Influenza (Flu)
Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza, or flu, is not the same as the stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting. Flu and its complications can be deadly.
People who have a high risk of getting the flu are:
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Symptoms:
First the flu may seem like a common cold. But compared to colds the flu tends to come on suddenly. And although a cold can be a nuisance, you usually feel much worse with the flu. Causes:
The flue virus, like any other virus travels through the air in droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. These droplets are then inhaled, or transferred to your eyes, nose or mouth, through contact. |
Influenza is ever Changing:
If you've had the flu in the past, your body has already made antibodies to fight against that particular strain. Because of this, Influenza viruses are constantly changing with new strains. If your body encounters a future influenza that is similar to one you've had before your immune system may prevent or lessen its symptoms. But these experienced antibodies cannot protect you from a new influenza subtype, because they are different immunologically from what you've had before. Over history, a number of these subtypes have appeared in humans, causing global epidemics.
If you've had the flu in the past, your body has already made antibodies to fight against that particular strain. Because of this, Influenza viruses are constantly changing with new strains. If your body encounters a future influenza that is similar to one you've had before your immune system may prevent or lessen its symptoms. But these experienced antibodies cannot protect you from a new influenza subtype, because they are different immunologically from what you've had before. Over history, a number of these subtypes have appeared in humans, causing global epidemics.
Spanish Influenza 1918
The Spanish Influenza Pandemic lasted 1918-19, yet it killed between 20,000,000- 40,000,000 people. This is more than the number of people killed in World War I. More people died of influenza in a single year than in four-years of the Black Death Bubonic Plague from 1347 to 1351. Known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe" the influenza of 1918-1919 was a global disaster.
But not until a few days ago, Scientists announced they may have solved the mystery to why and how the Spanish flu killed as many people as it did.
But not until a few days ago, Scientists announced they may have solved the mystery to why and how the Spanish flu killed as many people as it did.
The explanation is surprisingly simple:
People born after 1889 were not exposed to the kind of flu that struck during 1918, therefore their bodies didn't create special antibodies to protects their body from disease. Resulting people aged 18 to 29 to die during the outbreak, which killed about 1 in 200 of victims. Older people had been exposed to different flu strains that were closely related to the Spanish flu strain, offering some kind of immunity. |
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