Understanding the flu

It seems we've known about the flu forever, since Hippocrates first described this illness in 412 BC. But only recently has science finally started to unlock the mysteries of influenza and develop medications that can get us back on our feet faster.

Influenza — or, the flu — is caused by one of three strains of viruses. It wasn't until the 1930s that the first flu virus (Type A) was identified, and we now know it as the most common, as well as the most serious. Type B viruses generally produce a milder version of the flu than Type A, and Type C rarely causes illness in humans.

Flu viruses are highly contagious, entering your body through your nose or mouth. You can inhale the virus when someone with the flu sneezes or coughs near you, or by shaking hands with or kissing someone who is infectious. The virus can live up to three hours outside the body, so you also can pick it up from surfaces such as telephones, doorknobs or shared cups. You're infected when your unwashed hands touch your nose or mouth.

The good news about the flu is that once you've had a particular strain of the virus, you're immune to it permanently. The not-so-good news is that the viruses constantly transform themselves, so every year there are new variations making the rounds. That’s why new flu vaccines are developed for every flu season.

From the time the virus enters your body, it can take up to four days for symptoms to strike. You are most likely to spread the flu to others from the time you first encounter the virus — which means you probably won't even have any symptoms yet — until three or four days after they appear. Flu tends to arrive all at once, with a fever of 38°C to 39°C (101°F to 103°F) that lasts for three to five days, along with headache, chills, dry cough, stuffy nose, sore throat, body aches and loss of appetite. It generally takes most people about 10 days to recover.

Flu season generally runs from November to March, sometimes into April. About three to 7.5 million Canadians catch the flu each year, according to Health Canada, with children two to three times more likely to get it than adults.

• Antiviral medication within 36 hours of symptom onset to shorten the duration of the infection.
• Over-the-counter drugs to ease symptoms.
• Bed rest to allow your body to recuperate.
• Drink lots of fluids to thin mucus.

1. Choose multivitamins carefully. One study of 79 adults age 65 and older found that those who took a daily multivitamin with no trace minerals (tiny amounts of zinc, copper, iron, magnesium or selenium) received less protection from their flu vaccine. Look for a multivitamin that contains these trace minerals, which can help boost immunity. Talk with your doctor about which supplement is best for you.
2. Skip antibiotics. These medications only work against bacteria, and the flu is caused by a virus. However, if you develop a secondary bacterial infection as the result of the flu, antibiotics may be needed.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada offers tips on both preventing and dealing with a case of the flu; contact 1-800-387-6197 or www.cfpc.ca.