Influenza also known as the flu is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. The virus is spread from one person to another through air from coughs or sneezes, the virus can also spread by touching surfaces contaminated by the virus and then touching the mouth or eyes.
Influenza spreads around the world in a yearly outbreak resulting in about three to five million cases of severe illness and about 250,000-500,000 death. In the northern and southern parts of the world, outbreaks occur mainly in winter while in areas around the equator, outbreaks may occur at any time of the year.
It can be difficult to distinguish between common cold and influenza in the early stages of these infections. Influenza combines the symptoms of common cold and pneumonia.
It's symptoms includes:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Muscle and joint ache
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Irritated watering eyes
An individual with flu should:
- Stay at home
- When possible, avoid contact with people
- Keep warm
- Get plenty of rest
- Take plenty of fluids
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Take medications to relieve the symptoms
- Antiviral drugs may be effective if given at the early stage.
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