Flu Reading Answers

Flu is a colloquialism for influenza. The flu is an acute respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses A or B. Most people, who get the flu, recover completely in 1 to 2 weeks, but some people develop serious and potentially life-threatening medical complications, such as pneumonia. Much of the illness and death caused by influenza can be prevented by annual influenza vaccination.

Coming to the types of influenza, Seasonal flu is although regular. Old influenza may not seem as frightening as some of its more exotic siblings This usually spreads through the air; less commonly via contact with a contaminated surface. For most healthy adults, seasonal flu lasts about a week and usually goes away on its own. It tends to be more debilitating than the common cold, with symptoms like head and muscle aches, fever cough, sore throat and a runny nose. Young children, pregnant women and adults of 65 and up-plus those with a compromised immune or respiratory system-are most vulnerable to complications.

HINI flu formerly known as swine flu, virus surfaced in 2009 and reached pandemic proportions, infecting approximately 60 million people in the US alone. It is transmitted in the same ways as other seasonal flu. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of other seasonal flu strains although unlike other strains. A HINI has been shown to hit healthy adults under 65 especially hard. Avian flu also known as bird flu spreads mainly from infected birds to humans. When humans come in contact with HSNI, they can develop fever and cough and have difficulty in breathing. Up to 60% of those infected have died. According to press, more than 2,400 people have died in the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and the virus reached American soil for the first time in August, when infected health-care workers were

flown home and treated. The illness involves vomiting and sometimes internal and external bleeding. Transmission is possible only through shared bodily fluids, so unless you're travelling to affected countries, risk of exposure is low. About one in five people infected with this mosquito-borne virus will develop a fever, rash, headache or joint pain; one in 100 will get a neurological illness such as meningitis. 

To keep bugs at bay, wear insect repellent containing DEET, get rid of standing water in your yard and screen or close doors and windows. Chikungunya the viral infection, spread by the tiger mosquito, was reported in the Caribbean in 2013. Symptoms of this include fever and joint pain. Protecting yourself from insect bites is your strongest defense. The symptoms of flu usually develop within one to three days of becoming infected. Most people will feel better within a week. The Main symptoms

of flu are a sudden fever- a temperature of 38°C (100.4F) or above, a dry, chesty cough, a headache, tiredness and weakness, chills, aching muscles limb or joint pain, diarrhea or abdominal (tummy) pain, nausea and vomiting, a sore throat, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, loss of appetite and a difficulty in sleeping

It can sometimes be difficult to tell if you have the flu or just a cold. The symptoms can be quite similar but flu comes on quickly, usually includes fever and aching muscles and makes you feel dizzy whereas, cold comes on gradually and mainly affects your nose and throat, are fairly mild. So you can still get around and are usually well enough to go to work. Flu symptoms can cause a world of misery, from fever and cough to sore throat, nasal congestion, aches, and chills. But there are ways to feel better. Prescription antiviral drugs may ease symptoms of the flu when taken shortly after you get sick. In many cases, however, simple home remedies may be all you need for relief of mild to moderate flu symptoms. To naturally cure your Flu, drink a lot of water. The flu can leave you dehydrated, especially if you have vomiting or diarrhoea. So be sure to get enough fluids. Water is fine. So are fruit juices and electrolyte beverages. Herbal tea with honey can soothe a sore throat. 

For generations, caring parents have been serving chicken soup to kids with colds and flu. Just become a couch potato. Listen to your body. If it's telling you not to exercise, don't If it's urging you to spend all day in bed, do. Breathing moist air helps case nasal congestion and sore throat pain. One good strategy is to indulge in a steamy shower several times a day or just turn on the shower and sit in the bathroom for a few minutes, inhaling the steam. Another is to use a steam vaporizer or a humidifier. Clean it often to make sure it's free of mold and mildew. Bring a pot of water to a boil and remove it from the heat. Drape a towel over your head, close your eyes, and lean over the water under the "tent." breathing deeply through your nose for 30 seconds Repeat this as often as necessary to ease congestion. On the forehead and nose, a warm cloth is a great way to relieve headache or sinus pain

Cough drops, throat lozenges and hard candy can be surprisingly effective at easing a cough or sore throat. Gargling with salt water helps get rid of the thick mucus that can collect at the back of the throat, especially after you've been lying down. It can also help ease stuffy cars. To case stuffiness and post-nasal drip - and perhaps to cut the risk of getting a sinus infection, some doctors recommend nasal irrigation. 

You can buy a neti pot in health food stores and drugstores or opt for a saline squeeze bottle. You pour salt water into one nostril and let it run out through the

other, clearing out your nasal passages. You can buy pre-made saline solution or make it by mixing salt and lukewarm sterile or distilled water. Even having someone to tuck you into bed and bring you fluids is very comforting. And surely one needs a doctor.