This is a timely subject, as not only the H1N1 virus (swine flu) is wreaking havoc on people, but don’t forget that other influenza viruses are still very much alive and well. Although they aren’t as famous as H1N1 right now, they can be just as ravaging to one’s physical well-being.
Common symptoms which accompany the flu virus are: fever, headache, extreme fatigue, chills, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in some cases, vertigo (dizziness).
I know I’ve mentioned this before but due to the overwhelming number of people who associate vertigo with the Alfred Hitchcock movie bearing the same name, I want to reiterate that vertigo is NOT fear of heights. Vertigo is, put simply, dizziness. Those with a fear of heights may experience dizziness as a symptom but this does not cause their fear.
Vertigo as a symptom of flu (and sometimes even the common cold) is known as vestibular neuritis (also known as labyrinthitis or viral labyrinthitis). This is a viral infection of the inner ear. It is thought to affect the nerve cells in the inner ear.
Symptoms of vestibular neuritis, whose onset generally begins within a few days or weeks of contracting the flu virus include the aforementioned vertigo as well as nausea and a “spinning” sensation.
While the inner ear is affected, there is no evidence that hearing is affected by this condition.
For most people, symptoms dissipate within a few days but can, in some cases, last for a few weeks. Bed rest is generally prescribed until inner ear balance is restored. Vertigo treatment drugs are sometimes prescribed but one should be aware that their side effects can often times be worse than the condition they are meant to treat.
Treatment for flu viruses can include anti-viral medications, antihistamines and decongestants, depending on your symptoms. Keep in mind though, that even over the counter drugs can have very serious side effects, especially if you have a pre-existing condition such as heart disease.
If you are taking heart medications, they generally don’t interact well with flu treatment drugs and can cause symptoms of both conditions to get worse.
The key is avoiding the virus altogether. This can be tricky since we can’t control hygiene habits for anyone but ourselves. Wash your hands often, for at least thirty seconds.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes as much as possible. If you have to cough or sneeze, you should do it into the sleeve of your arm, not your hands.
Flu shots may also be recommended by your doctor but keep in mind that they take two weeks to protect and even then it’s not a guarantee that you won’t catch the flu virus. Because the virus that is injected is dead, there is no chance for catching the flu but there are side effects including chills, slight fever, rash and while rare, Guillain-Barr Syndrome if one is allergic to egg products.
If you have persistent vertigo, I highly recommend my Vertigo & Dizziness program. It’s an all natural program and the results are amazing!
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