If you have influenza fever, you should rest for about 7 to 10 days. This is to prevent transmission of the influenza virus to other people during the incubation period.
Influenza and colds are viral infections that attack the respiratory system, namely the nose, throat and lungs. In most people, the flu goes away on its own in 5-7 days. However, sometimes the complications that occur can make the flu last longer.
When the body has a cold, complete rest is needed so that the recovery process runs faster.
Do you need complete rest for the influenza?
Flu can make a person unfocused at work or doing daily activities. Some people can even experience more severe flu symptoms and require medical treatment in a hospital.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) itself recommends staying at home and resting for at least 24 hours when you have the flu. It’s best not to see other people until the fever has subsided, unless it’s urgent or requires medical attention.
Complete rest is also highly recommended when you have a cold with severe symptoms. Call it a mucus cough, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or fatigue.
For patients with severe flu complications, symptoms usually last for 3-7 days. Symptoms may gradually improve on their own. However, you still have to maintain your body’s immunity because symptoms can get worse at certain times, such as in the morning or at night.
How long do you need to rest when you have a influenza and cold?
Patients with mild symptoms will usually recover from the flu in 7 to 10 days. Flu symptoms such as fever will disappear in 5 days. However, the cough and fatigue will persist for several days afterward.
Flu fever accompanied by severe symptoms usually resolves within a week. Some people with low immune systems can experience fever and other flu symptoms for up to 2 weeks and cough for up to 8 weeks.
When you return to work or school, make sure to wear a mask and cover your mouth when coughing. Try to always wash your hands so you don’t infect other people.
The flu virus can develop into serious illnesses such as pneumonia in people with weak immunity, people with asthma, or other breathing problems. If you have a history of chronic illness, the recovery time from the flu may also be different.
What are the flu symptoms like?
The initial symptoms that can be felt by flu sufferers are sore throat, sneezing, and runny nose. High fever is also more common in flu sufferers than colds. In addition, other flu symptoms include:
- Chills
- Muscle ache
- Headache
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
- Dry cough
- Nasal congestion
- Vomit
Flu symptoms tend to increase between the 2nd and 4th day. Furthermore, on day 5, usually the symptoms will improve.
However, patients are advised to stay at home for 24 hours after the fever is gone. Especially if the fever only goes away with fever-reducing drugs because it has the potential to spread the flu to other people.
Time to go to the doctor
Patients with severe flu complications can trigger several serious illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and ear infections. See a doctor immediately if symptoms do not improve after 7 days or symptoms of flu complications appear. In adults, signs of severe flu symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain in the chest
- Continuous dizziness
- Seizures
- Severe muscle pain or weakness
Some of the signs of severe flu symptoms above can also be experienced by children. In addition, children may also experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, seizures, and muscle aches. However, in some children the signs of serious flu symptoms can be accompanied by blue lips and dehydration.
Muhammad Aqib