A high fever that climbs within a few hours, body aches, headaches, exhaustion: the flu is not a bad cold. Here is how to recognize it, how long it lasts, how to relieve the symptoms and when to see a doctor.
What is the flu?
Influenza is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza viruses, which circulate in Israel mainly from December to March. It spreads through the droplets released when coughing or talking, and through hands that touch the face.
In a healthy adult, the flu is a gruelling but harmless illness that clears up on its own. The risk of complications concerns mainly older people, pregnant women, infants and anyone with a chronic condition of the heart, lungs or kidneys, or with diabetes.
Flu or a cold: how do you tell the difference?
The difference lies above all in how suddenly it starts and how overwhelming the tiredness is:
- the flu comes on abruptly, within a few hours, with a fever often above 38.5°C, marked body aches and an exhaustion that keeps you in bed;
- a cold sets in gradually, with no fever or only a mild one, and is a nuisance without stopping your usual activities;
- a dry cough and headaches are common with the flu and much rarer with a cold;
- a runny nose and sneezing, on the other hand, dominate the picture of a cold.
This distinction is a clinical one: no test is needed in the vast majority of cases.
The symptoms of the flu
- a fever of sudden onset, often high, with chills;
- body aches and widespread muscle pain;
- headaches, sometimes severe;
- a deep tiredness, out of all proportion to the rest;
- a dry cough, a sore throat, a blocked nose;
- in children, stomach pain, vomiting or simply an isolated fever.
How long does the flu last?
The fever usually lasts three to five days, and the symptoms improve markedly within a week. The cough and above all the tiredness can linger for two to three weeks: this is normal and does not mean that the illness is getting worse.
A fever that comes down and then rises again after a few days, on the other hand, suggests a secondary infection, particularly in the lungs, and should prompt a medical opinion.
When should you see a doctor?
It is advisable to seek medical advice:
- if you have difficulty breathing, are short of breath at rest, or have chest pain;
- if the fever lasts more than five days, or comes back after an improvement;
- in case of unusual drowsiness, confusion or faintness;
- for an infant, an older person, a pregnant woman or anyone with a chronic illness, without waiting for warning signs;
- if you can no longer manage to drink enough.
An antiviral treatment does exist, but it is only worthwhile if it is started within the first two days, and it is reserved for people at risk: one more reason to seek advice early if you belong to one of these groups.
How to treat it
Treatment relieves the symptoms: rest, plenty of fluids, and an antipyretic such as paracetamol for the fever and the aches. Antibiotics are useless: they have no effect on viruses, and they are justified only in the case of a bacterial superinfection diagnosed by a doctor.
Anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, aspirin) are best avoided as self-medication during a feverish episode: they can encourage certain infectious complications. If in doubt, ask for advice.
The flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is updated every year and offered in Israel by the health funds (kupot holim) from the autumn onwards. It is particularly recommended for people over 65, pregnant women, children from six months of age, people with chronic illnesses and healthcare workers.
It does not protect against every winter virus, but it markedly reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
Consulting Dr Nathalie Gozlan
Dr Nathalie Gozlan, a general practitioner, can see you quickly for a flu-like illness, on a home visit in the Sharon region (Netanya, Kfar Saba, Raanana, Kadima-Tzoran and the moshavim and kibbutzim of the area), or by telemedicine anywhere in Israel, in French, Hebrew and English.
A consultation makes it possible to rule out a complication, adjust the treatment and, if necessary, issue a sick note and an Israeli prescription valid at the pharmacy.
Frequently asked questions
How long are you contagious?
You are contagious from about a day before the symptoms appear and for five to seven days afterwards, longer in children. Wearing a mask, washing your hands and airing the rooms markedly limit transmission within the household.
Do you need antibiotics for the flu?
No. The flu is viral: antibiotics have no effect on it. They are justified only in the case of a bacterial superinfection, pneumonia for instance, diagnosed by a doctor.
Can you still get vaccinated once the season has started?
Yes. It is better to be vaccinated in the autumn, but vaccination remains useful for as long as the virus is circulating, which means until the spring. Protection builds up over about ten days.
Can the flu be managed by telemedicine?
Yes, in most cases: a video consultation makes it possible to assess the symptoms, rule out warning signs, prescribe treatment and issue a sick note. If listening to the chest is necessary, in particular when pneumonia is suspected, a home visit is offered.
This article is for information only and does not replace a medical consultation. If in doubt or in an emergency, see a doctor.