How Much Do You Know About the Flu?

Flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu viruses. Symptoms of flu involve muscle aches and soreness, headache, and fever. Flu viruses enter the body through the mucus membranes of your nose,eyes, or mouth. Every time you touch your hand to one of these areas, you are possibly infecting yourself with a virus. 

Types of Flu Viruses

There are three types of flu viruses: A, B, and C. Type A and B cause the annual influenza epidemics that have up to 20% of the population sniffling, aching, coughing, and running high fevers. Type C also causes flu; however, type C flu symptoms are much less severe. 

1. Type A flu or influenza A viruses are capable of infecting animals, although it is more common for people to suffer the ailments associated with this type of flu. Wild birds commonly act as the hosts for this flu virus. Type A flu virus is constantly changing and is generally responsible for the large flu epidemics. The influenza A2 virus (and other variants of influenza) is spread by people who are already infected. The most common flu hot spots are those surfaces that an infected person has touched and rooms where he has been recently, especially areas where he has been sneezing.
2. Unlike type A flu viruses, type B flu is found only in humans. Type B flu may cause a less severe reaction than type A flu virus, but occasionally, type B flu can still be extremely harmful. Influenza type B viruses are not classified by subtype and do not cause pandemics.
3. Influenza C viruses are also found in people. They are, however, milder than either type A or B. People generally do not become very ill from the influenza type C viruses. Type C flu viruses do not cause epidemics.

Prevention of Flu:

Take time to get a flu vaccine.

1. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
2. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors' visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.
3. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as the current season's vaccines are available.
4. Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.
5. People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
6. Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to them.
7. Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for infants should be vaccinated instead.

Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.

1. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
2. While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
3. If you are sick with flu-like illness, Dr. Amarjeet recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).
4. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
5. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
6. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
7. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.