Posts Tagged ‘Flu Virus’

What You Need to Know About the Flu – How Does the Flu Spread?

Comments: 0February 10th, 2011 by admin



What Is the Flu?

Each winter, millions of people suffer from the flu, which is a highly contagious infection. It spreads easily from person to person, mainly when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs cause the flu, which is the short name for influenza. The illness is usually a mild disease in healthy children, young adults, and middle-aged people. However, it can be life threatening in older adults and in people of any age who have chronic illnesses such as diabetes or heart, lung, or kidney diseases.
The flu is a respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu viruses. It differs in several ways from the common cold, which is a respiratory infection that is also caused by viruses. For example, people with colds rarely get fevers, headaches, or suffer from the extreme exhaustion that the flu viruses can cause.

What types of Flu are there?

The first flu virus was identified in the 1930s. Since then, scientists have classified three types of flu viruses based upon their protein composition. The types of flu virus include types A, B, and C. Type A viruses are found in many kinds of animals, including:

Ducks
Chickens
Pigs
Whales
Humans

Type B virus widely circulates in humans. Type C has been found in humans, pigs, and dogs. Type C causes mild respiratory infections, but does not spark epidemics.
Type A influenza is the most frightening of the three flu types. It is believed to be responsible for the global outbreaks of 1918, 1957, and 1968.

What are the first signs of the Flu

Common flu symptoms start quickly and can include:

Fever
Chills
Dry cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Headache
Muscle aches
Extreme fatigue.

Typically, the fever will begin to decline on the second or third day of the illness.

Is the Flu contagious?

Outbreaks usually begin suddenly and occur mainly in the late fall and winter. The flu spreads through communities, creating an epidemic. During the epidemic, the number of cases peaks in about 3 weeks and subsides after another 3 or 4 weeks. Half of the population of a community may be affected. Schools are an excellent place for flu viruses to attack and spread. Therefore, families with school-age children have more infections than other families, with an average of one-third of the family members becoming infected each year.

When is the Flu season?

Approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of Americans come down with the Flu between November and March (the season for this illness).

Complications

Besides the rapid start of the outbreaks and the large numbers of people affected, the flu is an important disease because it can cause serious complications. Most people who get it will get better within a week, although they may have a lingering cough and tire easily for a while longer. However, for elderly people, newborn babies, and people with certain chronic illnesses, the flu and its complications can be dangerous.

How does the Flu spread?

You can get the flu if someone around you who has it coughs or sneezes. Or, you can get it simply by touching a surface, like a telephone or doorknob, that has been contaminated by someone who has the flu. The viruses can pass through the air and enter your body through your nose or mouth, or if you’ve touched a contaminated surface, they can pass from your hand to your nose or mouth. You are at greatest risk of getting infected in highly populated areas, such as in crowded living conditions and in schools.

Why do I get the Flu?

It is estimated that 10 percent to 20 percent of Americans come down with the flu during each flu season, which typically lasts from November to March. Children are 2 to 3 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, it is estimated that in the United States more than 100,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die from this illness and its complications every year.

Medication for the Flu

Although the flu vaccine is the best flu prevention method, antiviral flu medicine is also available by prescription. Flu medicines include:

Tamiflu

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Flu Shot Facts – Battling Influenza

Comments: 0January 9th, 2011 by admin



Before we discuss the facts surrounding flu shots, perhaps we ought to be clear what flu (influenza) actually is? The flu is an infection of the air waves. Typical symptoms range from fever, sore throat, aching muscles and a cough. Any combination of these symptoms can last for a week or more. Whilst the flu is a manageable disease for most people in society, some people are particularly vulnerable. Those particularly at risk are the elderly and people with weak immune systems. Diabetes sufferers, those with kidney problems and heart disease sufferers are also high on the risk list. Many people die from flu each year; mostly from within the high risk groups.

So, what is the flu vaccine? The flu vaccine is usually prepared from chick embryos, which have been inoculated with a flu virus. Formaldehyde is used to deactivate the flu virus, which is then preserved with a mercury derivative called thimerosal.

In the States, the health authorities try and guess which three flu strains are most likely to cause problems in the coming year (it doesn’t sound very scientific, does it!). Those flu strains deemed to be likely to cause problems are those that are included in the flu vaccine. If the guess is good, the vaccine is thought to be between 70% and 80% effective in preventing the flu in healthy people outside of the high risk groups; particularly the elderly (over 65). If however health officials do not predict which flu strains will be most prevalent, the effectiveness of the vaccine will be lower.

The annual flu shot is designed to counter one of the flu strains contained in the vaccine and nothing else. Any malady’s that are not part of the flu strains will not be effected by the vaccine. So a sore throat, for example, which is not caused by flu, will not be helped by a shot of the flu vaccine.

The question is often asked as to why flu shots are necessary every year. One of the reasons for this is that the prevalent strains of flu change every year, so the vaccine will need to change. To stand a chance of being safe from the most likely suspects of flue virus, you would need to get a shot every year.

Many people are concerned about reactions to flu vaccine. The most common reactions, which begin within 12 hours or so of the vaccination, are symptoms of the flu itself, such as fever, tiredness, headaches etc. However, there are more serious reactions, which are known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). These usually occur within two to four weeks of the shot. GBS is an nerve disorder, with symptoms such as muscle weakness, unsteadiness, numbness, tingling and pain. In extreme cases, paralysis of a limb or of the face can occur. It can take several months to recover, but it is not uncommon for some disability to remain. Having said that, less than 5 percent of GBS cases end in death.

The flu vaccine has never been recommended for healthy children. Some flu vaccine contain mercury as a preservative (as mentioned earlier). In the summer of 1999, the FDA, CDC and EPA directed the vaccine manufacturers to remove mercury (which is known as a neuro toxin) as a preservative in childhood vaccines, so no flu vaccine containing mercury should ever be used with children.

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Flu Shot Side Effects – Painful Flu Jab?

Comments: 0June 6th, 2010 by admin



Have you had a flu shot this year yet?

Tom Smith did and he quickly regretted it. He had a flu shot in his right arm eleven days ago and now his upper arm and shoulder area is killing him! He thinks the flu jab must have hit a nerve. He’s in a panic and asking “What should I do about this? The pain radiates down my arm and into my neck. It also keeps me up for several hours a night. Will the pain from this flu shot go away soon?”

Ron Evans’ mother had the same problem and now he worries what might happen to him. Countless people around the world are worried about an influenza outbreak but don’t protect themselves because they are even more worried about how the vaccination might affect them! What should you do? Will you get side effects too?

Abbie said:

“I had a very bad reaction to a jab recently too. My doctor gave me the shot high up on the shoulder and to be honest I have never seen a flu shot given that way. I asked her about it but she said that it needed to be given deep into the muscle. I could actually feel the pain as she gave the injection – yuk – it really was horrible and within an hour my shoulder was achy and it was the worst I have ever felt after any kind of vaccination. It’s now gone over a week and my shoulder is still aching and I can still hardly lift my arm or shoulder.”

Would all of this put you off having a jab? Don’t make your mind up yet – read below before you decide!

Flu shots or flu vaccinations can cause pain for a number of reasons.

The commonest reason is that some people develop a minor allergic type reaction to the flu virus contained in the vaccine – or more rarely to the stuff that is in the liquid used to make up the vaccine.

The arm becomes warm, swollen and tender and this can persist for up to two weeks. If it is very severe then you should see a doctor for some treatment.

Some experts think that a reaction like this indicates an aggressive response by your immune system to the flu virus in the vaccine – indicating that your immune system will thereafter be very efficient at fighting off flu should you be exposed to it.

Simple remedies to take if your arm reacts like this to a flu jag include over the counter painkillers like Tylenol or paracetamol. You can also apply an ice pack or take an antihistamine tablet.

It is also important to let the doctor or nurse know that you reacted like this so a note can be put on your records. You should also mention a reaction like this before you have another flu shot next year

A vaccination against influenza could literally save your life this year. Don’t rush into a decision not to have one before you really think it through properly.

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Don’t Get the Flu Shot Now!

Comments: 0April 26th, 2010 by admin



Some physicians have wondered if they delay giving the seasonal flu shot to their patients now, even though the vaccine is available. They are concerned that if patients are vaccinated too early, that the immunity may decline leaving these patients vulnerable when the flu season begins in February – March 2010. This would be of particular concern if elderly patients could not maintain their immunity until flu season strikes, as this group is at high risk of severe flu complications.

The CDC, our nation’s most authoritative voice on medical prevention, advises physicians to administer flu shots now. While it is true that levels of flu antibody after vaccination do decline months after a flu shot, this does not mean that the individual is no longer protected. Flu and vaccine experts believe that an early flu shot will protect people for the entire flu season. In addition, if a physician is seeing a patient now, administering the flu shot guarantees that this individual has been vaccinated, rather than hope that the patient returns in a month or two when flu shots are typically given.

Flu shots are not perfect. When pharmaceutical companies manufacture them each year, they do not know in advance which strain of flu will be arriving. Epidemiologists, who study disease trends and outbreaks, try to predict which flu strains will hit us. This is a frustrating cat and mouse vaccine game. Sometimes, the epidemiologists win and sometime the flu virus prevails.

The seasonal flu vaccine is currently recommended to :

o Children 6 months-18 years old
o Adults older than 50
o Pregnant women
o People with underlying medical conditions
o Health care workers

Don’t delay the flu shot. Get it now. Of course, the seasonal flu shot will not protect you against the ‘swine flu’ H1N1 virus. In other words, you’ll be rolling up your sleeve again in a month or two.

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Avoid Getting Sick And Medical Bills This Cold And Flu Season

Comments: 0November 8th, 2009 by admin



It’s autumn, and that means cold and flu (influenza) season for many Americans. Flu outbreaks usually begin in the late fall and early winter each year. Once an outbreak reaches an area, it spreads quickly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year because of the flu, and about 36,000 people die each year because of the flu.

Medical costs are rising, and thousands of people file bankruptcy each year as a result of unmanageable and steep medical bills. Staying healthy is key to avoid high medical costs. Even small steps such as avoiding the flu and colds can keep you from contracting a more serious illness such as pneumonia, bronchitis or other more costly illnesses to treat.

Follow these affordable and easy guidelines to stay healthy and avoid the common cold and flu this fall and winter:

Get The Flu Shot

Obviously, this is the best way to prevent the flu. Each year, millions of Americans protect themselves from the flu virus by taking this preventative step. The vaccine comes in the traditional injection, usually in the arm, and a nasal spray.

Check in your community for where the shot is offered. Many large pharmacies, schools, clinics and doctor’s offices offer the flu shot.

Wash Your Hands – Often

This is absolutely the best way to prevent the spread of germs that causes colds. Everything you touch from keyboards to door knobs carry germs that can cause an infection. When washing your hands, use the hottest water you can stand and antibacterial soap. You should scrub vigorously for about 30 seconds, or the length of time it takes you to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. Dry your hands and use the paper towel to turn the faucet off and open the restroom door.

* Avoid touching your face, mouth, eyes and nose without washing your hands first.

* Wash your hands after touching keypads, money and pens in public places.

* At home and work, sanitize your keyboard, desk phone and cell phone.

Exercise

Regular exercise keeps your heart healthy and your immune system strong. Thirty minutes of cardio such as walking, jogging or running just a few times a week can boost your immune system, which will help you fight off infections.

Take Vitamins and Eat Healthy Foods

Taking a multivitamin every day, eating nutritious foods and staying hydrated are great preventative measures to take against colds. A body that has all of vitamins and minerals it needs will fight off infection more quickly than one that does not.

Relax

Reduce your stress. Strong links have been made between stress levels and immune system functioning. Your immune system weakens with the more stress you carry, and this makes you more susceptible to colds.

Stay Home If You’re Sick

If you have contracted a virus, such as the flu or the common cold, it can take up to 7 – 10 days to convalesce. During that time, you are contagious and can easily spread your infection. If possible, stay home from work, school and errands in public places to avoid giving your infection to others.

There are no guarantees or fool-proof methods to keep from getting sick. However, if you follow these tips, you can certainly increase your odds of staying healthy and avoiding greater medical complications and high medical bills.

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