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Influenza Virus
The flu is a contagious respiratory
illness caused by the influenza virus. It can cause mild to
severe illness, and at times can lead to death...
Date : January 07, 2006
The flu is a contagious respiratory
illness caused by the influenza virus. It
can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to
death. The best way to prevent this illness is by getting
a flu vaccination each fall.
The flu
differs in several ways from the common cold, a respiratory
infection also caused by viruses. For example, people with
cold rarely get fevers or headaches or suffer from the extreme
exhaustion that flu viruses can cause. You can get the flu
if someone around you who have flu. You can even get the flu
simply by touching a surface like a telephone or doorknob
that has been contaminated by a touch from someone who has
the flu. The viruses can pass through the air and can enter
your body through your nose or mouth. Flu virus typically
strikes during the winter months.
Typically, the fever begins
to decline on the second or third day of the illness. The
flu almost never causes symptoms in the stomach and intestines.
The illness that some people often call "stomach flu"
is not influenza.
Types of Flu
There are two types of vaccines
mainly the "flu shot" which is an inactivated vaccine
(containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The
flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months,
including healthy peoples and people with chronic medical
conditions. The nasal-spray flu vaccine made with live, weakened
flu viruses (sometimes called LAIV for "Live Attenuated
Influenza Vaccine").
About two weeks after vaccination,
antibodies develop which protect against the influenza virus.
Therefore, you should get vaccinated six to eight weeks before
flu season begins in order to prevent getting infected or
reduce the severity of flu if you do get it.
Symptoms of Flu
- Fever (usually high)
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
- Dry cough
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Complications of Flu
Some of the complications caused
by flu include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening
of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure,
asthma, or diabetes. Children
may get sinus problems and ear infections as complications
from the flu.
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