Everything about the Flu

During the winter season people get sick more with the flu virus. Their symptoms are painful and can be life threatening. The flu can be prevented thanks to health resources and natural flu remedies. You can avoid the flu, but first you need to know some things about it. For example, what is flu and how it differs from a cold. Which people can be easily infected and how it is spread. You must know all these things if you want not to get infected.

What is flu?

Influenza, commonly known as “the flu”, is a disease which is very infections. It is classified in two forms: Influenza A and B viruses, which affect our respiratory tract.

What is the difference between a cold and flu?

Sometimes, they have similar symptoms. Both are respiratory tract viral infections. Flu symptoms get worse with time, while cold symptoms only weaken you a little and are not life threatening. Flu can worsen your health and make you want not to leave your bed. When you catch a cold you experience congestion, sore throat, sneezing, coughing, headache and uneasiness I the chest. Those symptoms refer as well as flu symptoms, but patients sick with flu, experience also high fever, fatigue, and weakness. With good antiviral medications you can decrease the cold and flu infections.

How stomach flu is different from Influenza

Stomach flu is very common in these days. It is gastroenteritis and causes irritation in the gastrointestinal area. Stomach flu symptoms are nausea, sickness, upset stomach, stomachache, and diarrhea .Usually is caused by contaminated food and contaminated water. Influenza has worse symptoms than the stomach flu. Flu comes unexpectedly and you can’t find out when, where and how you got infected. Flu is entered in our body through breathing and settles inside our respiratory tract.

How is flu spread

If you know how Influenza is spread you can stop it on time. Flu spreads through air and is very contagious, especially in crowded places like cinemas, schools, universities, shops, clinic centers, places where the ventilation of the air is poor. You can also get infected if you come in direct contact with a person who has already been infected. Breathing contaminated air is another way to get infected or touching something that has already been touched by another infected person and sometime later touching your face. If you keep your hands clean, you can prevent flu from spreading. Wash your hands regularly or use alcohol based hand sanitizer.

Who can have flu complications?

Everybody catch get flu no matter of their age or sex. The problem is with people whose immune systems is weak and people that are suffering from chronic diseases such as Asthma, bronchitis, lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and AIDS. They have highest risk of getting a flu infection. Today there are lots of medications and treatments that are accessible and can reduce the risk of flu infection. Some flu strains can be prevented thanks to the flu vaccine and Antiviral medicines. They can decrease the harshness of the flu and delay its symptoms.

Flu viruses types

Flu can be prevented if you know what is causing it. There are three main types of viruses who cause influenza:

– Influenza A – It affects mammals, birds, humans and is the most common of the three. Different types of viruses in this category are Spanish Flu, Russian Flu, Hong Kong Flu, Asian flu and most recently added the Bird Flu. All of them can be found in farm animals like pigs, horses, duck and chickens. They can also be found in wild animals like wild ducks, whales and seals. These viruses are responsible for the deaths of millions of people all around the world. Death rates increase every year because of influenza A.

– Influenza B – It affects humans and seals, so it is not very common. It causes slighter influenza infections.

– Influenza C – It affects humans and pigs. This flu is more resistant and it mainly causes slight respiratory tract symptoms.

The flu vaccine can help you protect yourself and the people around you from Influenza A and Influenza B. Unfortunately there is no vaccine for Influenza C.

The reason why the flu spreads more in winter time

There are many reasons for that. Influenza cannot survive as long outdoors as it can indoors and people prefer to stay indoors during the winter, making it easier to infect one another. The virus lives longer in winter time and can infect anyone who inhales it. A person can be infected through his mouth, nose and even his eyes. Here is some advice that can help you prevent flu infection. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze. Blow your nose with handkerchief and dispose of it. Wash your hands with soap after that. Often wash your hands with soap and warm water and dry them with a clean towel. Assure that your hands are germ free. Try not to touch your nose, eyes and mouth if you have touched anything else. You can use alcohol based sanitizer if you can’t wash your hands. Alcohol kills bacteria and doctors often prescribe it as a precautionary measure. Sauna baths help a lot and are very relaxing. Viruses can’t survive in a hot atmosphere. The hot and moist air kills them. Steamy bathrooms help in relaxing the nasal passage, and help to moisten and thin mucus. It is very important to drink a lot of water, to keep your mucous membrane well hydrated. Hot liquids relieve the upper respiratory infections. Another alternative method for the flu vaccine and medications is homeopathy. You can look online for homeopathic treatment for flu.

If we have helped you to understand everything about the flu will be happy to leave your comment on the topic.