Influenza is commonly known as flu, it is an infectious disease of birds that can cause by RNA viruses. It is a contagious respiratory illness that is caused by influenza virus. Actually it is a viral infection that affects throat, nose, bronchi and in some cases it also affects lungs.

Influenza is a serious disease and every year about 5%-20% of United States population infected by this disease. Sometimes, more than 200,000 of people are hospitalized as they are having infection of influenza. The flu can be serious or even deadly for elderly people, newborn babies and people with certain chronic illnesses. The influenza even has its own season generally from November to April, with most cases occurring between late December and early March.

Symptoms of influenza

The infection is sometimes confused with common cold but its symptoms are more severe than typical sneezing. Infection of influenza lasts for about a week and sometimes more. It is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, muscle ache, feeling chills, body ache, headache, severe malaise, sore throat, rhinitis and non-productive cough. Dizziness and loss of appetite is another cause of influenza. Sometime vomiting, weakness and ear pain can prove associated symptom of influenza.

Causes

The flu virus travels in air droplets when any infected person sneezes. One can easily inhale these droplets and affected by disease. You can even pick up the germs by sharing things with the infected person such as telephone, towel, computer keyboard etc.

Treatment

The main thing to keep away from flu is to get a yearly flu vaccine. Whenever you get the flu, your health care provider may prescribe medicine to help your body fight the infection and lessen symptoms. You can do some practical ways to prevent the spread of influenza. You should wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Don’t pick up the used tissues as this may lead to infection. Never share utensils and towels with infected person; infection may travel through this way. You should cover your nose and mouth at the time of sneezing as the inflectional bacteria travels in the air and can cause another person.

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This is a 2 minute animated video about influenza and how humans get the flu. It takes you on the journey of an influenza virus, how it is contracted, attacks, and ultimately departs from the cell of an infected person. Read more about our range of rapid tests for diagnosing respiratory infections such as influenza here: www.biomerieux-diagnostics.com

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What is Influenza?

Influenza is an infection caused by a virus of the respiratory tract. Influenza is a very contagious infection and can easily break into a pandemic. You may catch this infection from an infected person who is travelling with you or is working with you or from an infected family member. Influenza virus may infect others around even if the infected person has no illness symptoms. Influenza viruses can enter the body through the mucous membranes in the mouth, eyes, or nose.

Influenza is also known as ‘flu’ and crops up mostly in winter between October and March. The symptoms of influenza are as follows:

Fever – usually continuous and may be lower in older adults than in children and young people
Muscle pain and body aches – often severe, usually in the arms, back and legs
Headache – severe pain
Loss of appetite – mainly due to a feeling of illness or fatigue
Dry cough, sore throat or runny nose – more visible when the fever goes away

Other symptoms are usually more severe, when fever is high. Symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea are not related to influenza as opposed to what most people believe.

Causes for Influenza

Influenza is caused by flu viruses. There are mainly three types of flu viruses – type A, B and C. Influenza A viruses are found in humans and animals, whereas B and C are found only in humans. Influenza A virus possesses two surface proteins, haemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), which are used to classify the virus into subtypes. The natural reservoir for influenza A is considered to be aquatic birds, as all influenza A subtypes are found in these birds, whereas only certain subtypes are found in mammals. These two surface proteins may undergo change over time.

Minor changes are termed antigenic drift, while major changes in one or both of the surface proteins, is called antigenic shift. The importance of these changes is that antibodies in the blood, which are responsible for protection against repeated infection with the virus, are less effective if the virus surface protein changes; the greater the change, the less effective is the antibody. Only influenza A can undergo this dramatic variation in which a virus of a new subtype can suddenly appear in the human population; influenza B and C viruses appear to be more stable than influenza A.

It is this antigenic shift that can be the catalyst for a nation-wide epidemic, or more seriously a world-wide pandemic. The latest example of an emerging new subtype is the ‘bird flu’, first isolated in Hong Kong in May 1997, which previously had only been found in birds and was not associated with disease in humans.

As Influenza viruses are known to mutate over time, new vaccines have to be developed constantly. Old vaccines may not help against a new form of virus. Influenza viruses spread from one person to another through coughing or sneezing. Influenza can also be transmitted by indirect contact with a contaminated object or surface and then with your own mouth, eyes, or nose before washing your hands.

Treatment Available for Influenza

Current influenza vaccines contain either inactivated virus, treated so that it cannot cause infection, or virus components. Recent vaccines contain a mixture of two influenza A subtypes and one influenza B virus. The vaccines are very effective and have been shown to reduce hospital admissions for pneumonia. All viruses used in vaccine production are currently grown in chicken eggs, and experimental vaccines made in mammalian cells are likely to be the next development in vaccine production.

Changes in the virus due to antigenic drift or antigenic shift mean that the vaccine must also change to cover the prevailing strains of the virus; last year’s vaccine may not protect against this year’s virus.

The composition of the influenza vaccine for the next season is coordinated by the WHO. The ability of influenza to continually undergo antigenic change ensures that there is always a possibility that new variants not covered by the vaccine will appear which may give rise to serious epidemics. This means that making a completely accurate prediction of likely influenza activity for the oncoming season is very difficult. It should also be remembered that during the annual winter influenza season, other 'flu-like' viruses also circulate, against which influenza vaccine offers no protection. The vaccine should not be given to people who are allergic to egg products.

Influenza A infections can be prevented to a certain extent with drugs which effectively prevent illness. The combination of vaccination with prophylaxis offers the highest level of protection for high-risk patients.

Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) as Best Influenza Treatment

Tamiflu is a unique medication and helps in treatment as well as prevention of influenza. It is also recommended by World Health Organization in case of influenza pandemic and bird flu outbreak. Tamiflu is a safe and effective drug; however, it would be misleading to say that it is the best influenza treatment. Different people react differently to medications and hence you might find Tamiflu to work well for you but might not work the same way in another individual. It is best to follow the doctor’s instructions in these cases.

Tamiflu is of proven effectiveness in the treatment of influenza. New types of anti-influenza drugs are currently under development. Patients should rest, keep warm and take plenty of non-alcoholic fluids plus any medication recommended by their doctor to relieve symptoms. Antibiotics are of little value except in patients in whom bacterial pneumonia occurs.

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I had heard earlier in the season that a person needed to first have their seasonal flu shot before they would allow the swine flu shot. Is this still valid? I can't find the seasonal flu shot anywhere, but my dd has an appointment Wednesday for the swine flu shot. I'd hate to get there only to hear that she can't get it.

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It seems that one could get as many as 8 common cold infections a year but how many times can you get influenza?

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Valentine's Day is a day for love and romance, candlelit dinners and bubble baths, kissing and cuddling. However, if you or your partner is down with the flu, you might not be able to do any of the above. Kissing and getting intimate is the easiest way to spread the virus. Find out more about influenza below to avoid spreading the virus.

What is H1N1 virus?

H1N1 is a flu virus and is more commonly known as swine flu. It was first detected in the United States in April, 2009. It is named for a virus that pigs normally catch. This virus has now widely spread throughout the world contaminating almost 10% of the world's population. The virus was originally called swine flu because of the genes, which are similar to that of flu viruses in pigs. The H1N1 flu virus is passed from person to person just like other flu strains. You cannot catch swine flu from eating pork.

How does H1N1 virus spreads?

Like most viruses, it enters the body through the mucous membranes – the eyes, the nose or the mouth. Swine flu is spread just as the regular seasonal flu spreads. It goes from person to person through close contact and direct touch, indirect touch, or respiratory droplets carrying the virus from person to person or from person to environmental surfaces through coughs and sneezes. If you touch where a person with swine flu touches, you will most likely pick up the virus and get the swine flu. That is how it spreads indirectly.

Precautions to be taken

You can help prevent the spread of germs that cause influenza by covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

You can take simple precautions to stay away from any contamination by:

Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Trying to avoid close contact with sick people.
Staying home from work or school if you are sick.
Avoiding kissing and getting intimate with an infected person on Valentine's Day

Influenza treatments

A number of methods have been recommended to help ease symptoms, including adequate fluid intake and rest. Over-the-counters pain medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen do not kill the virus; however they may be useful to reduce the symptoms. Aspirin must not be used (by anyone, but especially by people under 19) with any flu symptoms because of the risk of developing other symptoms.

At the moment there is only one prescription medication approved and widely used for the treatment of this condition.

Tamiflu (oseltamivir): It works by binding itself to the neuraminidase and stops the virus from spreading. When the neuraminidase is blocked, the newly formed viruses cannot be released from the infected cells. This prevents the flu virus from spreading and infecting other cells.

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The recent flu crisis associated with the spread of the H1N1 influenza virus has prompted many people to take extra precautions to protect themselves from infection, particularly in areas where cases of the virus have been confirmed. The influenza A (H1N1) virus is being carefully monitored by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which continues to publish up to date information to help educate the public and minimize the spread of the virus.

Preventing transmission from person to person to the degree possible is an overreaching goal in controlling the spread of the H1N1 virus as well as other illnesses. The influenza virus is believed to be spread through respiratory drops from an infected person, which are often released through coughing and sneezing. Another person can contract the virus when these droplets enter his or her nose or mouth, or by touching a surface that has been contaminated and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. While we cannot prevent the virus with 100% certainty, here are a few of the recommendations the CDC has published on its website for helping reduce the chance that you will contract the virus:

Wash your hands with soap for 15-20 seconds often. Practice a healthy lifestyle including getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, being physically active and avoiding stress. Do not touch your nose, eyes or mouth. Avoid close contact with those who are ill. Consider wearing an FDA approved facemask when entering crowded situations in areas where the virus has been confirmed. Consider using an N95 or higher respirator when close contact with an infected person is necessary.

Many of the precautions that are recommended to reduce the chance of contracting influenza viruses are the same as the recommendations for preventing any contagious illness. The disposable medical supplies such as facemasks and respirators recommended by the CDC are widely available to consumers. Surgical masks are designed to help reduce the chance of spreading an infection, while N95 respirators are designed to help prevent the wearer from contracting the virus. When it is necessary to be around or take care of a person who is infected with the influenza virus, the CDC recommends considering wearing an N95 respirator to reduce your chance of contracting the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control has provided a plethora of information to help the public take appropriate actions regarding the flu crisis. Please visit the CDC website for the most up to date information.

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The swine flu epidemic is real, and it’s spreading like a flame.

The virus is suspected in 159 deaths and 2,498 illnesses in Mexico alone, according to the Associated Press (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090429/ap_on_he_me/med_swine_flu). In the United States, 66 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in 5 states. In New York City alone, 45 cases of swine flu have been reported, and there are signs it is beginning to spread from person to person. At St. Francis Preparatory school in New York, hundreds of students have been found ill with symptoms similar to swine flu, including a teacher in one of the 28 confirmed cases. The outbreak prompted a nearby school to shutdown after 80 students called in sick.

New York Health Commissioner Health Thomas Frieden confirmed, “Swine flu is here, and it is spreading.”

Infections are developing around the world. The swine flu epidemic has spread to at least 7 countries after Israel itself confirmed two cases.

The United States is discouraging its own citizens from unnecessary travel to Mexico, while other countries like Cuba and Argentina have outright banned travel to the country. Mexico is doing its own part by temporarily shutting down the pyramids and requiring restaurants to serve take-out food only.

Yet experts state that the virus is already spreading too fast for such efforts to make much of a difference. The virus has already begun showing up in too many places for it to be contained.

Waiting for a swine flu vaccine will time. Although scientists hope to have a swine flu vaccine developed by early May, it will take many more months before shots are available for the first round of testing.

Simple measures can be taken on a personal level, however, to keep the infection from spreading and minimizing the danger of becoming infected. Standard prevention techniques for other common forms of flu, such as frequent hand washing and the use of alcohol sanitizers, can be very effective at slowing the spread of the virus. Influenza can spread from coughs and sneezes, so the polite rule of covering your mouth still applies.

The one piece of encouraging news is that is appears that people can make a quick recovery if the illness is treated early. Of the nearly 2,500 cases of suspected cases in Mexico, only 1,311 people remain hospitalized, suggesting that the illness is very treatable if medical attention is sought in the early stages.

There’s far more that you can do than just canceling your trip to Cancun this summer. Wash your hands frequently; cover your mouth or use tissues when you sneeze. Seek medical attention for any symptoms, as it’s always better to be safe than risk the onset of the illness.

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Don't kid yourself, if you have Swine Flu, you can have the best doctors in the world taking care of you, but the name of the game is Flu Prevention, and the question is how do you resist getting the Swine Flu or any other flu for that matter? You need to get the germ into your body in order to contract the Swine Flu, and that means it has to get into an opening.

Even if you get the germ on your skin, it doesn't guarantee you will contract Swine Flu because it must enter via the mouth, nose, or eyes. Those are the pathways into the body. If you have or are having a surgical procedure done, such as a hospital patient, than the surgical site itself is also a pathway for germs to enter the body.

I am going to give you a few basic ideas about how to prevent the Swine Flu, and for that matter, colds and viruses in general.

- Wash those hands, and keep washing them. Every time, you shake hands with someone, you are shaking hands with everyone else they have shaken hands with, since they last washed their hands. If you do shake hands, then before you touch any other part of your body including your nose, mouth, and eyes, you must get those hands clean.

- A person who is infected can pass the germ to you a day before symptoms appear, and up to 7 days after symptoms appear. You get the virus by contact with such a person directly, or by contact with an object that they touched. It is debatable how long an object such as a doorknob can retain the live germ.

- Beware of door handles. About the most germ infested surface you can touch is a door handle or the faucets you turn the water on and off with, especially in bathrooms that others use. Once you touch either of these objects, it is as though you never washed your hands at all. Our suggestion is to use the same paper towel you dry your hands with as a barrier between your now germ free hand and the door knob or water faucet.

- At work, we keep bottles of Windex handy. Just spray the bathroom doors, and the faucets and the door handles to people's offices and let the air dry them which only takes a minute or two. If you immediately dry the surface, you destroy most of the germ inhibiting barrier.

- Go to a major discounter like Wal-Mart and stock up on hand sanitizers. Easily carried 2 to 4 oz bottles that can fit in your pocket, are less than a $1 and give one to each member of the family. They are fabulous for cleaning hands, and the residue evaporates within seconds. Doctors use them all the time. It's cheap insurance.

- If and when the Swine Flu hits your area, than order some masks that are N95 rated. They are recommended by the Center for Disease Control, and are very inexpensive. Go online and Google "Swine Flu Masks", and check prices.

Follow these simple rules religiously, and we think the Swine Flu will be bypassing you and your house this season. Good luck.

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Influenza is one of the more common illnesses affecting a person. There is no specific age group that is prone or not prone to influenza. It affects the young and the old in equal measure. Also, perfectly healthy people can be affected by this virus. Older people are definitely more vulnerable from it and it's advisable that they get immediate medical attention for the same.

Influenza

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection. Typically, the virus spreads when an infected person sneezes and coughs. The tiny droplets of saliva help carry the virus and spread it in the air, easily infecting other people in the vicinity. The virus affects the nose, bronchi, lungs and throat. The infection is characterized by a sudden onset of fever, sore throat, cough and muscle pain. Some other symptoms of influenza include headache, runny nose, increased sensitivity to light, ocular pain, and a burning sensation in the chest.

The influenza pandemic

The most recent occurrence of the influenza pandemic was in the form of swine flu which spread on a worldwide scale. It affected populations across the globe and countries found it tough to restrict its spread due to the unavailability of any vaccine that could help combat the threat. An influenza pandemic differs in scope to the regular seasonal influenza epidemics. Pandemics are irregular and the mortality rates are high. The latest influenza pandemic has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people worldwide. Swine flu became a pandemic because it was caused by a new strain of the influenza virus. People hadn't developed the immunity to this virus strain as they had with the older strains of human influenza.

Influenza - Treatment options

There is a range of treatment options available for influenza. It includes a mixture of medications and therapies. There are two types of treatment option for the virus. The first targets the virus directly, while the second provides relief from the associated symptoms of this condition. In the latter, the body's immune system acts on the virus to help it recover from the infection. The two main antiviral drugs that are used against influenza belong to the family of medications known as neuraminidase inhibitors. Tamiflu, its active ingredient oseltamivir, and Relenza, its active ingredient zanamivir, are the two commonly prescribed medications for influenza.

Tamiflu - One of the first options for influenza treatment

There are many drugs available for the treatment of influenza, but Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) is the most prescribed option. This is because it not only works against influenza Type A virus, but is also effective against the influenza Type B virus. It was also found to effectively treat the symptoms associated with swine flu. Tamiflu takes the lead over most other medications as it directly fights the virus and not its symptoms. Tamiflu is not an over-the-counter drug and a doctor's prescription is necessary if you want to buy the drug. It's important that you apprise your doctor of your medical history and intake of medications during the consultation. This will make sure that your doctor prescribes Tamiflu keeping your overall health perspective in mind.

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Yes, you must’ve heard it already. Spine Flu is no more a virgin word. It’s caused by spine influenza virus that usually affects pigs. However, the new swine flu having prospective ecumenical affects is a new strain of virus, H1N1 strain, A type, containing genes of the swine influenza.

News is spreading like wild fire with warning that the swine flu can be transmitted via aerial droplets, for example when sneezing, or via saliva or feces. Clinical symptoms generally seen are: fever, widespread pain, fatigue, nose catarrh and cough.

There have been cases in Mexico reported to have human-to-human transmission. Although many countries have been controlling airplanes to stop the virus from turning into an epidemic, there was a 25 year old man tested positive in Hong Kong recently.

Although it was said that the virus might not touch Asia, Hong Kong has gone frantic with its attempts to isolate the person affected and give him appropriate treatment. They have actually tried tracking down every person who possibly had contact with the man while his travel from Mexico via Shanghai.

There were two taxi drivers who assisted the Mexican and if they are infected and they don’t appear, there shall be bad consequences. It’s a critical time in Hong Kong.

The attendants in the hotels where the Mexican was staying were quarantined for seven days. It is however an international joke that the Metropark hotel has been locked up even though most people in the hotel have not even contacted with the infected man and overseas tourist are under vigilance for seven days.

China is soon to suspend all flights from Mexico to avoid further prospective infects. These frenetic preventive steps are because they’ve been through a painful epidemic with painful nostalgia carrying it, the SARS breakout which had taken away many innocent lives in its vicious circle.

Gearing up to fight the disease with facial masks in restaurants and on public transport, the spirit of the city hasn’t dampened as it hasn’t canceled any concerts and shows that are scheduled to happen in Hong Kong. Prevention is surely better than cure, but there isn’t any harm having fun while prevention. Don’t you think?

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Influenza, also known as flu, is the clinical condition that results from infection with influenza

viruses. The main effects of the influenza viruses are on the upper respiratory tract, the nose

and throat, with possible spread and involvement of the lungs and bronchi.

The disease is highly contagious and it has potential to cause wide spread epidemics affecting

sizeable portion of a population at any time. Although it is more common during winter it may

strike at any time. It affects people of all ages.

Symptoms

Influenza strikes suddenly. It usually begins with a chill, fever, headache and severe muscular

pains. The patient feels miserable and weak. There is an inflammation in the nose and throat,

which may spread down the windpipe to the lungs, resulting in a sore throat, cough, running of

the nose and eyes. In milder case of influenza the temperature rises to 102 o F and lasts for two

or three days. In severe cases, it may go upto 104 o F and last for four or five days. The

consequent weakness and fatigue may continue for several weeks. This may be followed by a

deep chest cough due to irritation in the windpipe.

Causes

Influenza is what is known as germ disease. It is, however, not caused primarily by the action of

the germs as is generally believed, but develops due to a toxic and run-down condition of the

system of the affected person. This condition is brought about by dietetic errors and a faulty style

of living such as worry, over work, lack of proper exercise , living in stuffy rooms and keeping

late hours. No disease germs can find lodgment and become active in the system of a person

who is perfectly healthy in the true sense of the term. Influenza is passed on with ease from one

affected person to an other especially to those who are also in an equally low vital stage. That is

how an epidemic starts.

Treatment

Influenza , like all other acute diseases, is a natural attempt at self-cleansing and if rightly

treated in a natural way, immense good can ensue so far as the future health of the patient is

concerned. In the acute stage of influenza, a patient should abstain from all solid foods and only

drink fruit and vegetable juices diluted with water, 50 - 50 for first three to five days, depending

on the severity of the disease. The juice fast should be continued till the temperature comes

down to normal. The warm water enema should be taken daily during this period to cleanse the

bowels.

After fever subsides the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for two or three days. In this regimen,

the patient should take three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes,

oranges, pineapple, peaches and melons at five-hourly intervals. Bananas or dried, stewed or

tinned fruits however, should not be taken. No other food stuff should be added to the fruit

meals, otherwise the value of the treatment will be lost. This may be followed by a further two or

three days on fruits and milk diet. Thereafter, the patient may adopt a well-balanced diet of three

basic food groups namely, (i) seeds, nuts and grains, (ii) vegetables, and (iii) fruits.

Spices and condiments , and pickles, which make food more palatal and lead to overeating,

must be avoided. Lemon juice may be used in salad dressing. Alcohol, tobacco, strong tea and

coffee, highly seasoned meats, over-boiled milk, pulses, potato, rice, cheese, refined,

processed, stale and tinned foods should all be avoided.

Certain remedies have been found highly beneficial in the treatment of influenza. The most

important of these is the use of long pepper. Half a teaspoonful of the powder of the long pepper

with two teaspoonfuls of honey and half a teaspoonful of juice of ginger should be taken thrice a

day. This will help greatly if taken in initial stages of the disease. It is especially useful in

avoiding complications which follow the onset of the disease, namely, the involvement of the

larynx and bronchial tube.

Another excellent remedy for influenza is the green leaves of basil or tulsi plant. About one gram

of these leaves should be boiled along with some ginger n half a litre ofwater till about half the

water is left. This decoction should be taken as tea. It gives immediate relief.

Garlic and turmeric are other effective food medicines for influenza. Garlic is useful as a general

antiseptic and should be given as much as the patient can bear. Garlic juice may also be sucked

up the nose. A teaspoonful of turmeric powder should be mixed in a cup of warm milk and taken

three times in the day. It will prevent complications arising from influenza and also activate the

liver which becomes sluggish during the attack.

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