How Long Does The Flu Last
There are many variables to the question how long does the flu last, and most of them depend on both the strain of the virus and the age or strength of the victim exposed with the virus. There are a great many symptoms associated with the common influenza virus, and none of them are less desirable than the former. You will most likely feel like you have been hit by a truck, or so the most popular description of the illness goes. The head begins to throb, the body begins to ache, and shortly thereafter you will notice that your temperature has spiked and your face feels like a swollen balloon. I wish that I could be more encouraging, but the fact is that these horrible symptoms are only the very beginning of an extended and awful illness.
Children and the elderly are likely to be rendered completely helpless with the flu, as it is a powerful virus and can easily overtake the weakest of humans. Though children are quite resistant, they tend to suffer additional symptoms when throttled by influenza. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are of the utmost concern when considering flu treatment for children, as 48 hours of extreme dehydration could cause near fatal consequences for the little babes. How long does the flu last in children? Well, it depends strongly on the severity of their symptoms, but where the stomach issues are present, the longer they are sick the more dangerous the illness becomes. If your child is suffering such throws, you may want to consult your physician about intravenous fluids.
How long does the flu last in healthy adults? This depends, again, on the strain of the influenza. Type A is the most dreaded and severe, and was responsible for some 40 million deaths worldwide during the influenza pandemic of 1919. It has many faces these days, even in birds which pass it to humans, and this type of flu will incubate for up to 4 days, wreak havoc on your body for 2 to 10 days, and remain passable through your saliva and breath for up to one week after the halt of your symptoms. Keep in mind that though your congestion, fever and other such ailments may subside sooner, it is not uncommon to feel physically drained and exhausted for a week afterward. Obey your body and rest!
How long does the flu last if it is a lesser strain? Well, type B is almost identical to the nasty type A, but doesn’t seem to cause the added stomach problems as often as type A does. Type C can lay dormant in the bodies of mammals and birds for years without causing illness or any side effects.