What you should know about the flu - How to transmit the flu?

What is the flu?

Every winter, millions of people suffering from the flu, a highly contagious infection. It can be easily from person to person, primarily when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs causes the flu, which is the short name for influenza. The disease is usually a mild disease in healthy children, adults, young and middle-aged people. However, it can be life threatening in the elderlyThey grew and people of all ages with chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart, lung or kidney disease.
Influenza is an infection of the airways by a variety of flu viruses cause. It differs in several respects from the common cold, respiratory infection caused by viruses. For example, people with colds rarely, fever, headache or suffer under the extreme exhaustion that flu viruses can cause.

What types of influence areright?

The virus was first identified in 1930. Since then, scientists have classified three types of influenza viruses on their protein composition. The types of influenza viruses type A, B and C are Type A viruses are found in many types of animals, including:

Ducks
Chickens
Pigs
Whales
Humans

Type B viruses circulate widely in humans. Type C in humans, pigs and dogs found. Type C causes mild respiratoryInfections, but does not spark epidemics.
Type A influenza is the most frightening of the three types of flu. It is believed that the responsibility for the outbreak of the Global 1918, 1957 and 1968.

What are the first signs of flu

Common flu symptoms begin quickly and can include:

Fever
Chills
Dry cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Headache
Muscle pain
Extreme Fatigue.

Usually, the fever will go down from the second or third day of illness.

The flu is contagious?

Outbreaks usually begin suddenly and occur mainly in late autumn and winter.'s Influence spreads through communities creating an epidemic. During the epidemic, the number of cases peaks in about 3 weeks and it sounds like another 3 or 4 weeks. Half the population of a municipality may be affected. The school is an excellent place to> Flu viruses to attack and spread. They were then infected families with school-age children more infections than other families, with an average of one third of family members each year.

When is flu season?

About 10 percent to 20 percent of Americans fall with the flu from November to March (the season for this disease).

Complications

Besides the rapid start of the outbreaks and the large number ofPeople are affected, the flu is an important disease because it can cause serious complications. Most people get better within a week, even if you have a persistent cough and tire easily can have for a while '. But for the elderly, infants and people with certain chronic diseases, influenza and its complications can be dangerous.

How can the spread of influenza?

Can the flu if someone around you who has a cough or sneezes. Or you can simply get by using a surface like a telephone or a handle that the influence of those who have been contaminated. The virus can pass through the air and enter your body through the nose or mouth, or if you touch a contaminated surface, they can out of your hand to the nose or mouth. I am the greatest risk getting infected in highly populated areas such as crowded living conditions and in schools.

Why do I getInfluence>?

It is estimated that 10 percent to 20 percent of Americans with the flu during each flu season, which usually lasts from November to March to come. The children are 2 to 3 times more likely than adults to get sick with the flu, and children often spread the virus to others. Although most people recover from the disease, estimated to be accepted in the United States more than 100,000 people hospitalized and about 36,000 people die from thisDisease and its complications every year.

Drugs for influenza

Although the flu vaccine is the best method of prevention, antiviral flu influenza is also available on prescription flu medicines contain.:

Tamiflu ® (oseltamivir)
Flumadine ® (rimantadine)
Symmetrel ® (amantadine)
Relenza ® (zanamivir).

Tamiflu, Flumadine and Symmetrel possible adults and children 1 year and use elderly. Medications can be used both for prevention and to reduce the duration of fever and other flu-like symptoms.

Tips on preventing the flu

A flu shot can greatly reduce the likelihood of influence. In fact, the majority of cases and deaths caused by influenza A vaccine can be prevented by annual influenza. Medicare covers the cost, and many private insurance companies also pay for the flu vaccine. You can> Influenza Vaccination in:

The doctor's office
Your local health department
Other health professionals.

It 'important to note that there are no vaccines, which provides complete protection against influenza and the vaccine is no exception. In the elderly and people with certain chronic diseases, vaccination against influenza is often less effective in preventing influenza. However, the flu vaccine will help reduce the symptoms and the associated risk of serious illness andDeath.

Summary

Important information about the flu are:
Influenza can be very dangerous for people aged 65 years,
It can be prevented
Need a flu shot every fall for people in high-risk groups
The shot is covered by Medicare
The shot is safe and can not cause flu
The influenza vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccination can be administered simultaneously.

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