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- What is Flu?
- What are Symptoms of the Flu?
- Different Types of Flu Viruses?
- How is Flu Transmitted?
- What Can I Do to Prevent the Flu?
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1. What is Flu?
Influenza — commonly shortened to "the flu" — is an extremely contagious viral disease that appears most frequently in winter and early spring. The infection spreads through the upper respiratory tract and sometimes invades the lungs.
Influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu viruses. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 35 to 50 million Americans come down with the flu during each flu season, which typically lasts from November to March. Children are two to three times more likely than adults to get sick with the flu, and children frequently spread the virus to others. Although most people recover from the illness, CDC estimates that in the United States more than 100,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die from the flu and its complications every year.
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2. What are Symptoms of the Flu?
It attacks the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs). The flu is different from a cold. Influenza usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:
- Fever
- Headache
- Tiredness (can be extreme)
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion
- Body aches
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3. Different Types of Flu Viruses?
The first flu virus was identified in the 1930's. Since then, scientists have classified flu viruses into types A, B, and C.
Type A is the most common and usually causes the most serious epidemics. Type B outbreaks also can cause epidemics, but the disease it produces generally is milder than that caused by type A. Type C viruses, on the other hand, never have been connected with a large epidemic.
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4. How is Flu Transmitted?
The main way that influenza viruses are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an affected person are propelled (generally up to 3 feet) through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. You can get the flu simply by touching a surface like a telephone or door knob that has been contaminated by a touch from someone who has the flu. The viruses can pass through the air and can enter your body through your nose or mouth. If you've touched a contaminated surface, they can pass from your hand to your nose or mouth.
You are at the greatest risk of getting infected in highly populated areas, such as in crowded living conditions and in schools.
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5. What Can I Do to Prevent the Flu?
You can prevent the flu by using vaccine or anti-viral drugs beside, there are other ways to protect against flu.
- Avoid close contact
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- Stay home when you are sick
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
- Cover your mouth and nose
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Clean your hands
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
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