Influenza
Very contagious respiratory virus
What is the Flu?
Influenza is a common respiratory virus that is very contagious, but mostly not to humans. The flu attacks pigs and birds most of the time, but sometimes mutates itself so humans can catch it. It is entered through the body through the nasal cavity. The flu then seeps its way into good lung and throat cells. The virus hacks into your good cells, metaphorically. It then reproduces itself and attacks more cells. The virus only lasts one week or two.
Symptoms of Influenza
- headaches
- sore throat
- fever
- chills
- muscle aches
- dry cough
- stuffy nose
- extreme exhaustion
How does it work?
The respiratory system takes in Oxygen and turns it into Carbon Dioxide. The CO2 then leaves the body. The infected respiratory system is inflamed and sore. The good cells that are in your throat and lungs would be infected and infecting more cells.
Diagnostics for Influenza
How do doctors determine if you have the flu or not? They simply insert a sterile swab into the nasal cavity and collect a sample. Then the sample is tested for Influenza.
When has the flu appeared?
The Influenza virus started along time ago. Ever heard of the Spanish Flu? The one that almost killed half the world? I guess that could be classified as pretty bad, however we have the same virus around here now too. So why aren't we under a terrible threat? We have the knowledge for how to cope with the flu. As opposed to the 1918 Spanish flu when they had no clue. The flu has been a threat for a while now. But we have the technology to fight it.
Where can the flu attack?
The Influenza virus can infect any part of the world. It just takes someone with the virus to go there. For example, during the Spanish Flu, the most remote Alaskan tribes were wiped from existence because someone with the flu went there. The most recent outbreak was in Japan. They wanted to recreate the Spanish Flu for scientific studies. Most of Japan got the flu, then most of America.
The Spanish influenza massacre
"Not So" Fun Facts!
- Strains of Influenza mutate each year.
- The flu vaccine contains a mercury based preservative called Thimerosal!
- Influenza takes about a day to develop symptoms.
Who can catch the flu?
Any person who is exposed to the flu can catch it. Kids are more susceptible to the flu. The people who are less susceptible would be the people who wash their hands frequently, or live in a place with less people.
Flu Attack! How A Virus Invades Your Body