Facts and myths about the flu: what is it and how dangerous is this disease?

Fact: The flu is also called the flu

Influenza, also known as influenza, is an infectious disease. Influenza comes from the Italian influenza di freddo, “the influence of the cold”.

Myth: Get the flu faster in the winter

People get the flu from the flu virus. The virus found in the respiratory tract (mouth, nose, throat, trachea, lungs) causes inflammation of the mucous membrane. 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’s 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 flu viruses that cause flu in humans. These are Influenza A and B. These types can be divided into other types. These species are given letters and numbers. For example, H1N1 stands for swine flu.

Fact: Corona is not the flu

Influenza and corona can both cause inflammation of the airways, but they are two different diseases. The flu is caused by a flu virus. Corona is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Both flu and corona can cause cold ailments. With the crown you lose your taste and smell more often. It can take a long time before you regain your sense of taste and smell. With the flu, it’s not often that you lose your sense of taste and smell. If it does, it will only last a very short time.

Fact: You can catch the flu more often

You can get the flu more than once. If you’re healthy, you often don’t get the same type of virus again. It is true that viruses can change. If a virus changes a lot, you can get sick again from the flu virus.

Fact: You can die from the flu

Especially people aged 60 and over and people with various conditions, such as diabetes, heart, lung, or kidney disease, or low stamina, can become seriously ill. Sometimes they can even die from it.

Myth: Antibiotics help with the flu

Antibiotics only kill bacteria. Because the flu is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help. In most cases, the advice is to rest and drink enough water. Paracetamol helps with pain and fever.’

Fact: The flu shot is your best protection

The annual flu vaccine protects against the types of viruses contained in the vaccine. Because there are different types of viruses each year, a new flu vaccine is needed each year. Those who catch the flu after the injection often suffer less.

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 infections of the stomach and intestines. It can be caused by viruses and bacteria. Stomach flu causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The common flu can cause inflammation of the respiratory tract, but also in other parts of the body.

Advice: keep your distance

Infectious disease specialists advise you to be careful and keep your distance from others if you have any complaints.