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Influenza
(FLU)
The arrival of winter brings with it the dangers
of influenza, commonly known as Flu. The disease
may be defined as a viral infection of the respiratory tract which
is gradually becoming a common phenomenon. It affects both sexes
and all age groups, kids are somewhat more prone to flu than adults.
Stats reveal that on an average 5% to 20% of the population gets
prone to this disorder.
Flu is often termed as a seasonal
problem; it is very common during winters. Most people think that
Flu is the same as common cold but that's not the case. The symptoms
of flu develop very fast and are comparatively more severe.
Sometimes the disorder can lead to deadly consequences.
Flu generally occurs in small outbreaks but sometimes
they can turn out to be a human pandemic infecting a lot of people
at a time. The flu virus is easily transmittable
through cough or sneeze through the air.
Flu outbreaks usually begin suddenly and occur
mainly in the late fall and winter. The disease spreads through
communities creating an epidemic. During the epidemic, the number
of cases peaks in about 3 weeks and subsides after another 3 or
4 weeks. Half of the population of a community may be affected.
The worst part of the disorder is its contagiousness.
The disorder is highly transmittable, even a slight contact with
droplets from the nose and throat of an infected person during coughing
and sneezing is enough to get prone to the disorder. Even a simple
touch to a surface like a telephone or door knob that has been contaminated
by a touch from someone who has the flu is enough to get the Flu
infection. The viruses can pass through the air and enter
your body through your nose or mouth. If you've touched a contaminated
surface, they can pass from your hand to your nose or mouth.
The symptoms of Flu start very quickly and may
include body aches, chills, dry cough, fever, headache, sore throat
and stuffy nose. If you get infected by the flu virus, you will
usually feel symptoms 1 to 4 days later. You can spread the flu
to others before your symptoms start and for another 3 to 4 days
after your symptoms appear.
To keep yourself away from this deadly disorder,
take the yearly flu vaccine. Antivirals like Tamiflu, Relanza, Rimantadine
and Amantadine are also very effective in the treatment
of Flu. These drugs work by paralyzing the action of viruses
in your body. It is used for the treatment of unfussy acute infirmity
due to influenza contagion.
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