This is an easy guide to give you information about Influenza, flu symptoms, Treatment, Prevention, coronavirus, flu virus, bird flu,H5N1, health, illness

 Flu virus prevention

The flu virus

Influenza, or as it is commonly known, the flu, is a respiratory disease caused by a virus. It can cause mild to severe illness, and while most people recover without complications within 1-2 weeks, the disease at times can lead to death.  The virus spreads from person to person in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing.  Although person-to-person is the most common form of spreading the virus, occasionally individuals may become infected by  touching something with the virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
It is important to be aware that adults may be able to infect others, not only when they are already sick but even the day before getting the symptoms. 

History

As history states there has been several hard cases of influenza.
The most famous case was the spanish flu pandemic which occured between the years 1918 and 1919 and was estimated to have killed more people in total that in World War 1. 
Other hard cases of flu occurred in 1957 in Asia, and 1968 in Hong-Kong.
Flu pandemics striked many times in the 20th century. Now days the medications and the treatment is more advanced but it still hard to fight these dynamic viruses.

         FLU SEASON     

 Flu season

Influenza usually reaches us in winter, and because the northern and southern countries on the globe have winter in different times there are actually two flu seasons each year. That’s why the World Health Organization make two flu vaccines every year, one for the north and one for the south.
Most of the influenza outbreaks in  the north are usually at peak in January-February, but this is not general as for example the influenza pandemic between 1918-1919 occurred in the late spring and summer, so the reason why flu outbreaks seasonally is still unknown.

Types of influenza  

• Influenza A viruses infect mammals (humans, pigs, ferrets, horses) and birds.This is very important to mankind, as this is the type of virus that has caused worldwide pandemics.Influenza B viruses infect only humans. It occasionally causes local outbreaks of flu and is usually confined to youngsters.Influenza C viruses also infect only humans. They infect most people when they are young and rarely causes serious illness

flu Prevention

Health officials are encouraging people, particularly those in high-risk groups to obtain a flu shot. The CDC states that an annual flu shot is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get the illness.

The best time to get a flu shot is from October through November, although you can still benefit from getting the vaccine after November, even if the flu is present in your community. Be aware that it takes about two weeks after the vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body to provide protection.

Obtaining the vaccine does not guarantee a flu-free season, however. Influenza viruses are constantly changing, and vaccine effectiveness depends on the match between vaccine strains and circulating viruses and the age and health status of the person getting the shot. Although the strain in this year’s flu vaccine maybe different from the circulating strain, the CDC states that studies indicate that the vaccine should provide some cross-protection against the circulating A strain.

Some people resist getting the flu shot because of the belief that they will get severe side effects, or even the flu itself, from the vaccine. The viruses in the vaccine are inactivated, so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Certain side effects are possible, such as soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fever (low grade), and aches.

Chances that the shot will cause serious harm, or death, is very small and allergic reactions to the vaccine, though possible, are rare, states the CDC. Most people who get the vaccine have no serious problems with it. However, the following groups should not get a flu shot before talking with their doctor:

People with an allergy to hens’ eggs.

People who have had a severe reaction to a flu shot in the past.

People who have developed Guillian-Barre Syndrome in the 6 weeks following a flu shot.

Since obtaining vaccination doesn’t necessarily guarantee immunity against the flu, it is wise to add common sense to our prevention efforts while we are busy pumping iron at the health club. Old fashioned hand-hygiene can go a long way in helping to prevent flu transmission. Although you don’t want to spend your entire workout running to the restroom to wash your hands after every set, it’s certainly advisable to make sure your hands are clean before and after the workout. Refrain from touching your nose and mouth during the workout to avoid obtaining the virus. Use of hand-antiseptics which include alcohol can also help to prevent transmission of the flu virus.

It is recommended to take out health insurance to cover any type of health condition

Flu Prevention & Treatment

You might succeed in many cases to prevent the flu by getting vaccinated against influenza with a flu c. However, the flu vaccine usually works for a year and only for a few certain flu types. The contents of the vaccine is improved every year by the World Health Organization, due to the changes in the flu content.  The flu vaccine is recommended for every-one, and strongly recommended for any-one who would likely to suffer from complications by influenza. The vaccine is available as aspray and as injectable vaccine.

Some people sometimes think that after you get vaccinated you won’t catch the flu, but this is not the case.  The vaccine getsformulated every season for specific flu strains and it can’t include all the different strains actively infecting people all over the world, so the vaccine is made for specific common strains. So if you catch the flu after you get vaccinated it is a sign that you catch a virus that wasn’t included in the vaccine. Also, after the new vaccine is discovered it takes almost six months to manufacture and deliver it to millions all over the world. 

The vaccine might cause the immune system to act like the body is actually infected by flu, and some of the flu symptoms may appear, but they won’t be for as long and as strong like they would be when getting infected by the flu.

If you get the flu, there is no magic medicine to heal you but there is a treatment which will help you to overcome the flue much easier. First you must get plenty of rest and drink a lot of liquids, your body is fighting the flu  and needs all the strength you can save. The water is neccessary in order to avoid dehydration.  Another important thing is to avoid using alcohol and tobacco.

You can take medications such paracetamol to bring down fever under the instructions of a physician.

Influenza is common also in pigs and birds and some other animals. in areas where there are high concentrations of humans and animals like pigs and birds(Like parts of Asia) the infection is more common because  new strains of flu are created by these species strains.