Influenza
What is Influenza?
Influenza is a viral infection that is spread through tiny droplets spread by sneezing, coughing, and talking passed from person to person by an individual who is contaminated to the disease. It is considered highly contagious and spreads all throughout the world. The virus targets the respiratory. Symptoms of influenza include fever, chills, muscle aches, coughing, congestion, runny nose, headaches, and fatigue. There are many variants of Influenza including type A and type B. Over the course of the flu season varying types of influenza are spread. Type A and Type B influenza are responsible for the seasonal flu epidemics each year.
Number of cases of Influenza in the United States in the 2018-2019 flu season
Flu Vaccinations
The flu is constantly changing and evolving forcing scientist to create new vaccinations for the flu depending on the the conditions of the brought forth by the flu. Each year people all around are urged to be vaccinated against the flu to limit the spread of the disease and to protect those who are unable to be vaccinated and are prone to sickness. Many places such as schools make the flu vaccine required to attend and will not let those without the vaccine attend the school. The flu vaccine plays an important role in reducing the number of cases of the flu and it is highly encouraged to be vaccinated annually during flu season.
Why It's Important to Get an Influenza Vaccine Every Year
Major Outbreaks of Influenza
The 1918 flu pandemic otherwise known as the Spanish flu killed more people than those killed in World War 1 which the world was currently recovering from during the time of the pandemic. It is estimated that somewhere from 20 to 40 million people dies of the Spanish flu. It was unusually dangerous most likely due to the conditions brought upon the world during the World War.
In 1947 there was another outbreak of the flu known as the Asian flu. It had originated in China and it had made its way around the world making it to the United States killing 70,000 people. The Asian flu had killed over a million people world wide before it came to an end.
During the presidency of Barack Obama in 2009 a major pandemic of the flu broke out known as the Swine flu. A new strain of the flu had been introduced rendering previous vaccinations useless causing the virus to spread rampant. This was the first major flu pandemic in over 40 years killing around 575,000 people worldwide those mostly being over the age of 65.
1918 Flu Pandemic (Spanish flu)
1947 Flu Pandemic (Asian flu)
2009 Flu Pandemic (Swine Flu)
How to Help Prevent the Spread of Influenza
There are many things an individual can do to help limit the spread of the flu. If possible it is recommended to vaccinate yourself to build up an immunity to the disease to decrease the possibility of you getting the flu. Common courtesies such sneezing and coughing away from others and covering your sneeze and cough can also help. Washing your hands correctly and for the appropriate amount of time can reduce the likeliness of you spreading the virus through touch. It is recommended that you refrain from touching your face as to limit the exposure of the virus. If you believe yourself to be sick or you are showing symptoms in is important to containment yourself and isolate from others until you are no longer contagious.