Flu Welcome to the Affordable Drugs flu information page. Flu, or influenza, is a very hot topic right now. With the constant threat of a bird flu or swine flu pandemic the subject is on many people's mind. Especially during flu season the level of panic seems to rise. By educating yourself about the flu you can remain calm and give yourself a better chance of preventing yourself from getting the flu. Learn about flu symptoms, when flu season is, flu vaccine and more. You can also find the best prices available on flu medications. The information contained on this page is not intended to replace the professional advice of your physician.
What is the Flu? What is the flu? Influenza, or the flu as it's more generally known, is a highly contagious viral infection. Influenza A and influenza B are the two viruses responsible for the recurring wintertime epidemics that annually impact millions of people. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that between five percent and twenty percent of the population contracts the flu virus every year. Infected individuals' coughing and sneezing are considered the prime culprits in the flu's transmission, although not the only ones. The flu virus can also be spread by casual contact, such as a handshake or a kiss. In addition, infected persons are contagious for an entire day before exhibiting any flu symptoms, and are often unaware that they are transmitting the virus to others.
What is flu and how is it different from the common cold? The flu bug is a respiratory illness that is frequently confused with ordinary colds because of such similar symptoms as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and sore throat. There are, however, unique symptoms that distinguish the flu from a cold, including body aches, fever, fatigue, headache, cold sweats, nausea, and diarrhea. Variations of these symptoms accompany those infected with the flu virus but not normal head colds.
In most instances, the symptoms of influenza last approximately a week. The exceedingly exhausted feeling that is often associated with the flu may linger somewhat longer, even after the other symptoms have disappeared. While the vast majority of flu cases are unwelcome and uncomfortable�keeping those who have contracted the virus in bed and sedentary for several days�they are not considered serious or life threatening. Nevertheless, for a small percentage of the population�specifically those with already compromised immune systems�the flu virus can be very dangerous and should be carefully monitored. These at-risk groups include persons over the age of sixty-five, infants and young children, pregnant women, and individuals suffering from chronic diseases or other illnesses.
Should you contract the flu virus, doctors recommend that you rest, keep yourself warm, drink plenty of fluids, and eat what you can. While you may, understandably, have a negligible appetite�or none at all�your immune system is in a weakened state while battling the virus, and adequate nourishment is needed more than ever. Of course, avoid alcohol and cigarette smoking altogether. And, very importantly, to prevent further spread of the influenza virus, it is prudent that you keep your interactions with others to an absolute minimum.
As the single most effective way to prevent contracting the virus, health authorities advise getting a flu vaccination every year. Usually in the autumn, the flu shot, which is administered by needle, becomes available to the general public. Consult with your doctor to learn if the flu shot is right for you, and when you should get it. It's not unprecedented that influenza outbreaks occur in October, but the month of January�the heart of winter�is historically the flu's peak season.
Flu Symptoms Influenza causes a specific set of symptoms that, while potentially misleading in appearance, are relatively easy to observe. Flu symptoms are generally similar to cold symptoms, but usually appear more abruptly. A fever, either mild or high, is one of the first to appear. It is quickly followed by headaches and fatigue, sometimes to extreme levels. These symptoms can be accompanied by muscle and body aches, especially centered around joints. People suffering from influenza typically have warm skin (related to their fever), red eyes, and runny noses with watery mucus. In most cases they will also exhibit a dry cough and a sore throat.
The severity of symptoms varies widely; the virus may cause a life-threatening reaction in one person and only mild discomfort in another. People of different ages in particular tend to have slightly different flu symptoms. Children and the elderly typically experience more debilitating symptoms. Fevers caused by influenza in children can reach 104�F while still accompanied by many of the same symptoms that adults experience (body aches, headaches, etc.). Children are much more likely than adults to experience vomiting and diarrhea related to the flu. The weakness and fatigue that follows the flu in children may also remain up to two weeks after other flu symptoms have disappeared.
Infants are less commonly affected by influenza, but the virus can cause unnatural tiredness and poor circulation in children under six months old.
The elderly, on the other hand, may not develop a fever at all. Instead, they can experience shortness of breath and skin discoloration. While adults typically have a dry cough while suffering from influenza, the elderly may produce more mucus from their coughing.
Keep in mind that flu symptoms are easily misdiagnosed and may not be caused by the influenza virus at all. A wide range of ailments can cause flu-like symptoms, from food poison to the HIV virus. Children and infants especially can exhibit all the classic symptoms of influenza while suffering from an unrelated illness like chickenpox. Severe flu symptoms or symptoms lasting longer than one week may not be related to influenza; consult a doctor to verify the cause.
Flu Season WHEN IS FLU SEASON?
The flu, or influenza, makes its appearance on a regular, seasonal basis. Commonly, flu season appears with the onset of cold weather and does not disappear until warm weather has set in. In the United States, the time frame for flu outbreaks is generally from mid October to early May, though this interval may vary depending upon climate conditions. The flu season will typically last longer in the northern part of the United States where temperatures are cooler, and have a shorter duration period in the southern, more tropical states. Generally speaking though, flu season has an active life of approximately 6 months.
WHY IS THERE A FLU SEASON?
While an individual is much more likely to contract the flu during the flu season, flu viruses are active throughout the year. There is no clear definition as to why the flu is more contagious during the cooler months, but some characteristics and results of cold weather point to some possible reasons:
--Cooler temperatures may cause certain viruses and bacteria to remain on surfaces for greater lengths of time than they would in warmer weather.
--People stay behind closed doors for longer periods of time during cooler weather. Because individuals are in closer proximity of each other than they may be in warmer months, and for greater lengths of time, the virus is more easily transmitted.
--Dry air is a result of cooler weather. Dry air results in the drying out of nasal passages and membranes. This dryness can cause the body's natural methods of ridding itself of viruses and bacteria to lessen significantly.
--The amounts of Vitamin D that our bodies receive from the sun are lessened as the sun is furthest from us. Vitamin D is essential in boosting our body's immune system. When our immune system is lower, we become more susceptible to contracting the flu virus.
HOW TO PREVENT GETTING THE FLU
There are a number of precautions one can take each flu season in an attempt to prevent contracting the virus. Personal hygiene and lifestyle habits contribute greatly as a major defence against the flu. Simple acts like washing your hands or drinking plenty of fluids can reduce your chances of picking up the virus . Not only will hand washing reduce the likelihood of spreading the disease, but it also plays a large role in killing any virus that you have recently been in contact with. Some people wear facemasks during the flu season to prevent from breathing in harmful virus germs. Sanitizing surfaces can also assist in lessening your chances of contracting the flu. By drinking plenty of water and fluids, you are helping to prevent your body from becoming dehydrated. Because dehydration is a determined cause of the flu virus, by keeping your body hydrated, you again are lessening your chances of coming down with the flu. Vaccinations are available before the flu season begins, and are recommended for those who are more susceptible to the flu virus.
Flu Vaccine Flu Vaccine
Yearly flu vaccinations are the best way to prevent the flu and are recommended for all people six-months of age or older. There are two varieties of flu vaccines, one is an injection that delivers inactive flu virus into the body, and the other is a nasal spray that consists of a live dose of flu that has been weakened to a point where it cannot cause actual flu symptoms.
How it Works
Flu vaccinations work by enabling the body to develop the antibodies necessary to fight off the influenza virus. Once flu antigens are injected into the body, the body is tricked into believing it has been infected by the virus, and begins to create antibodies to fight off the infection. After the antibodies are created, they are stored in the body where they can be used to fight off infections of actual influenza antigens.
Types of Flu
There are three types of flu virus- Type A, Type B, and Type C. Type A flu is the most serious and can lead to epidemics. It can infect both humans and other animals. Type B is also serious but generally milder than Type A. It infects only humans. Type C is milder than Type A or B, and does not cause epidemics. Flu vaccines contain strains of both the Type A and Type B flu viruses that scientists believe will be the most virulent in any given year. Research and monitoring done by the World Health Organization (WHO), helps scientists match flu shots to the most recent and active strains of flu virus.
Why Flu Shots Change Every Year
Influenza virus mutates quickly, and each year, new strains infect humans around the world. Because immunity against a previous strain of flu will not be effective to fight off new strains of the virus, people need to have a flu shot before every flu season.
When Flu Vaccines Should be Administered
It is best to have the flu vaccine in the months before the flu season starts as this gives your body time to build up the necessary antibodies to protect itself. Your geographical location will influence when flu season begins, but in the Unites States, vaccines are generally started in September and continue through the end of flu season in January or February.
Effectiveness of Flu Vaccination
Although the effectiveness of flu vaccines is dependent on many variables, such as the health and age of the patient, and how well the vaccine matches up to the current strains of flu virus, the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the side-effects. These side-effects, which are usually localized soreness of the injection site, low grade fever and muscle aches, are not reason enough to forgo a yearly flu shot, and the Center for Disease control now recommends everyone (except those who fall into specific risk groups) should consult their doctor and try to schedule a flu vaccination before the next flu season begins.
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