Winter is coming, and with it the dreaded flu.

Seasonal flu is an acute viral infection caused by influenza viruses of type A, B and C, the latter being much less frequent.

Its incubation period, that is, the time that passes from when a person is infected until symptoms appear, is about two days. The most frequent signs and symptoms are high fever of sudden onset, normally dry cough, muscle, joint, throat and head pain, intense general malaise and abundant nasal secretion. All these symptoms, in most cases, usually disappear within a week, even without medical attention. The problem is in people at risk in whom the flu can become a serious illness that sometimes leads to death.

The most important risk groups are those under 2 years of age, those over 65 and people with chronic pathologies of the heart, liver, blood... and, of course, lungs (COPD, asthma...)

The spread of seasonal flu is very simple, especially it can spread very quickly in places where many people live (schools, offices...) The virus travels in the saliva and mucous membranes of infected people, when they sneeze or cough these microorganisms they go out to the outside being able to be inspired by another person. Likewise, they can travel through the air until they settle on objects. When a person touches a contaminated object, his hands will become infected, being a means of transporting this virus. If you touch your mouth, nose or eyes with contaminated hands, the virus can pass inside, in addition, all the objects you touch will be infected, being sources of spread and infection of the flu.

To reduce the spread, it is also important to avoid physical contact with infected people (kisses, hugs...)

To avoid transmission, it is necessary to wash hands and objects touched by an infected person frequently, in addition to covering the mouth and nose with a disposable handkerchief when coughing or sneezing, or, failing that, with the arm.

It annually affects 5-10% of adults and 20-30% of children in the world, being an important cause of hospitalization and death in high-risk groups, mainly.

Vaccination is being used to prevent the disease, and its use is very important in people at risk such as pregnant women, children between 6 months and 5 years, those over 65 years of age, the chronically ill and health personnel. With this measure many cases will be prevented and on other occasions the severity of the affectation will be reduced.