Influenza Virus
The Season of Influenza Virus
Influenza season tends to roll in with the holidays, and
generally peaks when the New Year comes. This respiratory
illness, or more commonly known as the flu, which is caused
by influenza viruses and is easily spread from person to person.
Most of the infected adults are contagious one day before
symptoms begin, so you can begin spreading the flu before
you even find out that you are sick. Since the viruses change
slightly every year, so, getting influenza one winter does
not mean you are immune to it the next. Hence, the only way
to prevent the virus from infecting you is to get a annual
vaccination.
The Symptoms
Influenza symptoms impersonate those common cold virus to
some extent. The major differences between the two are that
influenza will most likely to include a high fever and severe
muscle aches and fatigue. The other symptoms are such as headache,
dry cough, sore throat and nasal congestion.
Sometimes, the infected person may experience stomach ailments
such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually
less common though. The idea of “stomach flu”
is somewhat false, since gastrointestinal illnesses are generally
caused by other microorganisms instead of influenza viruses.
People who suffer from the flu can at the risk of developing
complications from the virus, such as ear and sinus infections
and dehydration. Those who have chronic illnesses like asthma
or diabetes can experience additional problems with the flu.
Treatment And Complications Of Influenza Virus
Most people are able to recover from the flu on their own
with home remedies such as bed rest and over-the-counter medications
to treat symptoms. There are others who are considered high
risk may develop serious complications which can lead to hospitalization
or even death.
The high risk group includes people who age 65 above and
young children, and people with chronic conditions. People
who are in the high risk category are strongly advised to
get an influenza vaccination every year in order to prevent
serious problems from arising.
Right now, vaccinations have proven to be very effective
in controlling influenza outbreaks. For those who get sick
despite receiving the vaccine, the symptoms are generally
much softer and complications are rarer.
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