If you are recovering from the flu and your fever is breaking, the chills are subsiding. But you may suddenly feel that your cough is worsening, breathing feels harder, and fatigue lingers. It could mean pneumonia! The flu and pneumonia share a complex relationship, where one can set the stage for the other. While influenza weakens the immune system, pneumonia takes advantage, causing a more severe respiratory infection. Understanding how the flu transitions into pneumonia is essential for prevention, especially for those at risk. So, how can you keep yourself safe? Let's find out the risks, warning signs, and ways to prevent and stay protected.

How Flu Can Turn into Pneumonia?

The flu, or influenza, is one of the common viral infections most people experience sometime in their lifetime. While most patients recover within a week or two, others develop serious complications such as pneumonia. The interplay between flu and pneumonia is quite concerning to those vulnerable groups of people such as children, elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immunity. It's essential to know how flu leads to pneumonia, recognize early signs, and take preventive measures in order to keep the respiratory health safe.

Influenza mainly infects the respiratory system, leading to an inflammatory reaction in the throat, nasal passages, and lungs. The body, in its course of operation, will most of the time end by killing the virus, hence recovering fully. However, in some cases, the flu can lead to pneumonia in two major ways:

Viral Pneumonia: The influenza virus itself can directly infect the lungs, causing pneumonia. This is known as viral pneumonia and is more common in individuals with weaker immune systems.

Secondary Bacterial Pneumonia: The flu can weaken the immune system, making it easier for bacteria to invade the lungs. This secondary bacterial pneumonia often leads to more severe symptoms and requires antibiotic treatment.

Recognising Symptoms of Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, filling them with fluid or pus. This makes it hard to breathe, accompanied by chest pain, fever, and a cough that may not go away. Common symptoms of pneumonia include the following:

• Dry or productive cough
• Fever and chills
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain when breathing or coughing
• Fatigue and muscle aches
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in some cases
• Confusion, especially among older adults

Severe cases of pneumonia can be life-threatening, particularly for individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

Key Differences Between Flu And Pneumonia

Can You Have the Flu and Pneumonia at the Same Time?

Yes, it is possible to get both the flu and pneumonia at the same time. This is when a person gets the influenza virus and later develops bacterial or viral pneumonia. Having multiple infections at the same time can greatly increase the severity of symptoms and the risk of complications. Seek prompt medical care if flu symptoms worsen or last longer than expected.

Who Is at Higher Risk of Developing Pneumonia After the Flu?

While most flu cases do not result in pneumonia, some risk factors increase the likelihood of complications:

Age: Young children and adults over 65 are more vulnerable.

Chronic Conditions: People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and heart disease are at increased risk.

Weakened Immune System: People on chemotherapy, those with HIV/AIDS, or on immunosuppressive drugs are at a higher risk.

Smoking: Smoking causes damage to the lungs, making them more prone to infections.

Hospitalization or Nursing Home Residency: The proximity of people to other sick people increases the chances of getting infections.

How to Prevent Flu from Turning into Pneumonia?

The best way to prevent flu-related pneumonia is to take proactive measures, including:

• Annual flu shots protect against severe forms of influenza infection. In addition, pneumococcal vaccination protects against pneumococcal bacterial pneumonia.
• Wash with soap and water frequently.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers in the absence of soap
• Do not get near a sick person.
• Take on a well-balanced diet high in vitamins and minerals.
• Be physically active; this will make the lungs better and also helps the body with immunity.
• Rest well to have the body gain back strength over diseases.
• Smoking damages the lungs and makes people more susceptible to respiratory infections.

If flu symptoms worsen or do not improve within 7-10 days, seek medical attention to rule out pneumonia. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent severe complications.

How to Know When Flu Is Turning Into Pneumonia?

If flu symptoms persist or worsen after a week, it may be a sign of pneumonia. Warning signs include:

• Increasing difficulty in breathing
• Persistent chest pain
• Temperature does not reduce
• Worsening cough with thick expectoration
• Extreme weakness and asthenia

Infertility impacts millions across the globe, touching both men and women alike. According to the World Health Organization, around 17.5% of the global population, roughly one in six people, experience fertility challenges. This condition can significantly reduce or even prevent natural conception.

Yet, despite its prevalence, infertility remains clouded by myths and misconceptions, many of which unfairly place the blame solely on women. Seeking to debunk these long-held beliefs, Dr. Holly Miller, an American Board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, took to Instagram to share three important truths every woman should know about fertility.

3 Truths About Fertility Women Should Know

With the help of modern medicine and medical interventions like IVF, fertility treatment can help people boost their chances of reproducing.

Infertility Isn't Just a Woman's Issue

It’s important to understand that infertility affects both partners — it’s not solely a woman’s issue. Blaming only the woman is both unfair and inaccurate. In fact, experts find that the causes of infertility are almost evenly split between men and women.

Roughly one-third of infertility cases are linked to the woman, another third to the man, and the remaining third result from issues affecting both partners — or from causes that doctors are unable to clearly identify.

To identify the cause of infertility, both partners should undergo testing simultaneously. For men, a semen analysis — a quick and straightforward test — is often the easiest and most informative first step.

The "Wait One Year" Rule Changes with Age

Most couples automatically try to conceive for a full 12 months before they think about seeing a fertility doctor. However, the doctor emphasizes that the woman's age is the single most important factor that affects the chances of successful treatment.

If you are under 35 years old: You can safely try for a full 12 months of regular, unprotected sex before seeking a specialist.

If you are 35 or older: You should contact a specialist after only 6 months of trying without success.

If you are 40 or older: You need to see a specialist right away—as quickly as you possibly can.

The doctor explains that after age 35, the woman's egg supply starts to decline more quickly. Time is essential, so couples should strongly ask their doctors for an early referral.

"Unexplained Infertility" Often Means "Undiagnosed Problem"

When a couple is diagnosed with "unexplained infertility," which happens in about 10% to 20% of cases, it means the basic first tests did not find a clear reason. This can be upsetting, but it does not mean you can never have children. In the doctor's experience, the term "unexplained" often means there are hidden problems, such as:

• Small issues with the male partner's sperm that were missed by the basic tests.
• A hidden condition called Endometriosis, which can only be confirmed by a surgical procedure.
• Not having sexual intercourse at the best time or not often enough.

In today's corporate world, desk jobs have become the order of the day and so are the health problems associated with them. Endless typing, long hours of sitting, and poor posture are silently taking their toll on young professionals who spend most of their day glued to screens. Many don't realize that their daily work habits could trigger unexpected medical conditions.

Such a growing concern was once highlighted by Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, who recently shared a case on X. He wrote about one such case of Riya (name changed), a 25-year-old software engineer who developed a sharp, burning pain in her elbow-a pain which began as a minor ache while typing and gradually became so severe that even lifting a teacup felt unbearable.

What was the cause of the sharp elbow pain that Riya experienced?

Riya tried everything she could think of: Rest, pain relief balms, painkillers, even switching hands while using her computer, but the pain refused to fade. When she finally decided to visit the doctor, her symptoms immediately pointed to something unexpected: Tennis elbow. The diagnosis came as a surprise, considering she had never even held a tennis racket. On examination, Dr Sudhir Kumar found the tell-tale signs of the condition, medically known as lateral epicondylitis — tenderness along the outer elbow and pain when she tried to extend her wrist. He explained that the culprit wasn’t a sport, but repetitive strain from long hours at the computer — a problem increasingly common among desk workers.

What is Tennis Elbow?

The Mayo Clinic describes tennis elbow, medically termed lateral epicondylitis, as a painful condition resulting from the overuse of muscles and tendons in the forearm. It develops where these tissues are repeatedly strained by similar wrist and arm movements, leading to tiny tears and inflammation near the elbow.

The name is misleading, and you don't have to be an athlete to get tennis elbow. As a matter of fact, most people who develop it never have used a racket. It's common for the condition to strike people in jobs that require repetitive motions: plumbers, carpenters, painters, butchers, and yes, office workers who spend hours typing or using a mouse.

The pain generally arises on the outside of the elbow, precisely at that bony prominence to which the muscles of the forearm attach. For some, the discomfort may extend into the forearm or even the wrist, making most activities quite arduous.

How Can Tennis Elbow Be Treated?

Once the diagnosis was confirmed, Dr Sudhir Kumar focused on addressing the underlying cause — repetitive stress and poor workstation ergonomics. The holistic treatment for Riya included the following:

• Avoided repetitive activities that triggered her pain.
• Adjusting the computer setup and improving posture.
• Establish a physiotherapy regimen to stretch, strengthen, and gradually build muscle endurance.
• A short course of anti-inflammatory medication

Employing a counterforce brace-a tennis elbow strap-to reduce strain in daily activities. By her six-week follow-up, Riya’s pain had completely resolved. Her grip strength was back, and she could type, lift, and exercise without discomfort. Three months later, she was symptom-free — and far more aware of how small ergonomic changes can make a big difference.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths, however, a recent survey showed that most people don’t know this vital fact about prostate cancer symptoms.

Prostate cancer is a serious illness in the US, affecting over 300,000 men each year and causing more than 35,000 deaths, according American Cancer Society. This makes it the second-most deadly cancer for men. If doctors detect the disease early, it is treatable. However, patients usually don't notice any signs of the disease in its beginning stages. Due to this lack of symptoms, checking for the disease is extremely important.

A recent survey of 1,004 U.S. adults, commissioned by the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, aimed to gauge public knowledge of the disease. The findings highlight a critical need for better education.

What Do Americans Know About Early-Stage Prostate Cancer?

The results showed that most people, 80% of those surveyed, are unaware that early prostate cancer usually has no physical symptoms. One health specialist noted that it's crucial for everyone to understand that this cancer causes no symptoms until it has become advanced. The survey also revealed other gaps in knowledge:

• More than half of the people surveyed (59%) did not know that changes in sexual function could be a sign of prostate cancer.
• The survey noticed some differences across groups. For example, one minority group was better at identifying less common signs like tiredness and weight loss.
• However, that same minority group was less likely than others to correctly identify that the cancer usually has no symptoms in its early stage.

What Is The Best Way To Diagnose Prostate Cancer?

The fact that prostate cancer often begins without symptoms is the main reason doctors worry.

Lack of Symptoms

In its early phase, the cancer is small and contained within the prostate gland. It doesn't push on or block any other body parts, so it doesn't cause pain or discomfort. Because the cancer is deep inside the body, it's hard to tell if someone has it without special tests.

Provider Worry

Because men feel fine, they may wrongly believe they aren't at risk. This feeling of being safe often makes men hesitant to get screened. Since there are no symptoms to look for, screening tests, usually a simple blood test or a physical exam, are the best way to find the cancer early.

What Are Some Signs of Prostate Cancer?

Even though most men with early prostate cancer feel completely normal, there are certain signs that might appear if the disease is more advanced. These symptoms include:

• Having trouble starting to urinate.
• Having a urine flow that is weak or stops and starts.
• Needing to urinate often, especially during the night.
• Difficulty completely emptying the bladder.
• Feeling pain or a burning sensation while urinating.
• Noticing blood in the urine or semen.
• Feeling pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn't go away.
• Experiencing pain during ejaculation.

When Should You Get Screened For Prostate Cancer?

According to American Cancer Society, health organizations advise men to talk with their doctors about getting checked for prostate cancer starting at certain ages, depending on their personal risk.

Average Risk: Age 50

Men who have no special risk factors.

High Risk: Age 45

Men who are African American or who have a father or brother who was diagnosed before age 65.

Highest Risk: Age 40

Men who have more than one close relative (father or brother) diagnosed at an early age. There is no one-size-fits-all advice for screening. Men should always speak to their doctor about their own risk and discuss the pros and cons of testing. Since there are no early warning signs, talking to a doctor about screening is described as "critical" and a simple process that could potentially save a man's life.