Influenza
Disease
Cause
Transmission
The Flu Virus is spread from one person to another by coughing and sneezing, and in rare cases pigs can also infect humans.
Symptoms
There are three types of flu. Type C is the weakest, type B is more unstable, and and type A is the most unstable. The more unstable the flu virus the stronger it is and the harder it is for your body to fight off. The noticeable symptoms of the flu are chills, high fevers, scratchy throat, dry cough, aching in the head and muscles, and fatigue and weakness. Other symptoms of the flu are bacterial infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear infections. One of the effects the flu virus has is an increased chance of getting bacterial pneumonia which could lead to death. Guillain-Barre, a rare allergic reaction to the flu, causes muscle weakness in the arms and legs.
Treatment
The flu virus is a self treated disease that can be treated by resting and staying in bed. Antivirals may help reduce the symptoms and shorten the disease if treated within 48 hours.
Prevention
To prevent the flu people can choose to get a vaccine, but the vaccine can’t fully prevent the flu. The flu vaccine takes about 2 weeks until it becomes effective and works properly. Other ways to prevent the flu is wash your hands, contain coughs and sneezes, and avoid crowds.
Incidence
People that choose not to get flu shot have a higher chance of getting the flu than those who get a flu shot because nearly everybody that gets a flu shot doesn’t get the flu but about 10-20% of those who don’t get vaccinated get the flu virus. The flu virus can occur anywhere but it is most common in cold weather and 200,000 people are infected world wide.
The elderly people with immune disorders and chronic disorders are more likely to get the flu virus and those who work in health fields are encouraged to get a flu vaccine and for people 65 years or older they are encouraged to get a vaccine against pneumococcal pneumonia and the flu also attacks young children. Pregnant, obese people, and people in poor living conditions or nursing homes are also more likely to get the flu.
Prognosis
90% of all influenza deaths are of people 65 or older and about 1 in 1,000 people who get the flu die. The flu vaccine puts an undeveloped flu virus into your body so your immune system can recognize the flu virus but other treatments are recommended for people 65 or older.
Current Events
Bibliography
"Influenza." Julia Barrett and Rebecca J. Frey, PhD. The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. 5th ed. Detroit: Gale, 2015. 9 vols.
Turner, Stephanie. "Influenza vaccine considered best bet in the seasonal battle." Aiken Standard (SC) 28 Sept. 2015: Newspaper
"Influenza (Flu)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 05 Feb. 2016. Web. 09 Feb. 2016.
https://www.sharecare.com/health/cold-and-flu/how-common-is-influenza
"Influenza (flu)." - Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 29 Sept. 2015. Web. 09 Feb. 2016.