Flu

Everyone at one time or another has had the flu or a flu-like condition during the cold season. Flu or influenza is a condition of the lungs and upper airways caused by infection by the flu virus. The flu virus may be A, B or C.

The flu virus is the cause of influenza. There are many strains of the flu virus which are classified on where and when they were first identified. Type C flu is usually a mild condition that is similar to the common cold.

Type B flu causes a more severe illness than Type C. If infected by Type B flu, you will likely develop immunity for many years. This is the reason it normally affects young children who have not been exposed to the virus. Type A flu is more unstable, is likely to mutate and produces varieties that the population has no resistance to. They occur every two or three years and can affect whole continents due to lack of resistance.

Flu Symptoms

Flu symptoms are similar to cold symptoms. This leads to people confusing them. The main difference is that the flu affects the lungs more than a cold does. Some of the common flu symptoms will include:

• Difficulty sleeping,
• Fever that comes quickly (38-40C)
• Sweating and feeling feverish,
• Dry, chesty cough,
• Sneezing,
• General muscle aches and pains,
• Running or blocked nose,
• A general feeling of tiredness, and
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

Treating and Preventing the Flu

Fit and healthy individuals can treat flu symptoms at home with over the counter remedies from the pharmacy or concocted at home. Drink plenty of water and stay at home and in bed for about two to three days.

Using antibiotics does not treat the flu but they are used to control complications like serious chest infections or pneumonia. Antiviral medicines are used not to cure but to reduce the severity and length of the flu. They are mainly used to stop the virus from multiplying in your body.

The best way to prevent the flu is through vaccination before the flu season. Regular immunization is recommended for people who:

• Have chronic liver disease,
• Live in old peoples home or nursing home,
• Are over 65 years old,
• Care for the elderly, sick and disabled,
• Come in close contact with poultry, and
• Have lowered immune system due to disease or in treatment

The flu in one of those conditions that will keep recurring in our lives until someone comes with a way of controlling viruses. Though not life threatening, it can cause death and epidemics if not taken care of.

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