True influenza (flu) is more than a bad cold: it typically begins very suddenly with high fever, pronounced muscle aches, headaches, and severe fatigue. Unlike a cold, people affected often feel really ill from one moment to the next. In otherwise healthy individuals, it usually resolves within one to two weeks, but can significantly disrupt daily life. Rest and careful monitoring of how it progresses are particularly important.
Possible causes
Influenza viruses
Influenza is caused by influenza viruses that circulate in waves, especially during the winter months. Because the viruses constantly change, you can become ill multiple times in your life.
Transmission via droplets
Infection occurs through droplets when coughing and sneezing, as well as via hands. During flu season, the virus therefore spreads quickly in families, workplaces, and crowded settings.
Increased risk in certain groups
Elderly people, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions can become more severely ill. For them, careful monitoring of the course and medical supervision if necessary are particularly important.
Prevention through Vaccination
The annual flu vaccination in autumn is recommended for people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, chronically ill people and those around them. It significantly reduces the risk of severe courses; the basic insurance covers it for risk groups.
Typical steps at the doctor's office
- 1Your doctor will assess your symptoms based on the typical sudden onset and clinical presentation, and will listen to your lungs if needed to detect complications such as lung involvement early.
- 2Usually, evaluating symptoms and general condition is sufficient; targeted testing or further investigations are only added if they would make a difference in your care.
- 3Treatment is usually supportive and focused on rest, fluids, and relief of symptoms. In risk groups, the doctor may consider an antiviral medication within the first 48 hours. Since this is a viral infection, antibiotics do not help; they are only used in the case of an additional bacterial complication.
What you can do yourself
- Stay in bed or at least at home and rest — with the flu, your body needs significantly more rest than with a cold.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially when you have a fever, to compensate for increased fluid loss.
- Warmth, a quiet, well-ventilated room, and light foods can make the feeling of illness more bearable.
- Avoid close contact with others during the contagious phase, especially with elderly or weakened individuals.
Seek medical advice if your fever persists for several days or rises again after initial improvement, if you feel increasingly weak, or if you belong to a risk group. Medical evaluation is also indicated if you experience difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, or severe feelings of illness.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between flu and a cold?
- A cold develops slowly and usually remains mild. True influenza, on the other hand, begins suddenly with high fever, severe muscle aches, and pronounced exhaustion that significantly disrupts daily life much more severely.
- Are antibiotics helpful for the flu?
- No. The flu is caused by viruses, against which antibiotics have no effect. Only if an additional bacterial complication occurs will your doctor decide on their use.
- How long am I contagious?
- You are usually contagious from shortly before symptoms begin until several days afterward, as long as fever and symptoms persist. During this time it makes sense to stay home and avoid contact with others.
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