Influenza
Influenza, or the flu as it's commonly known, is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system. Unlike the stomach viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting, influenza affects the nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. Approximately 36,000 Americans die each year of complications of influenza and more than 200,000 are hospitalized.
While anyone can get the flu, it is more common in young children, older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic illnesses. The annual flu shot is a good method of preventing the flu from attacking you. It isn't 100 percent guaranteed to ward off infection, but it greatly reduces your risk.
Signs and Symptoms
With initial symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat, at first the flu can be mistaken for a common cold. But unlike a cold, flu symptoms quickly progress to include the following:
- Temperature of over 101 F in adults, and often as high as 103 to 105 F in children
- Chills and Sweats
- Headache
- Dry Cough
- Muscular aches and pains
- Fatigue and weakness
- Nasal congestion
- Loss of appetite
- diarrhea and vomiting in children
Causes
Flu viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can become infected through the direct inhalation of those droplets, or through contact with them via objects like telephones, computer keyboards and mouses.
There are three strains of viruses that cause the flu. Influenza A is a deadly virus that strikes every 10 to 40 years. Type B generally leads to smaller, more localized outbreaks. Types A and B can cause the flu that circulates almost every winter. Type C, which has never been connected with a large epidemic, is a fairly stable virus, but types A and B are constantly changing. That's why it's important for anyone who's had the flu to get a flu shot each year.
Risk factors
In addition to infants, young children and adults over 50, others considered at higher risk for getting influenza are:
- Nursing home and long term care facility residents
- Those with chronic disorders like diabetes or heart, kidney or lung disease
- People with weakened immune system such as from medications or HIV infection
- Women who are pregnant during flu season
- Health care facility personnel
- Anyone who has frequent close contact with infants or young children
Generally, it is recommended that anyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated against the flu annually. Immunization significantly helps to control outbreak of the flu in communities.