Influenza (Flu) is a contagious disease. RNA viruses and their family cause the flu. The symptoms of the disease are chills, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, severe headache, cough, weakness/fatigue, and general malaise. The flu can sometimes directly cause pneumonia and secondary bacterial pneumonia.
The flu is transmitted through the air. Aerosolized viruses are transmitted via the airway through coughing and sneezing. While flu viruses are inactivated by sunlight, disinfectants, and detergents, the risk of infection is reduced by frequently washing hands with soap. [Anchor: more]
Symptoms
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Fever and extreme cold (chills/shivering)
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Cough
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Nasal congestion
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Body aches (especially in joints and throat)
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Fatigue
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Headache
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Irritation, watery eyes
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Redness in the eyes, redness of the skin (especially the face), mouth, throat, and nose
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Petechial rashes
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Diarrhea, abdominal pain in children
Diarrhea is generally not a symptom of the flu in adults.
Virus Definitions
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Influenzavirus A
Wild aquatic birds contain a great diversity of Influenza A. They can also transmit it to other species. It is the most lethal of the three types of flu in humans.
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Spanish flu in 1918 due to H1N1, and Swine flu in 2009
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Asian flu in 1957 due to H2N2
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Hong Kong flu in 1968 due to H3N2
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Avian flu (Bird Flu) in 2004 due to H5N1
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Influenzavirus B
It is a type that only causes infection in humans.
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Influenzavirus C
It is seen in humans, dogs, and pigs. It sometimes causes serious illnesses. It is transmitted through local epidemics. It is less common than other types. It usually causes mild illnesses in children.
Treatment
People who have the flu are advised to rest and consume plenty of fluids. Taking alcohol, tobacco, and paracetamol to relieve muscle aches is ill-advised. Antibiotics have no effect on treatment. Antiviral drugs should be used against the flu. Foremost among these antiviral drugs are neuraminidase inhibitors, such as the drug known by the commercial name Relenza, which are designed to stop the spread of the virus.
Seasonal Changes
The flu reaches its peak in the winter months. Because the seasons are different in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, the World Health Organization prepares different vaccine formulations every year. Although there is no complete consensus on why the flu is seen more frequently in winter months, one likely explanation is the view that people are more often indoors during winter months, leading to more contact, and supporting person-to-person transmission. Another view is that winter is the holiday season in the Northern Hemisphere, and people travel more to these regions.
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