The infectious disease specialist warned about dangerous complications of the flu

The flu is not just a seasonal infection with fever and body aches, but a serious illness that can lead to dangerous complications. Vera Serezhina, an infectious disease specialist at the LabQuest medical company, told Izvestia on March 15 what complications patients face and why it is important to seek medical help on time.

The expert explained that the flu affects the upper respiratory tract, spreading to the trachea, bronchi and lungs. It is accompanied by high fever — up to 39-40 degrees, severe intoxication, headache and muscle pain, tachycardia.

"The body is under tremendous stress, which can lead to the development of shortness of breath, cyanosis and lung damage. Influenza pneumonia is the most common complication, accounting for 90% of severe cases. This is a viral inflammation of the lungs and pleura, in which gas exchange is disrupted and the patient quickly loses the ability to breathe independently. Viral pneumonia develops rapidly — within 24 hours, many patients experience respiratory failure, requiring immediate ventilation," Serezhina said.

In addition to severe intoxication, patients may experience mental retardation, confusion, agitation, and hallucinations.

According to the doctor, one of the most dangerous complications is infectious and toxic shock. It develops in severe forms of influenza and is accompanied by a sharp decrease in blood pressure, severe tachycardia, a critical drop in body temperature and loss of consciousness. In such cases, there is a high risk of death due to multiple organ failure and cerebral edema. It is also possible to develop respiratory distress syndrome, which requires immediate transfer of the patient to artificial ventilation.

The common cold: how acute respiratory infections differ from acute respiratory infections (ARI)

Doctors told why sore throat and flu should not be treated the same way

"It is important to remember that complications can occur not only in the acute phase of the disease, but also some time after recovery. In addition to pneumonia, there may be inflammation of the bronchi and trachea, diseases of the ENT organs - sinusitis, sinusitis, otitis media, pharyngitis. The flu can also provoke disorders in the cardiovascular system, leading to the development of myocarditis and pericarditis. In some cases, the infection affects the kidneys, provoking glomerulonephritis, an inflammatory lesion of the renal glomeruli," the infectious disease specialist added.

In addition, rare but dangerous complications include lesions of the nervous system, which can manifest as encephalitis, meningitis, or Guillain—Barre syndrome.

The doctor clarified that people with chronic diseases are in a special risk group. Those with diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, heart, kidney and liver failure, immunodeficiency disorders, including HIV and AIDS, as well as obese patients are most susceptible to severe flu and its complications. However, even in healthy people, the flu can lead to serious consequences. If the temperature persists for more than five days, shortness of breath, confusion, pronounced weakness, a drop in blood pressure or chest pain appear, then an immediate ambulance call and hospitalization is required, the expert emphasized.

"An additional danger is a mixed infection - combined infection with several viruses at the same time, for example, influenza A and SARS—CoV-2 or influenza and metapneumovirus. In such cases, the course of the disease becomes more complicated, and the risk of severe consequences increases. The flu cannot be perceived as a common seasonal illness that will pass by itself. Timely diagnosis, bed rest and seeking medical help in case of deterioration help to avoid complications and maintain health," Serezhina said.

Earlier, on February 1, Tatyana Simonova, a general practitioner at the Sberbank Health medical company, told Izvestia that the prevention of viral and infectious diseases consists in following a number of measures, including organizing an optimal microclimate in an apartment and engaging in physical activity. She added that it is important to avoid large crowds, wash your hands regularly, especially after returning from public places and before eating, do not rub your eyes, do not touch the mucous membranes.