Influenza (Influenza, Traditional Influenza, H1N1, H3N2 and Avian Influenza [H5N1]) Facts
Influenza (Influenza, Traditional Influenza, H1N1, H3N2 and Avian Influenza [H5N1]) Facts
Influenza, commonly called "the flu," is caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract.
Flu symptoms include: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.
The incubation period for the flu is about one to four days.
The flu is contagious and symptoms can last up to 7 to 14 days.
Influenza is diagnosed through a patient's medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests.
Influenza spreads directly and indirectly; for example, directly from person to person through airborne droplets produced when sneezing or coughing, and indirectly when contaminated droplets land on surfaces that are subsequently touched by uninfected individuals spread from person to person.
There are three types of influenza viruses known as A, B and C, with influenza A usually causing the most problems in humans.
Most people who catch regular or seasonal flu recover fully within one to two weeks, but some develop serious and potentially life-threatening medical complications, such as pneumonia.
Influenza can make chronic health problems worse
Getting the flu vaccine every year can prevent most illnesses and deaths from routine or seasonal flu.
Influenza A frequently undergoes antigenic changes, and new vaccines need to be developed, and people need to receive new vaccines every year. New vaccine technologies are being developed.
In April 2009, a new influenza virus called the novel H1N1 swine flu emerged in Mexico and spread rapidly around the world, leading the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic. Ultimately, the World Health Organization declared the pandemic over in 2010. A new strain of influenza virus, H3N2v, emerged in 2012, but it has not yet developed into an epidemic.
The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies from year to year, as does the strain that causes the flu.
Some home remedies may reduce flu symptoms.
Like the flu virus, drug treatments are constantly changing and improving, but for now, timely vaccination is still considered the best defense against the flu. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers antiviral drugs an important adjunct to influenza vaccines in controlling the disease process.
People should be aware that influenza pandemics can cause severe influenza symptoms and sometimes kill many people who are more susceptible to influenza pandemics than traditional influenza; however, a previous pandemic influenza virus (H1N1) has been obtained in vaccines, And is considered part of the traditional epidemic influenza virus.
Avian influenza (H5N1) primarily infects birds, but also affects humans who have had close contact with birds.
Individuals should consult their doctor to determine if they are considered more likely to experience severe flu symptoms than normal healthy individuals.
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