A quirky flu: did you know these six influenza-related mysteries?
The seasonal flu knocking at the door is an annual scourge for Finns. But there are still unanswered medical questions and mysteries surrounding the familiar disease, says Emil Heinäaho, a general practitioner at Terveystalo.

1. Influenza infects one in two people, of whom one in two develops symptoms
Influenza can spread when people are in close contact with each other. However, only one in two people who catch it will show symptoms.
– The amazing thing is that we still don't know why one person gets sick and another doesn't. Or why one person gets symptoms and another doesn't. For example, there is some evidence that having had influenza as a child can affect how the body reacts to the disease as an adult. We also know that people at risk have more severe flu symptoms and more severe after-effects, says Emil Heinäaho, a specialist in general medicine.
– The coronavirus also works in a similar way: about a third of people get coronavirus without symptoms. And now we are trying to study what happens in the bodies of these asymptomatic people when the coronavirus strikes, Heinäaho continues.
2. Seasonal flu is different every year
– We cannot know in advance how severe or mild an epidemic will be, says Heinäaho.
The influenza virus changes rapidly to evade our body's defence mechanisms.
– That is why the flu vaccine is made with the virus strains of the virus that are expected to cause the next season's epidemic. So a vaccine given last year will not protect against the coming flu.
3. Asymptomatic people most likely to spread flu
– What makes influenza particularly tricky is that the people who spread it most are those who are infected but not yet symptomatic. This means 1-2 days before symptoms appear. We don't know exactly why this is. But this is why it is important for people in good health to be vaccinated against influenza, as this not only protects them, but also, for example, their close contacts who are at risk.
The next vulnerable period is the third day of symptoms: this is when the symptoms are usually at their worst.
4. It is difficult to develop a specific cure for influenza because the viruses mutate
– In general, you just have to live with the disease and get sick, as it remains difficult to develop an effective cure. The use of antiviral drugs is therefore very limited, for example if a person has a weakened immune system. But they are not very effective: at best they can reduce symptoms for a day or two if started early enough.
In fact, the vaccine is completely superior in the fight against influenza.
– Although the vaccine does not provide 100% protection against infection, it does reduce symptoms. The larger the proportion of the population that receives the flu vaccine, the more effective the protection will be, Heinäaho continues.
5. Influenza causes more pneumonia than the common cold
– Influenza causes more pneumonia than the common cold. We do not know exactly why. However, influenza is a real nuisance, and the worse your body is (e.g. because of smoking), the worse the consequences can be.
The most common consequences of influenza, apart from pneumonia, are sinusitis, myocarditis and meningitis. In children, ear infections.
6. Flu can be hard to tell apart from other illnesses, but muscle aches and pains can tell you a lot
Flu tests are carried out at the doctor's surgery between October and November to check the progress and prevalence of the seasonal illness. Once the disease is circulating, the virus is usually no longer tested.
– Treatment is always symptomatic and does not depend on the diagnosis. However, as a doctor, I pay particular attention to the patient's muscle symptoms. It is likely that influenza causes more muscle pain than other diseases because the severe symptoms of influenza activate the immune system so that the muscles become inflamed, Heinäaho concludes.
Read more articles

Occupational health psychologist's tips for a workplace wellbeing revolution
Fortunately, the stigma associated with mental health challenges is receding. In addition to the fact that employers are now more strongly directed to take care of the psychosocial stress, mental health challenges are dared to be talked about more openly and people know how to seek help for them. This is also clear from Terveystalo's statistics, where visits related to both anxiety disorders and depression have increased throughout the 2020s. Sari Nuikki, Terveystalo's leading occupational health psychologist, explains how mental well-being can be supported in the workplace with small everyday actions.

How should you deal with emotions? You don't always have to talk about your feelings, says psychotherapist
Emotions are important clues, but bad advice. During Mental Health Week, we talk to Matti Isosävi, psychologist and psychotherapist at Terveystalo, about feelings - even if you don't always need to talk about them.

AI in the future of working life
Generative AI, such as Chat GPT, has brought AI into a new light recently. In particular, its impact on working life has been a topic of discussion in Finland and around the world over the past year. Ilari Richardt, Director of Digital Services at Terveystalo, shared his views on the opportunities AI brings at Terveystalo's event "Tulevaisuuden työelämän tekijät".

In the future, technology is an enabler and team problem-solving skills a way to success
We live in an era of uncertainty and rapid technological development. Generative AI will be on everyone's radar in 2023, and organisations are wondering how AI will change the way they work and do things. The rapid evolution of technology poses challenges, but at the same time creates opportunities. At Terveystalo's Future Workplace Makers event, Maria Ritola, technology influencer and founder of Iris.ai, shared her insights on how to build a good working life and harness technology to help people do their jobs.

Without systematicity and systemicity, foresight lacks depth
Only by identifying alternative futures and the drivers of change that influence them can we make choices for the future we want. By being an active player, we become the architects of the future, rather than its victims. At Terveystalo's event "Tulevaisuuden Työelämän Tekijät", futurist Minna Koskelo highlighted the drivers of change that all organisations should be aware of.

Are you anxious? Here's how to ease the anxiety when it strikes
All of us experience normal anxiety from time to time. However, excessive anxiety can interfere with everyday life and can be directed at things that are not a threat. Anxiety disorder is the second most common mental health problem in the world after depression.