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General health information

Flu

Flu is a contagious respiratory infection caused by an influenza virus. It often starts suddenly with fever or chills, muscle pain, headache, tiredness and a dry cough. Most healthy people recover at home, but flu can be severe in young children, older people, pregnant people and those with chronic conditions. In Curaçao, dengue and COVID-19 can cause similar symptoms; warning signs and people at higher risk need timely assessment.

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  • Influenza is a viral respiratory infection. Symptoms often develop over a short time, with fever or chills, muscle pain, headache, a dry cough and exhaustion.
  • Most people improve within a few days to about two weeks. Cough and tiredness may last longer. Deterioration after an initial improvement may indicate a complication.
  • Flu is not the same as every cold or 'stomach flu'. COVID-19, dengue and other infections can circulate at the same time in Curaçao and be difficult to distinguish from symptoms alone.
  • Antibiotics kill bacteria and do not help against influenza. A doctor prescribes them only when there are signs of an additional bacterial infection.
  • Vulnerable people and those with warning signs should make contact early. A doctor considers antivirals, which generally work best when started early.

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C
COVID-19 (coronavirus)Coronavirus illness, officially COVID-19, is an infection caused by SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms range from none or mild cold symptoms to serious lung and other organ problems. Most people recover at home, but prompt assessment matters for breathlessness, deterioration or increased risk of severe illness.
C
ChikungunyaChikungunya is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquitoes. Sudden fever and often severe pain in several joints are characteristic. Most people recover, but joint symptoms may last months or longer.
P
PneumoniaPneumonia is an infection of lung tissue. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria or sometimes material going down the wrong way into the airways, known as aspiration. Common symptoms include coughing, fever, shortness of breath, pain on breathing, tiring easily and feeling unwell. Older people, young children and those with chronic illness can become seriously unwell more quickly. Pneumonia does not always need the same treatment. Appropriate antibiotic use therefore matters: use them only when suited to the likely cause and severity.