Flu (INFLUENZA)

What is flu and how is it acquired/transmitted?
Influenza is an easily transmitted and very infectious illness among mammals and birds. Commonly referred to as “flu,” the cause of this disease is primarily influenza viruses, which can easily be transferred through air, blood, feces, saliva and nasal secretions.  It can be directly acquired through exposure to the respiratory droplets of people infected when they sneeze or cough.  It can also be acquired indirectly by touching an object previously exposed to the virus, and then using the same hand to touch one's nose, eyes or mouth.

There are said to be three types of flu viruses: the influenza A, the influenza B, and the influenza C.  Influenza A and B viruses are deemed to be the cause of diseases every winter--- bringing illness to about 20 percent of the United States' population. Unlike these two classifications of influenza viruses, the influenza virus type C simply causes mild respiratory illnesses.

The risk and factors
While anyone can acquire flu, certain factors make some people more at risk for getting this disease. For one, people who are over 50 years old are more prone to acquiring flu. Children and adults who suffer from long-term lung and heart problems are also easily infected with the influenza virus, as well as those who have diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, kidney disease, HIV infection, and cancer. Other people who are at an increased risk for flu include those who work in medical facilities and pregnant women.

What are the symptoms of flu?
As said earlier, the flu and the common cold have a lot of similarities in terms of symptoms. However, between the two, the flu happens to be more complicated.  Some of the common symptoms of flu are dry cough, extreme tiredness, headache, high fever, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms may be mistaken for that of the common cold, so to be sure, it is recommended that a person consult his doctor to prevent further spread of the infection.

What are the treatments?
Depending on the person and the type of influenza virus he has acquired, treatment may range from a simple bed rest to an array of medicines. Doctors say that a simple flu can be easily remedied with adequate rest, less strenuous physical activities, and plenty of liquid intakes for neutralizing the virus. Typically, physical activity is only allowed after two days following the body’s return to normal temperature. However, there are some people who take longer than two days to recover. In most cases, doctors prescribe medications such as anti-viral drugs to preclude the stay of the virus. Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen are also recommended for relieving muscle and headaches accompanying the flu. However, one should be wary not to give aspirin to children who have influenza, as this may just make matters worse.

Prevention is better than cure
Although there are proper treatments for influenza, prevention is still encouraged. 
In order to prevent the spread of the flu virus, infected patients, if in a public place, should cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing. Likewise, observance of proper hygiene, such as frequent washing of hands, also helps preclude the spread of the disease. A person who is afflicted with influenza should also stay home and avoid direct or close contact with any other person to prevent the risk of passing on the disease to others.

Aside from these simple precautions, doctors also recommend regular flu vaccination every year to create an anti-body that will prevent the growth of the virus in one's system.  Two types of flu vaccination are currently being used in the United States namely, the "flu shots," which is recommended for patients 6 months and above, and the nasal spray flu vaccine, which is intended for healthy patients aging 5 to 49 years old.