If influenza is not treated properly, a number of complications may develop, leading to serious health problems. Claire Caruana highlights the most common ones – asthma flare-ups, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis and ear infections.

Even a mild cold can lead to wheezing and tightness of chest among asthma sufferers.

Asthma flare-ups

People who suffer from asthma need to properly tackle influenza symptoms as even a mild cold can lead to wheezing and tightness of chest.

As both asthma and the flu affect respiration, asthma sufferers may have more severe flu symptoms and are in a greater risk of developing more serious illnesses, such as pneumonia.

Regular asthma medication may not be enough to relieve asthma symptoms associated with the flu.

While symptoms vary from one person to another, the most common are wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness of chest and coughing.

Asthma sufferers should take basic precautions to avoid contracting the flu, which includes washing hands frequently and keeping them away from the face.

If an asthma sufferer gets the flu, it is important to seek medical advice. The doctor should also be informed that one suffers from asthma so that the required medication can be prescribed.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an infection that causes inflammation and irritation to the lungs’ main airways. Symptoms include sore throat, coughing up yellow-grey mucus, wheezing and a blocked nose.

As the flu may cause inflammation and swelling of the sinus, there is a greater risk of developing a sinus infection

The infection is mostly viral in origin, yet it can also be caused by bacteria.

Hacking cough and phlegm production, both common flu symptoms, can be caused by acute bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis can be cured quite easily, yet if symptoms persist after flu passes, one should seek medical assistance.

Smokers with acute bronchitis may find it harder to recover as cigarettes damage the cilia − tiny hair-like structures that brush out excess mucus. This may also lead to the development of chronic bronchitis which requires regular medical treatment. Frequent bouts of acute bronchitis may lead to chronic bronchitis.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of the lungs. Its main cause is influenza but germs, such as bacteria, virus or even fungi, also cause this infection. The lungs get infected if one’s immune system is weak, a germ is very strong or present in large quantities, or the body fails to filter air.

Pneumonia caused by influenza is called viral pneumonia, and can be quite severe in some cases.

When one develops pneumonia, the lungs’ air sacs, the alveoli, become inflamed and fill up with fluid. This may lead to the development of various symptoms such as coughs, fever, chills, as well as trouble breathing. Oxygen reaching the blood stream could be limited when one has pneumonia. This prevents cells from working properly, which can lead to severe complications, including death.

Pneumonia may affect the lungs in two ways. If only one part of the lungs is affected, this is known as lobar pneumonia, while that which is more widespread is bronchial pneumonia.

Infants, older adults and those with chronic illnesses or weak immune systems are most susceptible to the infection. For most, the condition improves within two weeks. Drinking plenty of fluids is encouraged so as to loosen secretions and bring up phlegm.

Ear infections

Influenza can also cause the tubes connecting the middle ear to the throat, called the Eustachian tubes, to become blocked, trapping fluid that would normally drain from the middle ear. This fluid can cause a dull or burning ache which ranges from mild to very painful.

The trapped fluid in the ear may not necessarily be infected but it puts pressure on the drum, causing pain. The trapped fluid does, however, make the middle ear a favourable environment for bacteria or viruses to breed, which may lead to an infection.

Young children are mostly susceptible to such ear infections.

Symptoms of an ear infection include chills, fever, vertigo, hearing loss, ear drainage, vomiting, poor sleep and mood changes. Such infections tend to occur a few days after the flu and last about a week.

Sinus infection

As the flu may cause inflammation and swelling of the sinus, there is a greater risk of developing a sinus infection, or sinusitis, after coming down with the flu.

Sinuses are normally filled with air yet these may become blocked and filled with fluid, causing bacteria to grow. This is when infection usually develops and the chances of this happening are increased when one has influenza.

Symptoms of a sinus infection often include thick, yellow, nasal discharge, pressure or pain around the eyes, headache, congestion, post-nasal drip, fever or cough.

Decongestants are often prescribed as these reduce swelling of sinuses and nasal passages. Hot showers are also recommended as the steam loosens mucus, helping with decongestion.

There are four different types of sinusitis: acute sinusitis, involving sudden onset of cold-like symptoms such as runny, stuffy nose and facial pain that does not go away after 10 to 14 days but lasts around four weeks; subacute sinusitis, which lasts four to eight weeks; chronic sinusitis, characterised by sinus inflammation symptoms lasting eight weeks or longer; and recurrent sinusitis which causes several attacks within a year.