Influenza - Symptoms & Treatment

Influenza, more commonly known as flu is a viral infection caused by the influenza virus. Influenza is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system, including your nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. In humans, common symptoms of influenza infection are fever , nausea , vomiting , sore throat , muscle pains , severe headache , coughing , and weakness and fatigue. Although it's commonly called the flu, influenza is not the same as the stomach virus that causes diarrhea and vomiting. Most people recover without problems, but sometimes the illness leads to a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection , sinus infection , or bronchitis . More serious complications, most commonly pneumonia , may develop in some people. If you're at high risk of flu, your first line of defense is an annual flu shot. Although the shot doesn't offer 100 percent protection, it can reduce your chance of infection and help prevent serious complications if you do get sick.

Influenza (or flu) is a common respiratory illness affecting millions of Canadians each year. The most effective way to protect yourself from the flu is to be vaccinated each year in the fall. In recent weeks, we have heard and read a lot about avian influenza, or bird flu, and pandemic influenza. The virus can cause infections all year round, but it's most common in the winter in the UK.Millions of people, including 500,000 Americans, died in the 1918 influenza pandemic. Today, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 36,000 Americans die each year of complications of influenza and more than 200,000 are hospitalized. There are three kinds of influenza viruses and they are known as Influenza types A, B, and C viruses. The antibodies produced to combat the flu virus in the body of an influenza patient cannot recognize the mutated version of the virus. Anyone can get the flu and the more a person is in close contact with people who have the virus, the more likely they are to get it.

Causes of Influenza

The common Causes of Influenza :

• Faulty diet.
• Stress.
• Lack of adequate exercise.
• Living in stuffy rooms.
• Unhealthy way of living.

Symptoms of Influenza

Some Symptoms of Influenza :

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dry cough.
• Headache
• weakness.
• Irritated watering eyes
• Fatigue
• Coughing and sneezing
• Extreme coldness and fever
• Body aches, especially joints and throat
• Loss of appetite.
• Nasal congestion

Treatment of Influenza

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol), or Ibuprofen can relieve head and muscle aches. Aspirin should be avoided for children.
• Bed rest
• Medications for congestion and nasal discharge
• At least one full glass of water or juice every hour.
• Make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
• Control outbreaks of the flu in nursing homes.
• Drink hot water with lemon, ginger and honey.