The common flu has become such a regular occurrence in our lives that we rarely consult a doctor for its cure. However, what we think of as an innocuous infection, can in certain cases cause serious complications and even death.
“People should be very careful regarding viral infections and before popping any medicine themselves, they should get it checked by a doctor,” said Dr Alka Deshpande, former HoD of medicine at JJ hospital.
A normal flu lasts only about 4-5 days. Any fever that lasts beyond that time-frame could be indicative of complications and might not be flu at all, according to Dr Anil Ballani, MD, and consultant physician at PD Hinduja and Lilavati hospitals.
“There are certain signs that everyone should look out for. If the fever is very high and causes delirium, then you should immediately consult a physician. Other signs such as breathlessness, blueness in extremities, restlessness and excessive sweating can be indicative of lack of oxygen circulation and extensive involvement of the lungs,” Balani said.
He adds that if a person’s immunity is compromised either through disease or due to other factors like age, then the flu can turn dangerous very quickly. “If you have diabetes, if you’re an alcoholic, or you have an immunity compromising illness like HIV or cancer, then even a common flu might need medical attention immediately. Also, if the victim of flu is very young or quite old, this is a safe thing to do because due to their low immunities the flu can turn into pneumonia or bronchopneumonia which can then lead to a fatality.”
According to Dr Hemant Thakker, general physician at Jaslok hospital, the main risk of the influenza virus is pneumonia. “If pneumonia sets into the lungs, especially if the patient is an elderly person, then the chances of there being a secondary infection are very high. In certain cases, it can also lead to a kidney shutdown. So, it is imperative that if you get the flu, immediately consult a doctor to ensure that it is indeed the flu and then take the prescribed medication,” he said.
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